The invention provides a helical motion type pipeline surface cleaning mechanical arm. The mechanical arm comprises gear ring rails, a bracket, a drive case, a driven case, a screw rod, a feed rod, a working device and a power supply device, wherein the gear ring rails are two; the drive case and the driven case are arranged on the gear ring rails through the bracket with a roller respectively; a first gear connected with an output shaft of a motor reducer in the drive case, a second gear arranged at one end of the feed rod and a fourth gear on an input shaft in the driven case are engaged with the gear ring rail respectively, and rotate relatively along the gear ring rail; the other end of the feed rod is connected with the input shaft of the driven case; one end of the feed rod is connected with the output shaft of the driven case, while the other end is supported against the body of the drive case; the screw rod and the feed rod are parallel with each other; the working device is arranged on the screw rod and the feed rod, and translates along the screw rod and the feed rod; and the drive case and the working device are connected with the power supply device respectively. The mechanical arm can automatically clean the anticorrosion layer on the pipeline surface, saves time and power, and is suitable for maintenance and cleaning of petroleum pipelines, natural gas pipelines and the like.