Couplings connect rotating shafts in equipment powered by electric motors and other drives. All transmit torque and angular velocity. Flexible variations compensate for misalignment. Many of the latter even address vibration and improve system dynamics. Design considerations include machine or installation construction and backlash, torsional stiffness, damping, inertia, torque ratings, maximum rpm, size, misalignments, ease […]
Damping servomotor couplings — New ways to use flexible couplings to minimize hunting and boost system stability
August 27, 2017 update: The full-length technical feature on this servo-coupling topic of damping and gain setting is now live. New technological improvements in servomotors have spurred dramatic improvements in response frequencies. The catch is that vibration (and hunting) tend to arise when designers apply high gain settings to servo systems and use advanced couplings […]
Reaction forces from couplings: How to prevent or mitigate?
All flexible couplings compensating for misalignment cause reaction forces, and their effect is significant if misalignment is excessive. These often-overlooked reaction forces transmit to connected shafts and support bearings, and can cause damage to motion axes — especially on precision designs with delicate bearings and slender shafts. Though couplings get their compliance from elastomeric deflection, […]