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Shaft Couplings

Shaft Couplings

Jaw, beam, bellows, Oldham, rigid and disc couplings.

Also searched as: flexible couplingjaw couplingbellows couplingrigid couplingoldham

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About shaft couplings

Shaft couplings are mechanical components used to connect two shafts together, transmitting torque while accommodating various degrees of misalignment. Key types include jaw, beam, bellows, Oldham, rigid, and disc couplings. Jaw couplings, often employing an elastomeric spider, provide vibration dampening and moderate misalignment capabilities. Beam couplings are typically machined from a single piece of material, offering high flexibility for angular and parallel misalignment in light-duty applications. Bellows couplings excel in high-precision and high-speed applications, providing zero backlash and accommodating significant angular misalignment. Oldham couplings utilize a central disc to handle parallel misalignment effectively. Rigid couplings are used when precise shaft alignment is critical and no misalignment compensation is desired. Disc couplings, available in single or double disc configurations, offer high torque capacity and zero backlash, suitable for servo applications. Selection criteria include torque rating (Nm), maximum RPM, bore diameter (mm or inches), angular misalignment capacity (°), parallel misalignment capacity (mm), and axial displacement capacity (mm). Common materials include aluminum, stainless steel, and various engineering plastics for spiders, with finishes like anodization or passivation.

How to choose

When selecting a shaft coupling, first determine the required torque transmission capacity and maximum operating RPM. Next, assess the type and degree of misalignment present: angular, parallel, or axial. This will dictate the fundamental coupling type (e.g., rigid for zero misalignment, jaw for moderate, bellows for high angular). Then, specify the bore diameters for both shafts, ensuring compatibility with standard coupling bore ranges. Finally, consider environmental factors such as temperature, chemical exposure, and vibration, which will influence material selection (e.g., stainless steel for corrosive environments, specific elastomers for temperature ranges) and overall coupling design for optimal performance and longevity.