Product category:
Drives, motors and power transmission, couplings, clutches
News Release from: Ruland Manufacturing Co | Subject: Zero-backlash jaw couplings
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 May 2006
Zero-backlash jaw couplings absorb shock
Jaw couplings are ideal for many servo applications with reversing torque since the more compliant spiders absorb shock and dampen vibration, yet the couplings are zero backlash.
Ruland Manufacturing Co has expanded its line of zero-backlash jaw couplings to include more compliant spider elements for applications where greater shock absorption is desired Zero-backlash jaw couplings are three-piece couplings comprised of two hubs with curved jaws and an elastic element
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Oldham couplings and zero-backlash jaw couplings
Oldham couplings and zero-backlash jaw couplings with standard keyways as a stock item are available from Ruland Manufacturing.
Miniature beam couplings are for micro-use
Miniature beam and Oldham couplings suit micro component applications and are offered as standard parts in twenty different body sizes with ODs as small as 9mm and bores as small as 3mm.
The spider, made of an advanced polyurethane material, provides dampening of impulse type loads, minimizing shock to the motor and other sensitive equipment.
As a result of this addition, spider elements of three different hardness levels are offered with each represented by a different colour.
The new blue spiders have a durometer of 85 shore, yellow spiders are 92 shore, and red spiders 98 shore.
Further reading
Stainless steel shaft collars prevent corrosion
With a passivate surface finish, stainless steel shaft collars prevent corrosion in harsh environments, resisting water and many commercial grade chemicals, such as chlorine and some acids.
Rigid couplings allow precise alignment
Two-piece style rigid couplings made to tight tolerances in carbon steel are ideal as an alignment mechanism when the coupling is installed prior to the tightening of connected components.
Bellows couplings operate at high rev/min
Ideal in machinery operating at high rev/min bellows couplings combine stainless steel bellows and aluminum hubs for highly accurate performance in motion control applications.
The availability of spiders with three hardness levels allows the end user to customize the jaw couplings performance.
Selecting the new soft spider element will give the jaw coupling the greatest dampening characteristic, while a harder spider element will provide the greatest in torsional rigidity.
All spiders are press fit onto a curved jaw profile; generous chamfers on the spiders and jawed hubs make this assembly easy.
Because of this press fit, Ruland jaw couplings operate with zero backlash.
This would not be possible without the special design of the curved jaw profile.
In standard jaw couplings, the jaws have a straight profile, and a pressed fit would result in distortion of the elastic element as forces push the spider's 'limb' out.
With a curved jaw profile, forces on the spider's 'limb' are concentrated to the center, improving the effectiveness of the elastomer material.
Standoffs, located on the spider 'limbs', assist in angular misalignment capabilities, as well as electrical isolation.
Ruland jaw couplings are ideal for many servo applications with reversing torque since the spiders absorb shock and dampen vibration, yet the couplings are zero backlash.
The three piece design of jaw couplings eases blind assemblies and allows for an easy mixing of inch and metric bore sizes.
Jaw couplings are considered fail safe, should the spider element ever fail, the jaws on the hubs provide a direct power transmission, allowing the application to safely shut down, after which the spider can easily be replaced.
The couplings are available from stock in a choice of seven outside diameters from 15mm (0.6in) to 57.2mm (2.25in) in both set screw style and clamp style.
A large variety of metric and inch bore sizes from 3mm (1/8in) to 30mm (1.1/8in) are available.
* About Ruland - Ruland Manufacturing Co has been a precision manufacturer since 1937, making a variety of products including the valve that pressurized the spacesuit of the first American to walk in space.
Ruland's focus for the past 40 years has been on making premium quality shaft collars and couplings.
The complete line of products includes shaft collars and rigid couplings, and a full line of zero-backlash motion control couplings: beam couplings, bellows couplings, Oldham couplings, miniature disc couplings and curved jaw couplings.
• Ruland Manufacturing Co: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
