Stepping up to the challenges presented by the design engineering community, R+W continues to push the envelope in terms of connecting elements for highly dynamic servo drive systems. Stainless steel bellows couplings have been well known for many years as the flexible coupling with the highest torsional stiffness; used for position accuracy, load control and maintaining system stability in the face of inertia mismatch. Their low moment of inertia and relatively light restoring forces under misalignment have made them the ideal precision coupling for high performance drive systems. In 2009 R+W not only enhanced these features, but addressed the one most limiting factor in the use of bellows couplings
Single flex bellows couplings compensate for some misalignment between shafts, but certainly not the most. While the majority of machine layouts facilitate shaft alignment tolerances well within the limits of standard bellows couplings, some situations simply require a more flexible element, historically at a compromise to the quality of servo coupling which can be used. For example when motors and gearboxes are to be mounted to a different surface than the driven shaft, as is the case is many printing, packaging and material handling machines, shaft alignment becomes exponentially more difficult. Engineers are faced with two choices: either manually align the shafting to precise tolerances, which is often easier said than done, or use a coupling with a large outside diameter and reduced torsional stiffness, reducing the speed at which the entire axis can be run and indexed.
The trend in industry to process more material, faster and more efficiently calls for a high torque, high misalignment coupling, with minimal compromise to torsional stiffness. Building upon more than 20 years experience in the design and development of precision couplings, R+W launched the innovative new BKZ model. Utilizing a special, high stiffness bellows and new, high strength connection method, the BKZ handles an average of 2.6x the traditional torque rating at a given outside diameter, and an average of 2.9x more lateral misalignment, opening up the benefits of precision bellows couplings to a whole new segment of machine design and servo motion control.
Accepting bore diameters ranging from 15 – 60mm and torque ratings from 20 – 1000Nm, the BKZ range is available in 4 sizes, with a variety of materials, finishes and the optional self-opening clamp system. But this is just one of many of the unique products R+W develops for its customers’ unique applications every day. Instead of compromising motion systems, contact R+W for the right solution, and get THE ULTIMATE COUPLING.