Flexibile vs. Rigid Couplings
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The webinar discusses the differences between flexible and rigid couplings, focusing on their applications, benefits, and limitations. It highlights the importance of addressing misalignments in shaft connections and presents specific coupling types suitable for various automation systems. The discussion also includes technical details about designing couplings for operational efficiency in high-precision environments.
Flexibile vs. Rigid Couplings
- 2. #DWwebinar q This webinar will be available afterwards at www.designworldonline.com & email q Q&A at the end of the presentation q Hashtag for this webinar: #DWwebinar Before We Start
- 3. #DWwebinar Mike Santora Associate Editor - Moderator Design World Edward Cole Engineering Manager Ringfeder Power Transmission USA Corp. Andy Lechner Product Manager R+W America Flexible vs. Rigid Couplings Bobby Watkins Vice President of Sales Ruland Manufacturing Co. Inc. Meet the speakers…
- 4. #DWwebinar
- 17. Selecting Couplings For Your Servo Applications Ed Cole, Engineering Manager
- 18. #DWwebinar Servo Coupling Requirements! • Backlash-free to maintain positioning accuracy. • Mass balanced for high rotational speeds. • Designed for low to moderate torques—usually to 100 Nm. • Tolerant of shaft misalignments. • Maintenance free.
- 19. #DWwebinar Servo Coupling Applications! • Any automation system with shaft-driven linear motion, including: • Machine tools. • Packaging equipment. • Test and measurement systems. • Semiconductor manufacturing.
- 20. #DWwebinar Servo Coupling Choices! • Two types of servo couplings can meet these requirements: • Rigid metal bellows couplings. • For example, Ringfeder Gerwah EKN and DKN Series. • Flexible servo insert couplings. • For example, Ringfeder Gerwah GWE Series.
- 21. #DWwebinar Servo Coupling Choices! • Many servo applications do not strongly favor one type of coupling over another. • Either a metal bellows and servo insert coupling can satisfy basic torque, shaft size and lifecycle requirements. • But each type of coupling has its subtle advantages:
- 22. #DWwebinar Metal Bellows Coupling! • Typically constructed of stainless steel bellows with aluminum hubs. • Integrated clamping hubs or set screws in miniature models.
- 24. #DWwebinar Servo Insert Coupling! • Typically consists of aluminum hubs and elastomer “spider” inserts. • Clamping via set screws or integrated clamping hub
- 25. #DWwebinar • Adjustable flexibility by changing elastomer inserts. • Harder inserts approach metal bellows stiffness. • Softer inserts maximize damping and misalignment tolerance. • Optimize vibration damping through insert selection. • Excellent tolerance of radial, axial and angular misalignment. • Good torque transmission and angular positioning performance. Servo Insert Coupling!
- 26. #DWwebinar Servo Insert Coupling Application!
- 27. #DWwebinar • Keep in mind that servo couplings often work in conjunction with other power transmission components, such as gear boxes and linear actuators. • It’s important to choose couplings whose designs work well with related power transmission components. • Shrink discs • Locking assemblies Couplings Are Part Of A System!
- 28. #DWwebinar Couplings Are Part Of A System!
- 29. #DWwebinar Couplings Are Part Of A System!
- 30. #DWwebinar Metal Bellows Servo Insert Product Examples! EKN, DKN, AKN Series! GWE Series! Adjustable Rigidity! Torque Transmission! Backlash Free! Misalignment Tolerance! Damping! Low Inertia! Servo Couplings At A Glance!
- 31. Thank You Ed Cole Engineering Manager Tel: (201) 666-3320 Email: [email protected]
- 32. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Flexible vs. Rigid Couplings Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com
- 33. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Types of Misalignment Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com
- 34. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Why is misalignment a concern? • Adds stress to system components • Caused by tolerance mismatch
- 35. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Backlash, Windup, and Bearing Loads Coupling with Windup • Windup is not backlash • Backlash refers to power transmission error • Windup is posi>on error without torque error • All couplings have windup • Zero-backlash means zero loss in power transmission • Bearing loads increase wear • Excessive bearing loads result in bearing wear and • premature failure • Couplings designed to flex during misalignment produce bearing load • Coupling misalignment ra>ngs oNen result from bearing loads Coupling with Misalignment
- 36. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Bearing Loads • Misalignment exists between the motor and the driven system due to tolerances and/or system incompa>bility • Bearing loads are generated as a result and are harmful to system performance • Other system design factors must be considered when selec>ng a coupling
- 37. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Managing Misalignment • Selec>on of the correct coupling is cri>cal • Must address the applica>on misalignment type or types • Must stay within the coupling specifica>ons • Must install the coupling properly • Other applica>on criteria must also be addressed
- 38. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Rigid Couplings Benefits • Best torque transmission capabili>es • Almost zero-windup = the most precise coupling available • Suitable for shaN support and push-pull applica>ons • Low cost Drawbacks • No misalignment capabili>es • No allowance for thermal expansion • Extremely high bearing loads if used incorrectly • Poten>al for damage to system components • Very high iner>a - not suitable for high RPM applica>ons
- 39. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Flexible Couplings Benefits • Accommodate misalignment • Different styles allow the user to select the best fit for the applica>on • High RPM capabili>es • Many standard size op>ons are available • Most have low iner>a Drawbacks • Some require maintenance • Installa>on can require specialized alignment systems • Limited torque capabili>es • Both shaNs must be bearing supported • High cost Oldham Coupling Bellows Coupling Beam Coupling Jaw Coupling Disc Coupling
- 40. #DWwebinar Presented by: Bobby Watkins www.ruland.com Product SelecFon • Mul>ple solu>ons may exist when selec>ng a coupling • Specific couplings are beser suited for each type of misalignment, for example: oldhams with parallel misalignment or beam couplings for angular misalignment • Bearing loads and windup are a side effect of all couplings • Proper coupling selec>on requires a full understanding of the system requirements
- 41. #DWwebinar Mike Santora Associate Editor - Moderator Design World @DW_MikeSantora Edward Cole Engineering Manager Ringfeder Power Transmission USA Corp. [email protected] Andy Lechner Product Manager R+W America [email protected] Flexible vs. Rigid Couplings Bobby Watkins Vice President of Sales Ruland Manufacturing Co. Inc. [email protected] Questions?
- 42. #DWwebinar Thank You q This webinar will be available at designworldonline.com & email q Tweet with hashtag #DWwebinar q Connect with Design World q Discuss this on EngineeringExchange.com