Helical U-joints: an introduction

The following is an excerpt from Helical’s Webinar, U-joints: New designs, misalignment ratings, and how to choose suitable features.

How do we define a Helical U-joint? Basically, it is a component that transmits torque, usually between two shafts, and it also bends more than 5 degrees, up to 90 degrees, so the range would be 6 to 90 degrees.

Why use a Helical U-joint? The user may have excessive or intentional misalignment. They may have intentional misalignment such as 45 degrees or 90 degrees in the apparatus, or maybe they have tolerance stack-up, so they have unintentional misalignment. There are three basic misalignments angular, parallel, and axial misalignment.

Another trait or characteristic of a Helical U-joint is that, when compared, the speed of each end is the same so the input and the output are the same. Helical products have zero backlash and single piece design. Then they require no lubrication. The advantage of no lubrication is cleanliness. Users do not have to service lubrication over time, and lubrication won’t be collecting dust.

Helical
heli-cal.com