The R+W backlash-free coupling, torque limiter and line shaft range is the perfect solution to your mechanical transmission requirements. The varied used of couplings in manufacturing, automotive, robotics, marine, aerospace and mining industries to name just a few, proves the capabilities of the product range.
Elastomer couplings are used in most diverse industries and applications. One application field in which elastomer couplings are very frequently used is fluid technology. Here, applications benefit from the simple and robust structure of these couplings which even gives them emergency-running properties in case of damage. Because of their high expansibility and strength, as well as their resilience and damping effects, elastomer materials are nowadays used in many fields of mechanical engineering. Elastomer couplings are used to dampen rotational movements, especially in areas where vibrations or impact loads are expected. These couplings are also designed to compensate for misalignments between shafts. Elastomer couplings are often used with pumps, for example, in the beverages industry, food processing industry, textile industry, dairies, semiconductor production, water treatment plants, in aggregate production and biotechnology.
Elastomer couplings, aka ‘spider couplings’ consist of two components – the elastomer insert and the hubs, which can be of various designs. As with nearly all coupling elements, the hubs are needed to connect the driving and the driven shafts or flanges. Depending on the geometric shape of the driving and driven sides, the connection can be made by clamping hubs, split hubs, aka ‘half shells’, conical clamping sets, or keyways. Servomax® elastomer couplings from R+W cover a torque range from 2 to 25,000 Nm with potential bore diameters between 3 and 170 mm. Furthermore, all R+W couplings are available with Atex compliance on request.
SK series safety couplings are employed where it is necessary to handle overload conditions due to high torque. For example, if a foreign object blocks a pump and threatens damage to or destruction of the pump or drive with a sustained overload, a mechanical separation of the drive and driven sides takes place within a range of milliseconds. The R+W functional principle for spring-tensioned safety couplings ensures backlash-free operation and great torsion spring rigidity over the entire service life of the coupling. Paired locking elements (balls) are tensioned against one another in their conical depressions. Only after exceeding the preset disengagement torque do these balls leave their conical depressions to interrupt the transmission of torque. The reduction of spring force during activation and the lightweight actuating ring reduce activation component wear to a minimum. R+W safety couplings are preset at the factory to the customer’s specified disengagement torque. A change to the setting is easily done, even when the coupling is installed. The adjustment nut is engraved with the torque range to simplify this setting. The adjustment nut’s fixed limit makes it impossible to circumvent the coupling’s safety function.
Series ES2 safety couplings are most frequently chosen for use in pumps. These couplings are available for torques from 1 to 900 Nm with bore diameters of 4 to 80 mm. These couplings combine the safety coupling functional principle with the advantages of a vibration-damping elastomer coupling. The ES2 is available with various types of elastomer inserts and different disengagement versions – single position, multi-position, load holding or freewheeling.
The use of new materials now also permits the lightweight SL series to be offered. This provides the market with a lighter, more compact safety coupling offering greater power density which, in such a comprehensive product line, is globally unique. The SLE series is best suited coupling for use in pump equipment. As with the ES2, a safety coupling is integrated with an elastomer coupling.
One of the most important types of precision couplings in the automation field with highly dynamic controlled drives is the backlash-free metal bellows coupling. Bellows couplings consist of a stainless steel bellows and hubs of various designs. The torsionally stiff bellows transmit torque and compensate for misalignment between shafts. In couplings transmitting torque up to 500Nm, the bellows are bonded to the hubs, above this figure the bellows are welded, providing exceptional torsional stiffness. The hubs are available as clamping hubs, split hubs, flanges, expanding shaft or tapered conical sleeves. The R+W bellows couplings are available for torque transmission from 2 to 100,000Nm, and to suit shaft diameters from 1 to 190mm.
For further information on R+W couplings and torque limiters contact the UK & Ireland distributor, Drive Lines Technologies Ltd, on 01234 360689 or sales@drivelines.co.uk
Ian Carr
General Manager
Drive Lines Technologies Ltd
