TBI MOTION ｜Ball Spline Introduction, Structure & Features
▶Introduction to Ball Spline |
▶ Structure and Benefits of Ball Spline |
▶Ball Spline Type |
▶The Procedure of Select Ball Spline |
▶Precautions of Ball Spline |
Introduction to Ball Spline：
A ball spline is a linear motion component primarily composed of three key elements: a spline shaft, a spline nut, and steel balls. It is designed to achieve simultaneous smooth linear rolling and torque transmission.
Developed as an advanced improvement over standard linear bushings, the ball spline features a spline shaft machined with dedicated ball grooves that pair precisely with the ball rows inside the spline nut. As the spline nut slides, the steel balls travel along the shaft's grooves, significantly increasing the ball contact area. This design effectively enhances load capacity and extends the service life of the component.
It is primarily utilized in applications requiring high precision and high torque transmission, including industrial machinery, automation equipment, the robotics industry, and the medical sector.
TBI MOTION『Ball Spline』：
TBI MOTION is the very first manufacturer in Taiwan to successfully achieve mass production of ball splines.
The design of TBI Ball spline is to utilize the friction through the contact of steel balls within in the Spline Nut and the grooves on the Spline Shaft. With TBI MOTION’s unique 40° angular contact design which enables the Ball spline delivers high sensitivity and extreme high load carrying capacity. The concept is optimal for the application involve with high speed, vibration, impacts of loading and precise positioning requirements.
The ball spline can also be deployed in overhung applications. Furthermore, the hollow spline shaft design allows it to adapt to a wider range of operating environments while fulfilling the demand for machine lightweighting. As a result, ball splines are more extensively applied across various types of automation equipment.
► TBI Motion Ball Spline
TBI MOTION Nut Design and Shaft Specifications
A ball spline primarily consists of a spline shaft, a spline nut, steel balls, and a retainer
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Features of TBI MOTION Ball Spline
◆High Load-Carrying Capacity
Every groove on the TBI Spline shaft is precision ground to form a perfect 40° angular contact point. The concept of 40° contact design is to increases the load carrying capacity and rigidity to handle a greater moment load.
◆Zero Angular Clearance / Backlash
Grooves on the TBI Spline shaft is precision ground to form a perfect Gothic arch. The design eliminates clearance that could generate deflections, and therefore best suited for the applications that required high precision.
◆High Sensitivity
The unique TBI 40° angular contact is designed to operate with the minimum friction while the design performs high sensitivity and rigidity.
◆High Rigidity
A wide contact angle and an appropriate level of preload are combined to provide high rigidity and stiffness.
◆Mount-Simple on Design
TBI Ball Spline is low maintenance design, therefore, when removing the spline nut is necessary due to the ball retaining design the steel balls will not fall apart like the traditional nut design.
Ball Spline Type
TBI MOTION ball splines are classified into the following two types based on their structural characteristics:
◆SL Series： Depending on the nut size, the assembly features 2 to 4 rows of steel balls, which significantly enhances the load capacity.
1. Non-flanged Spline Nut (SLT) Type： Spline nut is with a straight cylindrical shape without flange. The cylindrical nut will have a keyway and separate key. A matching keyway must be bored into the housing or block that will be mounted on the cylinder nut. The type is the most compact profile Spline nut in TBI Ball Spline product line.
2. Flanged Spline Nut (SLF) Type： Flange nut is simpler to install because it only requires a rough bore and mounting holes drilled and tapped to secure the flange to the housing.
◆SO Series： Features a wiping function while maintaining a smaller outer diameter.
1.Square Flanged Spline Nut(SOF) Type： The nut with square flange is easy to be installed to the housing through mounting holes and will be applied to 3C industry and semiconductor industry.
2. Non-flanged Spline Nut (SOT) Type： Spline nut is with a straight cylindrical shape without flange. The cylindrical nut will have a keyway and separate key. A matching keyway must be bored into the housing or block that will be mounted on the cylinder nut. The type is the most compact profile Spline nut in TBI Ball Spline product line.
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When selecting a ball spline, the most fundamental principle is to verify the operating conditions before finalizing the design. The essential selection parameters include the operating environment, stroke length, applied load capacity, dimensions, accuracy, installation space and orientation, rigidity, and speed. These factors are highly interconnected; a modification in any single parameter will trigger changes in others. Therefore, careful attention must be paid to maintaining a proper balance among all elements.
The Procedure of Select Ball Spline：
(1) Select a Type： Refer to Type, Shaft Spec to determine the your Ballspline
(2) Calculating the strength of Spline shaft： Spline Shaft Diameter、permissible load、Length etc.
(3) Service expectancy：Calculating TBI Ball spline service life expectancy by using expectancy formula.
(4) Determined the preload：The preload, a significant factor that influence the accuracy, load capacity and rigidity of Ball Spline during operation. Therefore, it is very important to determine the most appropriate size of the clearance for your requirements.
(5) Determine the Accuracy Grade：The accuracy of the Ball Spline is determined by the spline-nut and thus divided into three accuracy grades of Normal (N), High (H), and Precision (P).
Additionally, suitable products can be recommended through the TBI service life website, based on customer requirements.
Precautions of Ball Spline
(1) Disassemble ball spline without supervise of certified engineer will cause malfunction of the ball spline.
(2) Do not hammer, free fall the ball spline, such action will damaging the ball spline and might hinder the performance of ball spline.
(3) Prevent the ball spline operates under extreme condition. Contact service window when the TBI MOTION ball spline is intend to use under extreme condition.
(4) Clean attached debris and scraps before relubrication.
(5) Please consult certified engineer when the ball spline is designed to operate under frequent vibration, vacuum, extreme high and low temperature condition.
If you have any questions regarding usage, please contact TBIMOTION sales representatives.
mail：tbimotion@tbimotion.com.tw
Tel：+886-2-2689-2696