What is a coupling?

A coupling is a component that connects two shafts and transmits torque from a driven shaft (the driving force) to a driven shaft component. For example, in a propeller system, the motor shaft drives a coupling that connects to the propeller blades, allowing the motor to rotate the blades.

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Why do you need a coupling? Can’t things just be built as one unit?

The primary purpose of a coupling is to perform the drive function, which connects components to convert power into motion. Additionally, couplings absorb misalignment. When there are mounting errors or the driver and driven component are misaligned, this can lead to extra pressure and wear on these parts. A coupling mitigates the impact of misalignment and prevents damage. Components often have small variations in size, dimension, and fitting, making precise assembly difficult. Including a coupling in the design accommodates these small fluctuations without affecting the final output.

Couplings also protect components from vibrations and impacts. Motors typically vibrate, causing minor movements in the components, which can result in damage over time. Couplings absorb such vibrations, including shocks from sudden stops or braking, thus preventing potential damage.

Moreover, motors generate heat and static charges. Couplings dissipate this heat, preventing it from transferring to applications that could be damaged. Special conductive couplings can eliminate static and reduce the risk of sparks in hazardous areas.

What kinds of coupling do we sell?

There are various types of couplings available, differing in size, length, and protective features against impacts, misalignment, vibrations, and movements that may damage components.

To provide our customers with a wide choice, we offer multiple types of couplings tailored to different applications. If you are uncertain about which coupling suits your needs, please contact us. Our technical engineers are ready to assist you.

Some of our options include:

Metal Bellows Couplings

These couplings are characterized by high torsional stiffness and are backlash-free, meaning there is minimal twisting within the couplings. They transfer full torque and precision to the driven component. They are ideal for applications requiring high positional accuracy and multidirectional movement. Metal bellows couplings can also tolerate significant misalignment if used appropriately and require no maintenance.

Elastomer Couplings

Our elastomer couplings feature an elastomeric polymer insert available in various torque and hardness capacities. They provide a lubrication-free method for transferring torque, absorbing vibrations, and accommodating misalignment without damaging components, greatly reducing maintenance needs. R+W elastomer inserts are oven-cured, establishing their material properties for a perfect fit with no play or backlash.

The elastomer inserts are designed to absorb impacts and wear out faster than metal parts. Consequently, replacing an elastomer insert is significantly easier and cheaper than replacing an entire coupling, minimizing maintenance costs and downtime.

Line Shafts

A line shaft is a longer, typically hollow tube made of aluminum or other materials that connects the driver to the driven component over greater distances (e.g., in wind turbines). We provide self-supporting line shafts up to 6m in length, designed to convey drive energy across considerable lengths without buckling or whipping. Each line shaft contains two couplings, one at each end, which can be either elastomer or metal bellows, depending on alignment and torque requirements.

Flexible Gear Couplings

These universal couplings are designed for applications where misalignment or significant axial moments may occur. They protect against additional forces, minimizing the risk of damage or wear and lessening maintenance requirements. The flexible joints between the driving and driven components, as well as the coupling, allow for consistent torque transfer without energy loss.

Disc Pack Couplings

Similar to elastomer couplings, disc pack couplings incorporate a disc pack that utilizes friction to transmit torque. Instead of a single elastomer insert, these couplings contain a pack of high-capacity discs that absorb misalignment, vibrations, and impacts while providing slip-free torsional stiffness. They possess an almost infinite lifespan and high torsional stiffness. These couplings consist of parts requiring assembly during installation, allowing for variable misalignment properties in high-torque applications.

Servo Disc Pack Couplings

Based on the same technology as disc pack couplings, servo disc pack couplings offer a torsionally stiff, zero-backlash, low-inertia solution for servo applications. They come ready-assembled as a complete coupling, eliminating the need for assembly.

Miniature Couplings

These small couplings operate similarly to metal bellows couplings but are optimized for small motors and micro applications. Despite their compact design, they provide backlash-free power transfer and are maintenance-free.

Limiting Couplings

Limiting couplings protect components from torque overload by absorbing excess force to prevent damage. They can be integrated into elastomer or bellows couplings or directly drive pulley or sprocket shaft applications. Each limiter has an adjustable torque range to meet specific safety cut-off requirements.

How to choose which kind you need.

Choosing the appropriate coupling for your needs requires considering various factors such as torque and output of the driver, desired positional accuracy and rigidity, potential misalignment, vibrations, and maintenance requirements.

If you're unsure which solution is best for your design, contact our team. We can discuss your needs and guide you toward the best choice. Call today or fill out our contact form, and we will reach out to you.