Uses Shaft couplings are used in machinery for several purposes, the most common of w hich are the

following.[1] To provide for the connection of shafts of units that are manufactured separatel y such as a motor and generator and to provide for disconnection for repairs or alterations. To provide for misalignment of the shafts or to introduce mechanical flexibility . To reduce the transmission of shock loads from one shaft to another. To introduce protection against overloads. To alter the vibration characteristics of rotating units. [edit]Types [edit]Rigid A rigid coupling is a unit of hardware used to join two shafts within a motor or mechanical system. It may be used to connect two separate systems, such as a mo tor and a generator, or to repair a connection within a single system. A rigid c oupling may also be added between shafts to reduce shock and wear at the point w here the shafts meet. When joining shafts within a machine, mechanics can choose between flexible and rigid couplings. While flexible units offer some movement and give between the s hafts, rigid couplings are the most effective choice for precise alignment and s ecure hold. By precisely aligning the two shafts and holding them firmly in plac e, rigid couplings help to maximize performance and increase the expected life o f the machine. These rigid couplings are available in two basic designs to fit t he needs of different applications. Sleeve-style couplings are the most affordab le and easiest to use. They consist of a single tube of material with an inner d iameter that's equal in size to the shafts. The sleeve slips over the shafts so they meet in the middle of the coupling. A series of set screws can be tightened so they touch the top of each shaft and hold them in place without passing all the way through the coupling. Clamped or compression rigid couplings come in two parts and fit together around the shafts to form a sleeve. They offer more flexibility than sleeved models, a nd can be used on shafts that are fixed in place. They generally are large enoug h so that screws can pass all the way through the coupling and into the second h alf to ensure a secure hold.Flanged rigid couplings are designed for heavy loads or industrial equipment. They consist of short sleeves surrounded by a perpendi cular flange. One coupling is placed on each shaft so the two flanges line up fa ce to face. A series of screws or bolts can then be installed in the flanges to hold them together. Because of their size and durability, flanged units can be u sed to bring shafts into alignment before they are joined together. Rigid coupli ngs are used when precise shaft alignment is required; shaft misalignment will a ffect the coupling's performance as well as its life. Examples: Sleeve or muff coupling Clamp or split-muff or compression coupling [edit]Flexible Flexible couplings are used to transmit torque from one shaft to another when th e two shafts are slightly misaligned. Flexible couplings can accommodate varying degrees of misalignment up to 3. In addition to allowing for misalignment, flexi ble couplings can also be used for vibration damping or noise reduction. Flexibl e couplings are designed to transmit torque while permitting some radial, axial, and angular misalignment. Flexible couplings can accommodate angular misalignme nt up to a few degrees and some parallel misalignment. [edit]Beam A beam coupling A beam coupling, also known as helical coupling, is a flexible coupling for tran smitting torque between two shafts while allowing for angular misalignment, para

llel offset and even axial motion, of one shaft relative to the other. This desi gn utilizes a single piece of material and becomes flexible by removal of materi al along a spiral path resulting in a curved flexible beam of helical shape. Sin ce it is made from a single piece of material, the Beam Style coupling does not exhibit the backlash found in some multi-piece couplings. Another advantage of b eing an all machined coupling is the possibility to incorporate features into th e final product while still keep the single piece integrity. Changes to the lead of the helical beam provide changes to misalignment capabili ties as well as other performance characteristics such as torque capacity and to rsional stiffness. It is even possible to have multiple starts within the same h elix. The material used to manufacture the beam coupling also affects its performance and suitability for specific applications such as food, medical and aerospace. M aterials are typically aluminum alloy and stainless steel, but they can also be made in acetal, maraging steel and titanium. The most common applications are at taching encoders to shafts and motion control for robotics.