For the past 30 years or more, designers of highly dynamic servo drive systems have been turning to bellows couplings to optimize the stiffness, inertia, and smoothness of rotation in their coupling applications. When it comes to torsionally rigid couplings the stainless steel bellows wins in all three categories. Take for example high-speed camming of […]
Two coupling technologies compared: Flexible disc and bellows couplings
By Andrew Lechner, Product Manager at R+W America Precision Couplings for Motion For the past 30 years or more, designers of highly dynamic servo drive systems have been turning to bellows couplings to optimize the stiffness, inertia, and smoothness of rotation in their coupling applications. When it comes to torsionally rigid couplings the stainless steel…
Servometer SMC 300 Series bellows coupling
Precision bellows couplings are characterized by diameter and the number and spacing of the convolutions. The convolutions allow for a highly flexible, yet rotationally rigid coupling. Electrodeposited nickel bellows have a precisely controlled wall thickness that gives it a combination of sensitivity and high torsional stiffness for precise rotational adjustment and positioning. The SMC 300 series […]
Flexible shaft couplings from Servometer
As a provider of extremely flexible and highly dependable bellows and beam couplings, Servometer offers a wide choice between standard parts for replacement, testing, and development, or a custom bellows design for peak efficiency and reliable 24/7 operation even in extreme environments. Matching your application requirements with the right coupling depends upon the coupling design. […]
Are disc and bellows couplings similar?
Disc couplings are an excellent choice when selected for the proper application. We asked Bobby Watkins of Ruland Manufacturing to give us some insight on general coupling selection. The following is an excerpt from the disc coupling section of his Webinar, Master Coupling Selection: A Guided Journey by Bobby Watkins. “Disc couplings. The disc coupling […]
Do bellows couplings require precision alignment?
Bellows couplings are an excellent choice when selected for the proper application. We asked Bobby Watkins of Ruland Manufacturing to give us some insight on proper coupling selection. The following is an excerpt from the bellows coupling section of his Webinar, Master Coupling Selection: A Guided Journey by Bobby Watkins. Bellows couplings are for precise […]
MW Industries acquires medical-component maker LaVezzi Precision Inc.
MW Industries, a provider of highly engineered springs, specialty fasteners, machined parts, and other precision components, has acquired LaVezzi Precision Inc. — manufacturer of precision-machined components used by the medical-device industry. Located in Bloomingdale, Ill., LaVezzi was founded more than 100 years ago as a manufacturer of components for motion-picture projectors. The company reinvented itself in…
SP3 metal bellows coupling with external clamping ring
The range of SP3 metal bellows couplings has been expanded to include new models. The welded design is capable of transferring torques of between 800 and 10,000 Nm. Previous models of the SP3 with external clamping ring were available for torques of between 60 and 500 Nm. The coupling can be installed via the external […]
R+W bellows couplings for spindle applications
R+W Coupling Technology (based out of Klingenberg, Germany) has announced two new products to its bellows coupling line: the SP6 elastomer and SP3 bellows coupling for spindle applications. These couplings feature an external clamping ring system, with the base hub components held to a very high level of concentricity between the two respective bores during the […]
Designing with Metals Bellows Couplings Tech Tip
Complete the form below to download this ebook: INSIDE: How to Design with Bellows Couplings Learn the Five Steps that Are Key To Manufacturing Electrodeposited Bellows What’s the Difference Between Spring Rate and Life Cycle? Flexible Coupling Solutions from Tanks to Medical Devices Sponsored by:
R+W releases the STB safety coupling with bellows coupling connection
R+W brings heavy duty torque overload protection to dynamic precision applications with the new STB series safety coupling. Featuring a ball-detent safety element system, which disconnects drivelines within milliseconds of a torque overload event, this version offers precision transfer of motion and torque by using a symmetrically formed, torsionally rigid stainless steel bellows for the […]
R+W adds the SP3 Bellows Coupling to its high speed coupling line up
Bellows couplings are well known in highly dynamic precision applications because of their continuous symmetry, high torsional rigidity, and low moment of inertia. Many of the same characteristics…
Understanding bellows couplings
By Joyce Laird, contributing editor What are bellows couplings? According to Mike Parzych, Product Marketing Manager for GAM, a bellows coupling is basically a type of coupling design…
What is an electrodeposited nickel bellows coupling?
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…
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…
What role does resonant frequency play in selecting a bellows coupling?
By Zak Khan Resonant frequency, or natural frequency, is a concern when selecting bellows couplings. If not taken into account, an otherwise sound choice for a bellows coupling…
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…
When and why should you use a bellows coupling?
By Zak Khan Bellows couplings are most useful when connecting two components that experience perpendicular displacement about their shafts or components that undergo axial displacement often induced by…
How are bellows couplings made?
Bellows couplings consist of 2 basic elements—stainless steel bellows and two hubs. The hubs are usually made of steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Manufacturers often add a coating…
Protecting Fluid Circuits with Edge-welded Bellows
Edited by Paul J. Heney, Editorial Director Compensating for expanding fluid protects equipment and prevents leaks In many fluid power and fluid-handling applications, the gas or liquid inside equipment and lines can expand beyond normal design limits. This can be due to machine operations or reactions to changes in the environment—including temperature and pressure. Expanding…
Dampers Show Flexibility in Retrofit of London’s Millennium Bridge
by Douglas P. Taylor When the Millennium Footbridge opened to the public on June 10, 2000, it was the first new bridge across the River Thames in historic London in more than a century. Nearly 100,000 people used it in its first day of operation. But a mere two days later, it was ordered closed…
The Technology behind Edge Welded Metal Bellows
Edge welded bellows are manufactured by welding stamped, metal diaphragms into a long, flexible assembly. The key to the performance of the edge-welded bellows is the thickness and ripple profile of the metal diaphragms. The pressure, stroke length, spring rate and temperature help to determine the material and the thickness of the diaphragm required to […]
Edge Welded Bellows Store Available Online
BellowsTech edge welded bellows are now available for purchase online. With AM350 alloy material and end plates, BellowsTech is offering eleven different diameters. Each diameter product can be ordered in specific segment lengths, for a total of fifteen length options per size. Rather than the customer needing to weld segments together, BellowsTech offers the specific…
Bellows Electrical Contacts Brochure from Servometer
Servometer’s new Bellows Electrical Contacts brochure features products and specifications to design and integrate bellows into electrical applications. The catalog covers material specifications, the manufacturing process, and installation methods. Bellows electrical contacts can be used in various electronic applications such as circuit boards and circuit testing devices. Two product families are covered in the catalog,…
Linear Actuation Through a Pressure Boundary
By John Meyer, Senior Business Development Manager, Senior Aerospace There are many applications for linear actuators within the vacuum environment including pin lifters, wafer lifts, shutter valves, and others. The challenge is how to provide linear actuation through a pressure boundary while maintaining the hermetic integrity of the chamber. One linear actuator has been developed…