What Are Splines – and Why OGC is the Expert You Can Trust

If you work in engineering or manufacturing, chances are you use splines every single day – whether you realise it or not.

From automotive gearboxes and aircraft systems to industrial machinery, any device that transfers rotary motion through a shaft connection probably relies on a spline. 

At The Original Gauge Company (OGC), we specialise in precision gauges – and that means splines are central to what we do. Our role is to make sure that when a spline is manufactured, it is accurate, reliable, and verified so that the final assembly performs without compromise. 

“Splines are everywhere in engineering – but their performance relies on accurate measurement and validation. That’s where OGC comes in,” says Russell Hicks, who leads our operations. 

The Role of Splines in Engineering-

A spline is essentially a set of equally spaced teeth machined onto a shaft, designed to mate with a matching internal profile. This connection allows torque to be transferred at a 1:1 ratio without slipping. Unlike a traditional keyed shaft, a splined connection distributes load evenly across multiple contact points.

The advantages are huge: 

✅ Stronger drive connections 

✅ Greater fatigue life compared to keyways 

✅ Ability to allow axial movement or misalignment 

✅ High accuracy for transmitting torque and concentricity 

Different spline profiles – parallel key, involute, crowned, serrated, or even helical – are used depending on the load case, tolerance requirements, and whether misalignment or axial travel must be accommodated. 

How Splines Are Made – and Checked  Splines can be manufactured in a number of ways: milling, hobbing, shaping, broaching, or slotting. Each process has its own applications depending on whether you’re producing an internal or external spline, and whether the emphasis is on strength, cost, or speed.  But no matter how splines are cut, they must be measured to exact standards.

That’s where OGC comes in. We supply and calibrate the spline gauges that make sure shafts and components conform to ANSI, DIN, or ISO specifications. Without that assurance, the risk of premature failure, vibration, or misalignment rises sharply. 

“OGC’s work is about giving engineers confidence,” adds Russell Hicks. “If a spline passes our Go & NoGo gauges during validation tests, you know it will perform exactly as defined in the design and manufacturing standard.” 

Why OGC Matters -

As one of the UK’s leading names in spline gauges, plug gauges, and calibration services, OGC ensures that the invisible but vital components of modern engineering do their job flawlessly.

Our customers – from motorsport and aerospace to advanced manufacturing – trust OGC to provide precision without compromise. 

In short:  Splines make the engineering world turn.  Gauges keep splines in check.  And OGC makes sure those gauges deliver absolute accuracy.