Product category:
Gears, brakes, couplings and engines
News Release from: Huco Dynatork | Subject: Coupler
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 21 April 2000
Backlash-free movement and quick
assembly
Huco's Oldham enhances quality and saves production time in imaging and processing of digital litho plates.
The imaging and processing of digital litho plates offers many benefits over the old analogue process but it is reliant on a backlash-free roller drive mechanism to transport plates at a constant speed "The engineering parameters are much tighter with a digital system," explained Technigraph's Technical Director, Mark King
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 28 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"It is crucial that the drive system in the processor is backlash-free as the process includes a developing/cleaning phase.
Any play in the drive would result in the brushes scrubbing the plate inconsistently therefore degrading the process quality." This is one of the reasons why Technigraph chooses Huco's Oldham coupler, but freedom from backlash is only one of several application benefits afforded by this proven motion control component.
Based in Thetford in Norfolk, Technigraph is a leading manufacturer of litho plate processing equipment.
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Its customers include companies such as Kodak, Agfa and Fuji who include Technigraph systems as part of a turnkey processing package.
Technigraph manufactures a range of processors most of which include Oldham couplers.
However, a different three part coupler is used on lower cost models which provides Mark King with first hand experience of the design and performance differences.
"The cheaper coupler has a rubber insert between the two hubs which compresses over time and ultimately causes backlash," he explained.
The Huco Oldham coupler also comprises three parts.
However, it transmits rotation through a robust central torque disc that engages the hubs under controlled pre-load to eliminate backlash.
Technigraph specifies the standard acetyl torque disc which ensures high torsional stiffness; the discs are available in a range of engineering plastics to suit a variety of applications.
Another important benefit of the Oldham over other designs is that its elements can be separated without the use of tools.
This has allowed Technigraph to make speedy cleaning and maintenance of the roller system an important selling point for its processors.
The system itself comprises 40mm to 80mm diameter rollers - dependent on the processor model concerned - which are held in pairs by a set of bearing blocks onto which the Oldham couplers are fitted.
Speedy assembly has also allowed Technigraph to achieve production savings.
"As the Oldham is tolerant of misalignment and is so easy to assemble, it saves on build time," concludes Mark King.
"I estimate we're saving an hour per unit thanks to Huco's Oldham." The Oldham is not a new product from Huco.
Nor is it a new specification by Technigraph.
This OEM has been buying Huco Oldham couplers for seventeen years because they consistently deliver the quality of performance on which Technigraph's reputation relies. Request a free brochure from Huco Dynatork ...
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