Zero backlash jaw couplings that are three piece couplings comprised of two hubs and a plastic element are one of Ruland Manufacturing’s new products in their coupling line.
The Spider, shown below, made of an advanced polyurethane material, provides dampening of impulse loads, minimizing shock to the motor and other sensitive equipment.
Available in two durometers, these spiders allow the user to customize the jaw coupling’s performance. Selecting a soft spider will give the jaw coupling the greatest dampening characteristics, while a hard spider will provide the greatest torsional stiffness and strength. All spiders are press fit onto a curved jaw profile, assuring zero backlash operation. The curved jaw profile concentrates the forces to the center of the spider’s limbs, improving the effectiveness of the elastomer material. Raised contact points on the spider limbs help maintain proper spacing between the two hubs, assuring electrical isolation and full angular misalignment capabilities.
Jaw couplings are considered fail safe because, even if a spider fails, the jaws of the two hubs interlock allowing direct power transmission, allowing the application to be safely shut down for maintenance.