Choosing the correct shaft coupling

Selecting and sizing the correct shaft coupling for an application can be a real headache for many design engineers. But choosing the optimum coupling can be achieved by following some basic guidelines Misalignment Compensation & Axial Motion The ability to deal with misalignment and axial motion differentiates a flexible coupling from a simple rigid type coupling. The particular mechanism used - bellows, membrane, flexible beam or sliding disc - determines the performance characteristic of the coupling, including its tolerance of misalignment or axial motion. For example, sliding disc and universal/lateral couplings can tolerate large misalignments, but at the cost of having their backlash-free life reduced. Bellows type couplings can absorb a high degree of axial motion but with a possible reduction in misalignment capacity. Membrane couplings, however, can be damaged beyond repair if axial motion exceeds the coupling's specification. That said, they can withstand large misalignments with little or no reduction in life expectancy. Where misalignment is incidental (ie caused by manufacturing tolerances) a more realistic measure is the effective radial error. This is the radial distance between the shafts' axes measured midway along the length of the coupling. Sometimes referred to as the 'composite error', this can be crucial when determining a value for the maximum permissible misalignment. Axial motion is often created as a result of axial clearances in the shaft bearings or through thermal expansion. While it is usual to absorb this with a suitable coupling, it may in some cases, be more beneficial to resist the motion, particularly if it has a positioning function. Couplings such as the universal/lateral type can be useful in such circumstances. Flexible couplings are designed to protect shaft support bearings from destructive radial and thrust loads arising from misalignment and axial motion. In effect, all couplings resist these properties; therefore, the conclusion is that those with least resistance will better protect the bearings. Load Torque, Inertia and Torsional Stiffness In applications where couplings are used to drive frictional loads, for example, pumps, shutter doors and machinery, the coupling's torsional stiffness is not a major factor as the angular synchronisation of the shafts is not an issue. However, when resonance is a problem, it is possible to reduce the coupling's torsional stiffness and so avoid conflict with the natural resonance of the machine. This does not apply when the loads are inertial. Typically, position and velocity control systems where registration of input and output shafts is critical throughout the operating cycle. In these applications, the three elements of motor, coupling and load combine to create a resonant system. The frequency of this system is controlled by the load inertia and the coupling's torsional stiffness. Increasing the inertia or lowering the torsional stiffness results in a lower resonant frequency. In order to control a resonant system, you must work well below its resonant frequency. For example, imagine supporting a weight on an elastic band. You can control the weight's vertical movement if you move your hand slowly. Increase the speed and the weight barely moves. Therefore, to improve responsiveness you require less elasticity or you need to reduce the weight. If you now substitute the elastic band with a coupling and the weight with an inertial load, you have an analogy of an inertial system. Questions to consider: Does the coupling provide adequate misalignment protection? Can it transmit the load torque? Do I need axial motion or axial stiffness? Can it sustain the required speed of rotation? Will it fit within the available space envelope? Can it operate at the designated ambient temperature? Does it provide the torsional stiffness required for positional accuracy? Does it provide electrical isolation between the shafts? Will it have the required life expectancy? These guidelines are taken from Huco Engineering Industries' recent publication 'The Designer's Guide to Precision Shaft Couplings'. To request a copy, e-mail andreat@huco.com