Precision shafting manufacturers can fabricate extremely accurate, straight and round shafts that have near perfect surfaces for many applications. Precision shafts are products made from materials such as alloy steel and stainless steel. Different types of materials vary in physical/mechanical properties, and selecting materials is dependent on the specific application requirement. For example, alloy steels have good durability and hardening properties, while others like stainless steel have good corrosion resistance. Shafts can undergo heat treatment processes that include annealing, case-hardening or through-hardening. A case-hardened precision shaft is only surface hardened, while a through-hardened shaft has the same hardness on the exterior and interior.

Precision shafts are available as hollow or solid and in two grades which are precision and ultra-precision. When choosing precision shafting for an application, some parameters to review are length, diameter, size (imperial/metric), different coatings and the need for special features and additional operations like keyed shafts.

When you require precision shafting, you should keep these additional points in mind:

1. Search for precision shafting suppliers with large inventories of multiple type products.

2. Choose between ultra-precision and precision shafts for specific applications.

3. Find precision shafting services that can provide specialty or custom products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse online to select and compare precision shafts from different suppliers

Whether you need anodized, hollow, solid, precision or ultra-precision shafts in inch and metric measurements, there are vendors online that can meet those needs. Choose vendors with large inventories of products and then compare prices and different product lines. Select the best products and deals that satisfy your specific business need.

I recommend: W.M. Berg is a provider of hardened, unhardened, ceramic coated precision shafts in various materials and metric/inch sizes. You need to be a registered user to see the price listings. Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument is another great online source that offers a huge inventory of different shaft products at good prices. Both websites provide online catalogs and product locators. K-mac Distribution carries a selection of anodized, ceramic coated, miniature hardened/unhardened products with many features.

Purchase the correct grade of precision shafting to meet exacting specifications

Depending on the application, you may need to use precision or ultra- precision shafts. The difference in these grades is the accuracy in tolerances for shaft roundness and straightness per length. Precision shifts can have tolerances that are .0003/inch, while ultra-precision ones can have tolerances of .0001/inch.

I recommend: At Nordex, there are unhardened (annealed), hardened ultra- precision and precision shaft products in different materials and in inch/ metric sizes. These are available in various diameters, lengths and with features that include chamfered ends. MISUMI USA offers ultra-precision/precision linear shafts in metric sizes, various materials and with many features.

Select custom precision shafts

There are manufacturers that specialize in providing custom precision products in special lengths, different materials or that require secondary operations. If you require any of these services then look for experience manufacturers that can meet or exceed all your requirements.

I recommend: Lee Linear offers custom machined shafts to meet many specifications in varying lengths and has full machining capabilities that include plating and special grinds. Rino Mechanical Components also provides custom shafts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Case-hardened precision shafting is a good choice for applications where long shaft lengths are necessary.