Splines supply superior system performance

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 15, 2004

A new range of ball splines and ball screw splines are designed to improve the performance and functionality of a wide range of manufacturing systems.

A new range of ball splines and ball screw splines from THK are designed to improve dramatically the performance and functionality of a wide range of manufacturing systems, including robot arms, automatic transfer and loading units, measuring equipment and machine tools.

In particular, THK ball splines and ball screw splines provide accurate and reliable linear, spiral and rotational motion with zero backlash resulting in high precision positioning.

For applications requiring complex combined movements, THK's integrated ball screw and ball splines are ideal.

In particular, the BNS system offers rotational, linear and spiral motion in a single unit and is available in three different versions, BNS, BNS-A and the NS plain spline type, in diameters ranging from 16 to 50mm.

The BNS products are compact and lightweight devices, are extremely easy to install and offer smooth motion with low noise.

Incorporating the latest ball screw and ball spline technology, the BNS consists of a single shaft holding two nuts, one of which moves along a ball spline groove, the other along a ball screw groove.

Rotation or stop of each nut provides rolling, linear or spiral motion.

For high torque applications, THK has a comprehensive range of ball splines that provide exceptional positioning accuracy, even with high radial and vertical loads.

In particular, the LBS range offers high speed linear motion and rotation and is available in five different versions to suit virtually any application.

For example, the LBST, a heavy duty model, is suitable for transmitting large torque and supporting overhung loads or moments in a limited space, while the LBH provides additional rigidity for heavier loads.

The LBS range of ball splines is suitable for the most rigorous of conditions, being ideal for applications where accuracy is critical.

The LT, LF, LTR and LTR-A ball splines are exceptionally compact and lightweight, are simple to assemble and provide high rigidity and zero angular backlash.

In particular, the LT and LF devices also offer high load carrying capabilities, while the LTR and LTR-A nut rotation ball splines can be used in applications such as on the z-axis of a scalar type robot or for providing smooth movement on an ATC device on a machine centre.