What Makes This Technology Unique? The foremost quality of electrodeposited nickel bellows couplings is that they flex to fit misaligned shafts and yet remain torsionally stiff. “What do a micro-precision silicon wafer cutter, a surgical microscope focusing mechanism, and a target sighting system for an M1A2 Abrams tank all have in common?” Lori Lyons, marketing […]
Bellows
The best bellows coupling videos on the web
The bellows coupling is a ubiquitous motion systems component. As such, there is no shortage of videos about them on the web. So how do you sift through clips of all that hard metal milieu? Well, you let us do it for you. In this article you will find some of the best, most concise […]
How is shaft vibration and couplings misalignment related?
Edited by Mike Santora If you design a machine and fail to notice there is significant shaft vibration you end up feeling it—both literally and financially. Misaglignment leads to shaft vibration, which can subject the driven shaft of your motion system to load increases, which leads to components bending, which leads to…well, you get the […]
Using torsional stiffness to measure torsional rigidity in couplings
By Joyce Laird, Contributing Editor What is torsional rigidity and why measure it? Mike Parzych, Product Marketing Manager at GAM explains that Torsional rigidity is the ability of an object to resist torsion or in layman’s terms “twisting”, due to an applied torque. “While many factors may be involved, coupling torsional rigidity is very important […]
Can you answer these 5 essential coupling questions?
Edited by: Mike Santora, Associate Editor You’ve already accounted for potential misalignments, looked into thermal expansion scenarios and, well, checked to see what coupling was used the last time. So what’s next? Here, we cover some higher-level questions to address when designing the coupling element of your motion system equation. 1. What role does resonant […]
Flexible vs rigid couplings: Part 3
This is the third installment in a weekly 3-part series on flexible vs rigid couplings running through December. Here, Ruland’s Bobby Watkins shares his insight into the best options for different coupling applications. This excerpt was taken from Watkins’ presentation during the Design World Webinar, Flexible vs Rigid Couplings. A little bit about Ruland Manufacturing. […]
Flexible vs rigid couplings: Part 1
In this first installment of a weekly 3-part series on flexible vs rigid couplings, R+W America’s Andy Lechner shares his insight into the best options for different applications. This excerpt was taken from Lechner’s presentation during the Design World Webinar, Flexible vs Rigid Couplings. Quick disclaimer, R&W is not a manufacturer of rigid couplings. Obviously, […]
Motion systems application examples: Couplings
By Mike Santora Couplings are simple yet precisely engineered devices that connect shafts to transmit torque and compensate for misalignments. But many variations of coupling designs exist to complement machine dynamics and meet specific application criteria. Couplings are either torsionally rigid or flexible. Flexible couplings compensate for misalignments, while rigid designs handle drive components already […]
What role does resonant frequency play in selecting a bellows coupling?
Updated May 2019 || Resonant frequency or natural frequency is a concern when selecting bellows couplings. If not considered, an otherwise sound coupling choice may perform poorly. That is because excitation of a system or component resonant frequency left unchecked (or unconsidered in the design of a system) may cause significant vibration and (with time) […]
How do you select a bellows coupling?
By Zak Khan Selecting a bellows coupling involves considering a few important factors. These include torque, degree and type of misalignment and the level of extension and compression the bellows coupling experiences. We also must consider the operating temperature range in which the bellows coupling is expected to be used. Torque is the primary concern […]