Every day, applications all over the world &#; like pumps, motors, compressors, gearboxes, blowers, mixers and conveyors &#; rely on shaft couplings to operate smoothly and efficiently.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of High Speed Grid Couplings. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
But what is it that makes shaft couplings a good fit for a given application?
According to Tim Zerger, IBT&#;s Power Transmission Business Group Director, couplings are specified based on their ability to handle the application temperatures, torque, speed, horsepower, shaft size, spatial limitations, as well as their ability to accommodate for any misalignment. &#;As long as the coupling meets these requirements, it can be interchanged with any style,&#; he says.
So why is it, then, that people rarely deviate from one type? When it comes to the variety of coupling styles available in the marketplace today, there is rarely one &#;obvious&#; or &#;right&#; answer in determining which coupling is best for your application. In Zerger&#;s experience, the choice is oftentimes made based on feelings of familiarity or brand loyalty.
If you&#;ve never evaluated your current coupling selection, we&#;ve outlined popular coupling styles &#; and their prominent features &#; to help you objectively compare the styles, weigh the benefits and ensure you&#;re maximizing your application life.
Shaft Couplings are transmission components used to connect rotating shafts and absorb misalignments between them. Mechanical couplings can be rigid or flexible, depending on the alignment accuracies of the system and torque requirements.
Sleeve Couplings
Sleeve couplings provide a simple way to rigidly connect two shafts of identical diameters. They consist of a solid or split sleeve, a rubber element and two metal hubs. In light to moderate load applications, sleeve couplings may employ set screws and key seat, depending upon the amount of torque to be transmitted. Additionally, sleeve couplings are maintenance-free, absorb torsional shock, allow for end float and accommodate well for parallel and angular misalignment.
Jaw Couplings
While straight and curved jaw couplings can handle high rates of horsepower, they are typically found in smaller, lighter-duty applications. The replaceable spider insert, separated by two hubs, offers a fail-safe design that allows the coupling to still perform if the elastomer fails.
Another advantage of the jaw and spider style coupling is that there is no metal-to-metal contact, eliminating the need for maintenance and increasing resistance to oil, dirt, sand, moisture and grease. Lastly, while this style of coupling is easy to install and align, repair is often a time-consuming task.
Gear Couplings
Gear couplings are compact and consist of two hubs with external teeth that engage with internal teeth of a flange or sleeve. Additionally, they have a bore capacity for shafts up to 52&#;. They are often paired with spacer shafts to span the distance between driving and driven equipment and are capable of transmitting proportionately high torques at any speed and at extreme temperatures. However, they also require diligent lubrication to reduce friction and maximize coupling life.
Grid Couplings
Grid couplings employ spring-like connecting elements that weave between slots in the coupling hubs. The high-strength, tempered steel spring is designed to isolate vibration and cushion shock loads. Unlike other styles, though, grid couplings are not as forgiving with misalignment and require laser alignment upon installation. They have a capacity for both speed up to 6,000 rpm and high torque transmission.
Chain Couplings
Chain and sprocket couplings are composed of two sprockets, two shafts, a chain and a connecting link or pin. They are capable of transmitting proportionally high torques at low speed, but are inherently noisier than other coupling styles. Chain couplings, because of their simple design, are: easy to align, long-lasting and inexpensive to replace&#;resulting in an overall low operating cost. However, they require lubrication and have both limited torsional flexibility and low shock dampening capabilities.
Disc Couplings
Disc couplings are made up of thin steel discs &#; in a single or double series &#; bolted to shaft hubs. The flexibility of the discs accommodates especially well for angular misalignment, while providing a torsionally rigid coupling. These couplings are maintenance-free, easily visually inspected and are ideal for precision applications due to their zero backlash design.
Rubber Tire Couplings
This style of coupling is essentially a flexible rubber tire with a bonded in-tension member to carry the load. The &#;tire&#; component comes in either EPDM, neoprene rubber or hytrel (urethane), which fits into special hubs and is tightened to the shafts. Rubber tire couplings accommodate up to 3/16 of an inch for parallel misalignment and up to 4 degrees in angular misalignment. Additionally, they are maintenance-free and can come fully split for easy disassembly, quick replacement and less downtime.
DODGE ®
According to Dodge®, coupling maintenance and reliability should not monopolize your maintenance team.
That&#;s why they created the Raptor Coupling, a new take on the standard tire coupling. The Raptor&#;s easy to assemble, patented split natural rubber element significantly decreases total costs of ownership and extends driven equipment life. Built for drop-in interchangeability, its innovative design also offers easier installation, reduced maintenance and improved reliability in a wide range of new and existing applications. Learn more about the Raptor and get a 5-year Limited Warranty when you upgrade.
Mechanical Power Transmission has been a cornerstone of the IBT Industrial Solutions business since the company was founded in . If you&#;re looking for the knowledge and expertise you need to select the best shaft couplings for your application, contact Tim Zerger, the Bearing and Power Transmission Director at IBT Industrial Solutions, or give us a call at 913-677- to learn more.
Couplings are regularly overlooked until a task is nearing its end. With time running out, clients regularly buy whatever a supplier has available rather than the best answer for the system.
Understanding the application and requirements for coupling choice enables the user to choose the best coupling solution.
Realizing the application details is a standout amongst the most basic and overlooked factors in proper coupling determination.
There are a larger number of elements to consider than simply the undeniable torque and shaft issues. The picked coupling should fit the majority of the application issues.
The company is the world’s best Half Gear Half Rigid Couplings supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Although a few distinctive coupling types might be utilized for a given application, each type can contrast in cost, unpredictability and execution.
While choosing a coupling, first decide the space in which the coupling will be introduced to guarantee the item will fit. Installing and keeping up the coupling is likewise basic.
Some coupling designs permit establishment and maintenance without moving the surrounding gear. These &#;drop-in/drop-out plans&#; are regularly utilized on huge, heavy gear for simplicity of maintenance.
A few couplings also require periodic maintenance. Maintenance-free, non-greased up structures are favoured and fit into generally applications.
The selection of couplings accessible to the present engineers can be overwhelming, yet pursue our rules and you will land at the ideal coupling for your specific application.
&#; Does the coupling give satisfactory misalignment protection?
&#; Can it transmit the heap torque?
&#; Do I need pivotal movement or hub solidness?
&#; Can it support the required speed of revolution?
&#; Will it fit inside the accessible space envelope?
&#; Can it work at the assigned encompassing temperature?
&#; Does it give torsional firmness required to positional precision?
&#; Does it give electrical disconnection between the poles?
&#; Will it have the required future?
Read More: How Fluid Couplings ensure hydraulic hose safety
Dual Purpose of Miniature Couplings: Motion Control and Power Transmission
The use of miniature couplings for FA is divided into two groups. The first is for &#;Motion Control&#;, which means to control the movement of systems using both the combination of stepping motors or servo-motors with couplings.
The other usage is &#;Power Transmission&#;, which is used to transmit power to the next component.
For the &#;Motion Control&#;, the most critical requirement for couplings is &#;precision&#;, accomplished by high torsional solidness.
It is an obligatory condition to choose from &#;zero-backlash&#; coupling types, which don&#;t have any &#;play&#; in revolution bearing.
Then again, for &#;Power Transmission&#;, the key requirement for couplings is &#;quality&#;, which can accept and transmit high torque.
Read More: What is Rigid Coupling and its Applications?
Type of miniature coupling used for &#;Motion Control&#;
Over a decade ago, Disk-type coupling, with all metal structure, was highly recommended because of its high torsional stiffness. However, because of dramatic improvements in motor performances, now the best coupling to use is High-Gain Rubber type coupling.
By the combination of high vibration absorption capability and the optimum torsional stiffness, Rubber type couplings avoid the co-vibration of the system and realize the highest performance of the motor.
In the event that you would prefer not to enable any misalignment and need to connect two shafts with high coaxiality, at that point rigid coupling is the most appropriate gratitude to its superior precision.
Read More: Evolution of Gear Couplings
Power Transmission
Next, for &#;Power Transmission&#; usage, a Jaw coupling is the most suitable. It can transmit high torque, tolerating sensible dimensions of misalignment.
As it likewise has vibration retention ability, Jaw type is broadly utilized in numerous applications. If in case, that you have to permit greater misalignment.
Lovejoy from Rathi Couplings is the best coupling manufacturer.
Rathi Couplings is a pan-India operation delivering high-end technologically advanced coupling manufacturers with best in class products. Reach out to us for all your industrial and manufacturing needs with affordable yet high-quality products.
Want more information on Parallel Shaft Gear Reducer? Feel free to contact us.