How do you select couplings when expecting large loads?

Edited by Mike Santora

When expecting large loads for a motion system design, a few things need to be considered in addition to the usual. First, the stakes are a bit higher; the amount of physical damage potential increases, and the cost of said damage compounds. With safety being the paramount concern for any engineer, the increased forces of higher load designs needs to be addressed early and often.

The first step is to make sure the nominal torque rating of the coupling is greater than the peak torque of the application.  While many couplings have a substantial safety factor built in, this methodology provides motion system designers with the confidence that coupling will do the job.  It is always a good practice to be as comprehensive as possible when providing a manufacturer with the details that will determine a couplings necessary specifications. Often times, manufacturers are provided with limited application information, and tend to be conservative when sizing, especially for large load applications. Clearer application specifications helps puts the precise coupling in your design, as opposed to one that is simply “good enough.”

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