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Feature
CLUTCHES, BRAKES & COUPLINGS
FEATURE
THE RIGHT COUPLING FOR START-STOP APPLICATIONS
Are you looking for the right coupling for your start-and-stop application? You will need a flexible coupling with a tolerance for misalignment,
torque transmission, and vibration dampening. You won’t go wrong using a zero-backlash jaw coupling. Chris Gumas, director of marketing, Ruland Manufacturing in Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA, explains
J
aw couplings are ideal for systems that experience hard starts, hard stops, and/or reversals, in applications that require
high precision components to maintain a high degree of accuracy and repeatability – such as medical, semiconductor, test and measurement, industrial, and robotics. Jaw couplings have the right attributes to be your next start/stop coupling. Here are some of the coupling’s capabilities:
TORQUE REQUIREMENTS Jaw couplings can transmit moderate-to-high torque levels, depending on the insert you choose. If your start-and-stop application involves significant torque variations or intermittent high peak loads, jaw couplings can handle these conditions effectively.
SHOCK ABSORPTION AND VIBRATION DAMPENING Jaw couplings have shock-absorbing properties due to their flexible spider inserts. This makes them suitable for applications with abrupt starts and stops, as they dampen the impact of these forces and reduce stress on connected components. Their dampening capabilities lead to a smoother operation and reduced system wear.
Ruland zero-backlash jaw couplings are
commonly used in medical, semiconductor, test and measurement, and robotics, due to their ability to dampen impulse loads in start-stop applications
durometers, allowing the user to match coupling specifications to application requirements.
FAIL-SAFE DESIGN Jaw couplings are considered fail-safe because if the spider were to fail, the jaws of the two hubs interlock for direct power transmission, allowing for the safe shut down of the equipment for maintenance. Factors such as the magnitude and frequency
of starts and stops, the speed of rotation, and the overall system design require consideration when selecting a coupling type. Jaw couplings from Ruland achieve zero-backlash operation through a proprietary curved jaw profile on the hub
tenons, which press fit with the spider. This design concentrates the forces on the centre of the spider’s limbs, improving the elastomer material’s effectiveness. Raised contact points on the spider limbs help maintain proper spacing between the two hubs, ensuring electrical isolation and full misalignment capabilities.
Ruland Manufacturing Co.
www.ruland.com
Acorn Industrial Services (UK distributor) T: 0800 8766 441
www.acorn-ind.co.uk/ruland
Ruland curved jaw coupling on shaft
Ruland curved jaw coupling with flexible spider insert
HIGH CUSTOMISABILITY
Jaw couplings offer a high level of customisability by allowing users to combine clamp and set screw hubs with various bore options, including inch, metric, keyed, and keyless. The shore hardness of the spider determines coupling performance. Ruland offers spiders in three
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