MECHANICAL COMPONENT

& MAINTENANCE:
3.5 IMPLEMENT COUPLE
SHAFT ALIGNMENT OR
VARIABLE-SPEED DRIVES
Prepared by:
Mechanical Engineering Department
Ungku Omar Polytechnic

SHAFT MISALIGNMENT
Definition
Shaft misalignment is the condition of
two shaft which is connected but not
adequately aligned to one-another.

TYPES OF MISALIGNMENT

Parallel misalignment, the center lines of both shafts are

parallel but they
are offset.
Angular misalignment, the shafts are at an angle to each other.
The parallel misalignment can be further divided up in
horizontal and vertical misalignment, which mean misalignment
on different axis.
Parallel horizontal misalignment is where the motor shaft is
moved horizontally away from the pump shaft, but both shafts are
still in the same horizontal plane and parallel.

Parallel vertical misalignment is where the motor shaft is

moved vertically away from the pump shaft, but both shafts
are still in the same vertical plane and parallel.
Angular horizontal misalignment is where the motor shaft
is under an angle with the pump shaft but both shafts are
still in the same horizontal plane.
Angular vertical misalignment is where the motor shaft is
under an angle with the pump shaft but both shafts are still
in the same vertical plane.

Definitions Friction
Drive

A friction drive is a simple, mechanical transmission in which

the face of a large, primary drive wheel is mounted
perpendicular to the face of a smaller, secondary wheel or
disk.
The drive wheel, typically connected directly to the engine,
turns the secondary wheel that is connected to the drive shaft.
If the secondary wheel can be moved linearly across the face
of the primary wheel, its velocity can be increased
proportionally as it approaches the center of the primary
wheel.

EXPLANATION

As opposed to a standard transmission with sprockets

or gears, a friction drive has an infinite number of
potential gear ratios while using very few transmission
components.
Since the transmission reverses direction as the
secondary wheel passes the center of the primary wheel,
it has as many potential reverse speeds as forward
speeds.
Vehicle speed can also be increased with no
corresponding increase in engine speed, making it one of
the smoothest and easiest-to-operate transmissions ever

In the most basic sense, a friction drive may

also refer to a primary drive wheel, which runs
parallel to and powers a secondary wheel.
This simple but ubiquitous drive mechanism is
seen on scooters and some motorcycles, and a
number of friction drive kits are available
commercially for converting bicycles into
mopeds.
The kit is composed of a knurled drive wheel
hooked to a small gas motor which provides
power to either wheel of the bike.

PICTURE OF DRIVE SHAFT

COUPLED SHAFT
ALIGNMENT
A coupling is a device used to connect two shafts
together at their ends for the purpose of transmitting
power. Couplings do not normally allow disconnection
of shafts during operation, however there are torque
limiting couplings which can slip or disconnect when
some torque limit is exceeded.
The primary purpose of couplings is to join two pieces
of rotating equipment while permitting some degree of
misalignment or end movement or both. By careful
selection, installation and maintenance of couplings,
substantial savings can be made in reduced
maintenance costs and downtime

REQUIREMENTS OF GOOD SHAFT

ALIGNMENT / GOOD COUPLING SETUP
Shaft alignment
it should be easy to connect or disconnect the coupling.
it does allow some misalignment between the two adjacent shaft rotation axes.
it is the goal to minimise the remaining misalignment in running operation to

maximise power transmission and to maximise machine runtime (coupling

and
bearing and sealings lifetime).
it should have no projecting parts.
it is recommended to use manufacturer's alignment target values to set up the

machine train to a defined non-zero alignment, due to the fact that later when
the machine is at operation temperature the alignment condition is prefer

PICTURE OF SHAFT

VARIABLE-SPEED
DRIVE

DEFINITON
A piece of equipment that regulates
the speed and rotational force, or
torque output, of an electric motor.
Many industrial processes such as
assembly lines must operate at
different speeds for different products.
Where process conditions demand
adjustment of flow from a pump or fan,
varying the speed of the drive may save
energy compared with other techniques
for flow control.

T Y P E S O F VA R I A B L E - S P E E D D R I V E S

Mechanical-speed drives :
Variable pitch drive
Traction drive
Hydraulic-speed drives
Hydrostatic
Hydrodynamic
Hydro viscous
Electrical-speed drives
DC motor
AC motor
Eddy current

COMBINED DRIVE DEFINITION

. the means by which force, torque,
motion, or power is transmitted in a
mechanism by combination of different
types of drives.

COMBINED DRIVES
Flexible and robust assembly system for
mechanical drive systems
Practical orientation based on use of standard
components
Quick and easy assembly with no jigs and
fixtures,
just simple tools
Safe drive with hand crank
Comprehensive well-structured instructional
material