NB BALL SPLINES PEERLESS PRECISION GROUND SPLINES

AND RACEWAYS ELIMINATE VIBRATION AND BACKLASH.

Basics of

BALL SPLINES
Ball splines are special motion control elements,
which can transmit or resist torque and linear motion
simultaneously. Think of a linear slide that can revolve
about its long axis.
Ball splines boast a number of advantages over other motion elements. Consider the fact that ball
splines can handle 5 to 12 times the dynamic load of a comparably sized slide bushing (aka ball slides or
linear bearing). Also, ball splines simultaneously transmit torque while providing a means of extremely
low friction linear movement. Without a ball spline, two separate automation mechanisms would
otherwise be required, adding to your system cost, complexity and space requirements.
Ball splines are composed of two components, a grooved, precision shaft and a special nut. This nut
contains captive, re-circulating circuits of ball elements. This nut is very similar to a ball screw nut, but
in this case, the screw has a lead angle of zero.
Ball spline shafts typically have 2 to 6 grooves running down their length. The number of grooves
being dependent on load and shaft
diameter. The 6 groove count shaft does
have the highest load capacity, but this
comes at a cost of a very large nut to
accommodate 6 separate tracks. Provided
the spline shaft diameter does not drop
below a certain limit, it is very common
to see 4 groove ball splines. On very small
diameter ball splines, 2 groove setups are
more common.
Generally speaking, ball splines
are available with two types of groove
geometries. The Gothic arc or the circular
arc. Due to the shape of the Gothic arc, it
makes contact with each ball bearings at 4
points. Two points on the shaft groove and
two points on the nut groove.
The circular arc looks exactly like
what you would expect the grooves to
Showing five varying sizes of ball spline
look like, a semicircle. If you were to look
systems. Some even allow for the
very closely though, you would see that
passage of wires or fluids down the shaft
these grooves are elongated slightly into
portion, as shown in two of the above
an ellipse. This geometry touches each ball
Ball Spline shafts. (via NB Corp)
bearing at only two points. One point on
the shaft and one point on the nut.
Of the two designs, the Gothic arc
does provide higher rigidity and lower
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NB BALL SPLINES PEERLESS LINEAR MOTION,

HIGH SPEED ROTATION AND TORQUE TRANSMISSION.

backlash, but these benefits come at the expense of ball

but you also cut down the maximum speed and life expectancy
slippage and higher friction due to the additional points of
of the ball spline. An unsupported rotating shaft is more
contact. The circular arc is more suitable for designs with
susceptible to vibration and whip, rarely are these good
low moments of inertia and that wont experience wide shifts
things to have in a mechanical system.
in applied torque. In other words, systems that can take a
The nut itself is fixed in place allowing the shaft to do all
bit of backlash in stride. The Gothic arc shaped groove is
the translating. This arrangement might be seen on a drill press
recommended for applications requiring the highest rigidity.
spindle. This type of application demands the use of a special
Gothic arcs are going to increase the torque rating of the ball
type of ball spline nut with a radial bearing integrated into
spline.
the circumference of the nut. This is a Rotary Ball Spline. The
Ball splines are customarily available in three ranges
integrated bearings of a Rotary Ball Spline are typically angular
of accuracy; denoted by the method of shaft manufacture.
contact bearings but for higher loads, the angular contact
For general purpose use with the least demand in terms of
bearings can be replaced with crossed roller bearings.
precision and backlash, is the drawn type.
Shaft end support, or the lack of it, is
Gothic arc
Drawn shafts are created by drawing
commonly referred to as end fixity, and
(pulling) a steel shaft through a form to
all types are not equal.
give it the final shape. Drawing is very
similar to extruding, except that instead of
pulling the work, the material is pushed
D2 D1
through a form to obtain the desired
shape. Drawn shafts are the cheapest and
available in the longest lengths. When
simple point-to-point movement or
torque transmission is all that is required,
drawn shafts are the most economical.
Contact area
Circular arc
In the middle range of accuracy is
the ground shaft. This type of shafts
diameter and grooves are ground into the
final shape resulting in a more consistent
product.
The highest accuracy is obtained from D2 D1
For any particular ball spline, the type
precision ground ball shafts. These shafts
and quality of end fixity, be it bearing,
are created just like ground shafts with just
bushing, or other is going to change the
a bit more attention to keeping that final
parameters of your system. Some, but not
geometry to within very narrow limits.
all of the variables that are dependent on
Ball spline rigidity is controlled to
end fixity include:
Depiction of Gothic and
a large extent via pre-load of the ball
- maximum RPM
Circular grooves and the
bearings. Precise selection of ball bearings
- maximum shaft length
contact points on the ball
dictate the level of pre-load by controlling
bearing. (via NB Corp)
- maximum translational speed
the amount of negative clearance in the
- mechanical efficiency
channel between nut track and shaft
- the natural frequency of oscillation
groove. Radial play can be taken up with
A close examination of manufacturers literature will
an increased pre-load. Much like how slightly oversized balls
guide your selection. The charts and formulas provided will
are used in ball screw nuts to eat up backlash.
assist in a scientific selection rather than the looks big enuff
When mounting ball splines, you basically have 3 options.
approach.
Ultimately, your design intent will dictate which one type you
go with.
Some factors to consider when selecting
You can fix the shaft at both ends allowing the shaft the
a ball spline for your application.
freedom to only rotate. Fixing the shaft in place involves a
The environment: Do you need corrosion resistance?
bearing at each end of the shaft. With the shaft only able to
Consider the type of steel that the ball spline is constructed
rotate, the nut can translate back and forth down the length of
from. Know that not all stainless steels are equal. Different
the shaft.
grades of stainless will have varying abilities to resist corrosive
You can fix the shaft at one end and leave the other end
unsupported. Yes, this arrangement cuts down on parts count
agents. What about dust and debris. You may have to install

Of the two
designs, the
Gothic arc
does provide
higher rigidity
and lower
backlash.

NB BALL SPLINES PEERLESS DESIGN PROVIDES MORE

RECIRCULATING BALL CONTACT WITH RACEWAYS.

brushes or shaft wipers on the nut. You may even need bellows
covering all or part of the shaft.
What are the physical constraints of the installation? Do
you absolutely have to fit the smallest ball spline that still
meets your load requirements? Know that if you do start to
exceed the load ratings of the ball spline, the life expectancy
will start to drop pretty quickly.
Accuracy: What kind of accuracy is required? Will a
drawn, commercial shaft meet your needs or do you need the
more precise but costlier precision ground shaft. Sometimes, as
engineers, it is difficult to get past
the compulsion to over-engineer
Flanged
a design. We have to remind
Ball Spline
ourselves that not everything has
Cutaway
to survive undersea conditions or
saltwater spray. We have to struggle
to maintain that balance between
operational margins, cost, and
complexity.

of automatic lubrication will be essential. Manufacturers

will usually give some general recommendations for proper
lubrication depending on speed. They might also give figures
for minimum grease fill within the nut.
Ball splines lend themselves to innumerable motion
control systems. Consider; Pick and place machines, water
jets, automatic tool changers, movement of pipettes for
DNA testing, disk drive manufacturing, plating and coating
lines, material conveyance, product assembly machines, wire
winding processes, packaging equipment, welding machines,
robotics, oh... and helicopters!

Ball
splines lend
themselves to
innumerable
motion control
systems.

RPM, translational
speed & backlash

Is your system going to

experience a wide range of load and
Rotary Ball Spline Cutaway
Ball splines are very
speeds or is does it chug through
Flange outer ring
customizable devices. Shaft sizes
the same motion over and over.
Spline
nut
Spacer
can typically be ordered from 4 to
Consider the moment of
Outer ring
100m in diameter and when the
inertia about the nut or shaft.
Seal
situation demands it, specialized
Backlash will be more pronounced
Side seal
groove shapes aside from the usual
under high inertial moments. Will
Angular
Spline shaft
Gothic or elliptical arc can be
your design tolerate the wobble?
contace
bearing
ground into a shaft. Shaft ends can
Will your design still be in
retainer
be machined into custom profiles.
spec when the manufacturer
Journals and other made-to-order
listed backlash that looked great
Bearing ball
Spline nut retainer
features like threads and keyways
on paper is sweeping out an arc
can be cut, ground or broached
6 inches out from the shafts
The rotary ball spline is for applications that
long axis? Incidentally, ball spline
demand the use of a special type of ball spline into shafts.
A method of space saving can
backlash is usually measured at the nut with a radial bearing integrated into the
be had by using gun drilled shafts
circumference of the circle formed circumference of the nut. These integrated
for running wires or fluid or air
by the balls bearings that are in
bearings are typically angular contact bearings
transfer. Surface treatments to
contact with the shaft.
but for higher loads, the angular contact
increase corrosion resistance and
To counter the lash or load/
bearings can be replaced with crossed roller
lubricity are available. The nuts
speed swings, perhaps two nuts as bearings.
themselves are always offered in a
well as a higher bearing pre-load
variety of off-the-shelf configurations. Common styles include
will be necessary. Maybe switching from circular arc to a
nuts with keyways, flanges or nuts that are shaped like a block.
Gothic arc will be enough of a countermeasure.
Did we cover everything you need to know about
Pay special attention to any cantilevered load. Backlash
specifying and selecting ball splines? No. However, you did get
will more pronounced as the distance from the nut or shaft
a brief education on what these devices are and how and where
axis increases.
they are used. Yes. You got some useful, high level information
Lubrication: Poor or improper lubrication is going
to get started. Some of the obstacles to watch out for when
to result in an order for replacement parts a lot sooner
using these mechanisms were addressed as well. Good luck in
than expected. Load and speed are going to determine the
service life of the lubricant so a service schedule or a means
your efforts and remember, beware the wobble.
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