Carburized Precision Steering Shaft Manufacturing
This steering shaft is manufactured to customer drawings for automotive and industrial steering assemblies requiring controlled spline geometry, surface hardness and dimensional accuracy. The component combines external and internal splines with ground and turned features, so datum relationships, carburizing response and final dimensional control are reviewed as one manufacturing program.
Verified component specification
- Material: 16MnCr5HH or ZF6 alloy steel.
- Spline processing: Spline hobbing for external and internal splines.
- Machining: Turning and grinding for additional shaft features.
- Heat treatment: Carburizing.
- Surface hardness: HRC 59–63.
- Case depth: 0.4–0.7 mm.
- Core strength: At least 900 N/mm².
- Dimensional control: Outer-diameter tolerance of 8 μm, roundness of 0.003 mm and surface roughness of Rz 0.7.
Manufacturing process
Planning begins with review of the released material standard, spline definitions, datums and critical characteristics. External and internal splines are produced by spline hobbing. Turning establishes the specified shaft geometry, while grinding supports the controlled final features identified in the drawing. Carburizing is coordinated with machining allowance and final inspection so the part can be assessed against its hardness, case-depth, roundness, roughness and diameter requirements.
Carburizing and material control
The current specification calls for HRC 59–63 surface hardness, 0.4–0.7 mm case depth and core strength of at least 900 N/mm². The inquiry should identify the required test methods, test positions, case-depth definition and any protected areas. Jinhua Machinery reviews these details with the 16MnCr5HH or ZF6 material requirement before confirming the production plan.
Precision inspection
Inspection can include spline geometry, outer diameter, roundness, Rz surface roughness, datum-related features, surface hardness, case depth and the agreed core-property evidence. When required by the purchase specification, documentation can include material certificates, heat-treatment records, dimensional reports, spline inspection results and agreed control or traceability records. See the quality inspection and process-control page for our wider workflow.
Applications and project inputs
This type of carburized shaft is reviewed for steering assemblies where spline engagement, hardened surfaces and precision shaft features must be controlled together. The customer defines the load case, mating parts, functional safety requirements and final design validation.
- 2D drawing and available 3D model
- Material grade and governing standard
- External and internal spline definitions
- Carburizing, hardness, case-depth and core requirements
- Critical datums, tolerances, roundness and roughness
- Prototype quantity, annual demand and delivery schedule
- Inspection documents, certificates and traceability requirements
Review related spline shaft manufacturing capabilities or contact Jinhua Machinery for a drawing-based quotation.