Ball Spline

Ball splines are mechanical transmission components that use steel balls to perform rolling motion between the precision grooves of a spline shaft and a spline nut. Compared with conventional sliding splines, they overcome the drawbacks of high friction resistance and wear, while enabling high-precision linear reciprocating motion and stable transmission of high torque. With high transmission sensitivity, high rigidity, long service life, and the ability to eliminate rotational backlash through preload, ball splines have become critical guiding and transmission components in modern precision automation equipment, industrial robots, and semiconductor processing equipment.

A ball spline mainly consists of a spline shaft, spline nut, steel balls, retainer, and ball recirculation components. Precision circular arc raceways are machined on the surface of the spline shaft, allowing the steel balls to circulate continuously through the raceways and return passages inside the spline nut. Through the geometric design of the precision contact angle, the spline nut and shaft maintain smooth rolling contact while simultaneously withstanding radial loads and rotational torque.

• Robotics and Automation: Vertical rotary axes (Z/θ axes) of SCARA industrial robots, Cartesian robots, automatic assembly machines, and material handling mechanisms (Pick & Place).
• Electronics and Semiconductor Machinery: Semiconductor wafer handling equipment, IC packaging and testing equipment, and suction nozzle shafts for high-speed SMT placement machines.
• Precision Machine Tools: Automatic tool changers (ATC), grinding machine spindle guide mechanisms, and dedicated machining machines.
• Medical and Inspection Equipment: Optical inspection machines (AOI), precision material handling devices for medical applications, and material testing machines requiring both linear travel and rotary positioning.

1. High Torque Transmission and Smooth Operation: The precision contact design between the balls and raceways enables high torque transmission during high-speed, smooth linear motion, while providing high rigidity and zero-backlash positioning performance.
2. Customized Shaft Ends: In addition to standard catalog specifications, shaft ends and keyways can be machined according to customer-provided drawings to meet diverse mechanical design requirements.
3. Customizable Overall Length: The spline shaft length can be specified in 1 mm increments, allowing flexible adaptation to machine space and stroke requirements.
4. Stock Availability: Standard specifications are kept in stock. Orders of up to 20 sets can be shipped within 8 working days, helping shorten lead times.
5. Fully Protective Packaging: The outer packaging uses specially designed, rigid and durable protective paper boxes that can withstand heavy pressure and impact, ensuring that precision components remain undamaged during transportation.