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This section provides an overview for ball bearing splines as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 6 ball bearing spline manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked ball bearing spline companies as of January, 2025: 1.NIPPON BEARING CO., LTD., 2.Ozak Seiko Co., Ltd., 3.Thomson.
Table of Contents
A ball bearing spline is one of the linear motion bearings and is a mechanical element used mainly where smooth linear motion is desired.
A ball bearing spline has a spline, which is a groove continuously dug in the longitudinal direction of the shaft that serves as the axis of linear motion. By sandwiching it on top of the shaft by an outer cylindrical part called a spline nut, smooth axial motion and rotational motion can be achieved on a single axis.
A ball bearing spline has several similar machine elements, but among them, it is the most suitable machine element when a smooth linear movement and rotational movement around an axis are also to be conveyed, while taking a relatively large load.
Ball bearing splines are used in a variety of industrial machinery in situations where rotational and vertical motion are required simultaneously. For example, ball bearing splines are used in robot arm movements and in rotary polishing equipment, where the ball bearing must rotate and press against the workpiece at the same time.
ball bearing splines are also used in conveyor systems and other applications that require smooth, long-stroke single-axis motion.
A ball bearing spline transmits rotational torque by means of rolling balls and a spline fit. First, the rolling motion consists of multiple guide grooves on the outside of the shaft, which serves as a guide, and multiple steel balls rolling between elliptical orbits of arbitrary curvature on the inside of an outer cylindrical part called a spline nut.
The steel balls are coated with lubricant and roll between the spline nut and the spline shaft with very little friction. On the other hand, when the shaft rotates, the steel balls are fitted in the spline groove, so the shaft and spline nut do not shift in the direction of rotation. These two mechanisms allow linear motion along the spline shaft and rotational motion on a single shaft.
The internal structure of all ball bearing splines is almost the same. However, the load and torque that can be handled vary depending on the spline shaft size and other factors. Therefore, it is important to select the appropriate spline shaft size according to the design of the equipment to be used.
It is also essential to consider options that suit the operating environment, such as using a stainless steel material if the equipment is expected to be used in a space with corrosive gases or humidity, or changing the ball lubricant to a special lubricant for situations where high cleanliness is required.
A rotary ball spline is a mechanical element with a mechanism that allows linear and rotary motion in a single assembly. It is characterized by the addition of a mechanism called a cross roller for smooth rotational motion, which is independent of the standard ball bearing spline.
The integral nature of the spline and rotating part allows for a significant reduction in the number of parts compared to conventional mechanisms, and reduces the accumulated errors in installation. In addition, the cross roller is placed directly on the outer sleeve of the ball bearing spline, making it lightweight and compact. It is lighter and easier to install than conventional mechanisms.
Rotary ball splines are used in assembly machines, loaders, and laser milling machines, including horizontally articulated industrial robots called SCARA robots.
Linear bushings are rolling-guided linear motion mechanisms and are used in combination with linear shafts to provide infinite linear motion using the rolling of steel balls. The most obvious difference from the outside is that a ball bearing spline has a spline groove on the shaft, while a linear bush has no groove on the shaft.
In a linear bushing, the balls are arranged in a straight line with respect to the bushing, and the balls slide in point contact with the shaft. In contrast, in a ball bearing spline, the balls roll over the grooves on the spline shaft, so the contact area between the balls and the shaft is large and they do not shift in the direction of rotation, so torque can be transmitted at the same time.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd., founded in 1955, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is a subsidiary of Schaeffler Group, a German manufacturer and supplier of precision components and systems for automotive and industrial applications. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including bearings, precision components, and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis applications. The company’s products are utilized in various industries, ensuring the upmost performance. The company also offers a range of customer services, including technical assistance, product consulting, and after-sales support.
THK Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. THK is a manufacturer and supplier of machine components such as linear motion components for customers globally. THK’s products are used in many industries including electronics, aerospace, industrial robots, and precision instruments. THK’s primary product categories are Linear Motion, Feed Screw, Rotation, Custom Assemblies, and Seismic Isolation. Linear Motion products assist in linear motion and transportation. They include linear motion actuators, guides, and rollers. Feed screws include ball screws, screw nuts, and change nuts. Seismic Isolation includes both large systems and small guides.
Nippon Bearing was established in 1939 and is headquartered in Ojiya-City, Niigata, Japan as a manufacturer of linear motion products. The company is known for producing linear bearings, and some of its other products include Linear and Slide Guides, Ball Splines, Cross Roller Guides, and Linear Bushings. These items have extensive use in industries that work with optical equipment and high-precision measurements as the products have motion accuracy as well as rigidity. The company also provides parts and tools for general machinery as well.
Thomson Industries, headquartered in the United States, is a global manufacturer of motion control solutions since 1936. They have been one of the forerunners in the motion technology industry with products supplying optimized motion solutions to a broad range of industries and application areas including factory automation, medical, aerospace and defense, and more. The company merged with Regal Rexnord in 2023 as a key business in the automation and specialty platform. As part of Regal Rexnord, they are even more equipped to provide complete system solutions through their control, drive, power transmission and precision linear motion technologies.
Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. - IKO is based in Japan and was established in 1950 as a manufacturer of bearings. The company designs Linear Motion Rolling guides and Mechatronics series and they were the first to produce Needle Roller Bearings. These products have vast applications in various industries as they are used in Electronics-related Devices and Equipment like semiconductors and for precision devices that are used in laboratory measuring instruments and medical equipment. Textile, printing, construction, transportation, and robotics are also on the list of industries that benefit from IKO products.
Ranking as of January 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NIPPON BEARING CO., LTD. |
26.5%
|
| 2 | Ozak Seiko Co., Ltd. |
23.5%
|
| 3 | Thomson |
17.6%
|
| 4 | NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD. |
11.8%
|
| 5 | THK U.K. |
11.8%
|
| 6 | Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd. |
8.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the ball bearing spline page as of January 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
5 | 100.0% |
49 products found
49 products
Ozak Seiko Co., Ltd.
340+ people viewing
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
Standard Response
Easy to move and transmit torque transmission reasonable spline ■ Characteristics ・ Miniature type ・ Axis vs. 3, 4, 5 ・ Axis length: Up to 300m...
6 models listed
KSS Co., Ltd.
520+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Standard Response
This is a collaboration product between a ball screw manufacturer and a ball spline manufacturer that pursues hybrid, compact, and lightweight desi...
8 models listed
KSS Co., Ltd.
200+ people viewing
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
Standard Response
This is a collaboration product between a ball screw manufacturer and a ball spline manufacturer that pursues hybrid, compact, and lightweight desi...
2 models listed
KSS Co., Ltd.
230+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
Standard Response
This is a collaboration product between a ball screw manufacturer and a ball spline manufacturer that pursues hybrid, compact, and lightweight desi...
3 models listed
KSS Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
Standard Response
◼︎Product overview The ball screw is splined, allowing combined linear (Z) and rotational (θ) motion on a single axis. Air adsorption can also be p...
Ozak Seiko Co., Ltd.
520+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Standard Response
How to use 3 ways with high accuracy and high load capacity 1 axis ■ Characteristics ・ Axial diameter: φ6 ~ φ30 ・ Axis length: Up to 3m ・ Stand...
10 models listed
Ozak Seiko Co., Ltd.
350+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 hours ago
Standard Response
How to use 3 ways with high accuracy and high load capacity 1 axis ■ Characteristics ・ Axial diameter: φ6 ~ φ30 ・ Axis length: Up to 3m ・ Stand...
8 models listed
Nippon Dick Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
Standard Response
5.0 Company Review
■Summary The C-Lube Ball Spline G incorporates the lubricating component C-Lube into the IKO Ball Spline G, which boasts an overwhelming market sha...
Hatashige Shoten Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
Very Fast Response
■Ball spline Ball spline is a spline bearing with rolling guide. This revolutionary product has a ball rolling through a groove on the shaft, allow...
Hatashige Shoten Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 9 hours ago
Very Fast Response
■Spline nut Spline nuts DPM type/DP type are low-cost bearings that are die-cast from a special alloy using a highly accurate spline shaft as the c...
