Flexible shaft coupling avoids stress

An Abssac product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 4, 2006

The flawless production techniques of the Heli-Cal beam flexible shaft coupling avoid stress-raising areas found in other cross-slot designs.

The flawless production techniques of the Heli-Cal beam flexible shaft coupling avoid stress-raising areas found in other cross-slot designs.

Cross slot designs have their purpose if torsional stiffness within the system is of paramount importance and that angular and parallel shaft misalignments are minimal.

However, once any shaft misalignment is added to the system the nature of their design means that they are prone to fatigue.

Most importantly, it is the way in which the start and finish of the slot is manufactured that raises more stress within the cross-slot design.

With any Heli-Cal beam, slot or slit style flexible coupling it is imperative that the start and finish of the slit is finished smoothly and without scarring or swarf residue, as this will shorten the working life of the shaft coupling dramatically.

The way in which other designs are manufactured results in a relatively sharp edge that may act as a stress riser in the more arduous of applications.

In certain cases this stress riser is where a crack will form and most likely lead to a complete failure of the part.

With over 35 years of experience in the production of the Heli-Cal beam style shaft couplings, the skilful manufacturing processes employed ensure a clean start and finish to the flexure beam element.

As standard, all Heli-Cal shaft couplings are then shot peaned and hard anodised to further reduce the stress raisers within the coupling to make a more reliable part.

For more arduous applications a stress relieving hole is incorporated at the start and finish of the coils.

This reduces the stress concentration by taking the existing sharp edge and modifying it to be a smooth transition from the flexure to the solid hubs.

A stress relief can drastically increase the life of the coupling or spring.

Find out more about this article. Request a brochure, download technical specifications and request samples here.

Not what you're looking for? Search the site.

Back to top Back to top

Contact Abssac

Tel +44 1386 833301

Other Abssac stories

Newsletter sign up

Request your free weekly copy of the Engineeringtalk email newsletter ...

Browse by category

All suppliers A - Z

A Pro-talk Publication

A Pro-talk publication