Understanding Couplings and Its Different Types
December 14, 2020A lot of devices and equipment today are utilizing different hardware devices just to carry out their intended functions and purposes. Some of the hardware devices that several devices and pieces of equipment have are bushings, bearings, seals, valves, and many more. Another type of hardware device that these products use all the time is couplings.
Primary Overview of Couplings
Couplings are hardware devices that are intended to connect the ends of two shafts so they can effectively transmit torque. The attachment of couplings allows two pieces of a rotating component to join firmly while granting them with some degree of misalignment, end movement, or both.
As mentioned, one primary function of couplings is to transmit torque from one side to another while permitting and absorbing the misalignment or mounting error that happens between the two parts. Whenever both the power and speed are transmitted, they often result in the transmission of torque, which then makes a machine operational. Another function of couplings is to compensate for misalignment. From axial to angular misalignments, couplings can easily compensate them during operations.
With their abilities to transmit torque and compensate misalignment, couplings can easily provide smooth operations to devices and pieces of equipment. They can likewise provide enough protection against overloads, reduce transmission of shock loads, and introduce flexibility while transmitting power.
Different Types of Couplings
Couplings can be categorised into two types: material flexing and mechanical flexing. Material flexing couplings boast great flexibility thanks to their material composition. Most of these couplings do not require lubrication. Mechanical flexing couplings, alternatively, can compensate misalignment from rocking, rolling, or sliding of surfaces made of metal. These couplings generally need lubrication.
- Material Flexing Couplings: Some types of material flexing couplings are jaw, sleeve, and disc. Jaw couplings are couplings that can transmit torque through the compression of the elastomeric spider insert that is located between two interlocking jaws. These couplings are great for low torque and general-purpose applications. Sleeve couplings, alternatively, can easily transmit low to medium torque to general-purpose applications thanks to their elastomeric insert that have interconnected splines. Disc couplings are couplings that can transmit torque through their flexing disc elements. They generally allow angular parallel and axial alignment and have high-speed rating and balance.
- Mechanical Flexing Couplings: As for mechanical flexing couplings, some great types of these couplings are gear, grid, and roller chain. Gear couplings are couplings that can easily transmit a high amount of torque. With periodic lubrication, they can easily accommodate angular and axial misalignment and last for decades. Grid couplings, on the other hand, are known for transmitting torque and accommodating angular, parallel, and axial misalignment through the rocking and sliding of a tapered grid. Roller chain couplings are utilised in applications that require low to moderate torque and speed. Similar to other mechanical flexing couplings, they also need periodic lubrication.
Shop on Global Bearing Imports
If you want to obtain couplings for your applications, just give us a call at Global Bearing Imports. We have many years of expertise in the area of sourcing and supplying difficult to identify and locate bearings of all types to the industry as well as competitive pricing of quality bearings through the ZEN Brand. We also offer superior service and reliability to meet your needs, for both large and small enquiries.
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