Shaft couplings

Shaft couplings connect two shafts and transfer power or motion between them. They are used to compensate for minor misalignments, reduce vibrations, and protect system components from overload. There are various types of shaft couplings, such as rigid, elastic, and torque-limiting couplings, widely used in industries, robotics, and power transmission solutions.

BK Metal Bellows Couplings

High-precision metal bellows couplings are typically used in applications requiring extremely accurate positioning and dynamic motion. Common applications include servo motor drives, medical devices, and more.

Features:

  • High precision
  • Zero backlash
  • High dynamics
  • Torque range: 15–10,000 Nm
  • Operating temperature range: -30 to 120 °C

MK Miniature Bellows Couplings

High-precision metal bellows couplings designed for light and ultra-light applications, such as laboratory equipment.

Features:

  • High precision
  • Zero backlash
  • High dynamics
  • Torque range: 0.5–10 Nm
  • Operating temperature range: -30 to 120 °C

EK Elastomer Couplings

Elastomer couplings are part of the broader category known as jaw couplings. The coupling consists of separate components, namely hubs and an elastomer element positioned between the hubs.

Features:

  • High precision
  • Zero backlash
  • Dampens vibrations
  • Easy to install
  • Torque range: 0.5–25,000 Nm
  • Operating temperature range: -30 to 100 °C

SCL Disc Couplings for Servo Drives

Robust R+W disc couplings transmit torque through a friction-based disc pack, avoiding stress concentrations, backlash, and micro-movements typically caused by shoulder bolts. The design is exceptionally torsionally stiff and durable. R+W disc couplings effectively compensate for shaft misalignments and are ideal for heavy-duty industrial power transmission applications, such as paper machines, steel mills, generators, pulp handling equipment, and compressors.

Features:

  • High precision
  • Zero backlash
  • Extremely torsionally stiff design
  • Torque range: 350–50,000 Nm
  • Compensation for lateral, axial, and angular shaft misalignments

Disc Couplings Industrial Series

Robust R+W disc couplings transmit torque through a friction-based disc pack, avoiding stress concentrations, backlash, and micro-movements typically caused by shoulder bolts. The design is exceptionally torsionally stiff and durable. R+W disc couplings effectively compensate for shaft misalignments and are ideal for heavy-duty industrial power transmission applications, such as paper machines, steel mills, generators, pulp handling equipment, and compressors.

The purpose of a shaft coupling is to connect two shafts and transfer power or motion between them. It compensates for minor misalignments, dampens vibrations, and protects the machinery from overload or improper loads.

There are several types of shaft couplings, including rigid couplings, flexible couplings, torque limiters, and slip couplings. The selection depends on the application requirements, such as precision and the nature of the load.

The correct choice is based on the shaft diameters, the power to be transmitted, the operating environment (e.g., temperatures, humidity), rotational speed, and the required flexibility or rigidity. It is also essential to consider shaft misalignments.

Yes, many shaft couplings, especially elastic or flexible models, are designed to dampen vibrations and shocks, protecting other system components and extending their lifespan.

The maintenance interval depends on the type of coupling and operating conditions. Most shaft couplings do not require regular maintenance, but models requiring lubrication should be checked according to the user manual. Regular inspection of shaft alignment and the condition of the coupling helps extend its lifespan.

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