THK’s Rod End with Male Thread represents a precision-engineered spherical plain bearing solution designed to accommodate angular misalignment while transmitting rotational or linear motion in demanding industrial applications. This component features a high-carbon chromium bearing steel inner ring heat-treated to HRC 58-64, paired with a pressed steel outer ring that ensures durability under oscillating or rotating movements. The male thread—available in metric and imperial specifications—enables direct installation into threaded mounting points without additional adapters, simplifying assembly in constrained spaces. A critical design element is its integrated lubrication system: the rod end contains grease reservoirs and lubrication holes that permit periodic regreasing using standard grease nipples. This maintenance feature significantly extends service life by flushing out contaminant particles and replenishing the special low-torque, high-temperature resistance grease pre-applied during manufacturing.
Performance advantages stem from THK’s proprietary surface treatment technologies and precision manufacturing tolerances. The ball slides within a hardened raceway with a surface finish of 0.2 μm Ra maximum, achieving a friction coefficient of just 0.003-0.007 under lubricated conditions. This ultra-low friction enables smooth articulation up to ±25° angular misalignment while maintaining positional accuracy within 0.05mm. The component’s corrosion resistance is enhanced through black oxide coating or zinc nickel plating options, withstanding operational temperatures from -30°C to +120°C. Compared to standard rod ends, THK’s design demonstrates 40% higher dynamic load capacity due to optimized contact stress distribution, alongside 30% longer lifespan under high-frequency oscillation conditions. Vibration damping characteristics absorb shock loads up to 15G acceleration without compromising motion transmission accuracy.
In industrial machinery, these rod ends serve as crucial linkages in packaging equipment articulation joints, where they maintain precision in repetitive pick-and-place motions while resisting contamination from food particles or industrial dust. Automotive steering systems utilize them in tie rod connections, where their sealed design prevents road salt ingress while providing the necessary angular compliance for wheel alignment adjustments. Robotics applications employ them in parallel manipulator arms, where low torque characteristics reduce servo motor loads during continuous path tracing operations. For precision equipment, they function in optical instrument positioning stages, maintaining sub-micron repeatability through elimination of stick-slip phenomena. The regreasing capability proves particularly valuable in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, where continuous operation necessitates maintenance without disassembly in cleanroom environments. Through these implementations, THK’s Rod End with Male Thread delivers reliable angular motion compensation while addressing lubrication challenges across diverse motion control scenarios.