Grooves on the surface of these shafts transmit rotary power while allowing bearings to move freely along the length of the shaft. The edges are chamfered to remove sharp corners, reducing damage to bearings, housings, and other components during installation. All are turned, ground, and polished to tight diameter and straightness tolerances.

Four Splines

Shafts with four splines work with ball spline bearings, which create relatively little friction. They're commonly found in robotic and other automated systems that require complex, fast movements. They don't transmit as much torque as shafts with six splines.

All four-spline shafts are 52100 alloy steel for high strength. They're case-hardened to increase hardness and wear resistance on the surface of the shaft while allowing the center to remain soft for absorbing stresses caused by shifting loads.

Some of our four-spline shafts have a step-down end, which has been ground smooth and round like a standard shaft. Mount bearings, gears, and other round-bore components.

Six Splines

Large, evenly spaced splines transmit high-torque loads, such as those found in hydraulic systems, drivetrains, and machine tools. These shafts work with plain bearings, which means they're not meant for high-speed positioning applications. Made of 1045 steel, they're strong but also machinable, so you can modify the ends to fit into your mounting fixtures. All meet ISO 14-B (formerly DIN 5463-B) to ensure they work with bearings that meet ISO 14-A.