Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19

What are the basics of coupling installation?

By Mike Santora | May 16, 2017

Share

ruland-torque-wrench-installation-imageInstallation overview: Even if a coupling is properly selected, poor installation can cause failures, staying within the recommended misalignment ratings of that coupling at installation is critical. Here, we will cover several coupling types and what to be careful of during installation. Always be sure coupling is used within the manufacturer’s ratings. Use a torque wrench for proper screw seating torque.

The first, and arguably most common tool for installation is the torque wrench. It’s important to use a torque wrench when your tightening screws on couplings. It’s an overlooked piece of information; over-torquing or under torquing the screws on a coupling is going to vastly affect how well they clamp and, ultimately, how long they last.

Next is the shim stock or feeler gauge and shaft alignment measurement tools such as a dial indicator system or laser alignment system. With rigid couplings, for example, be sure to install screws starting with the inside two or four depending on the style. When we have a 4 screw version, the way this coupling should be installed is the two inner screws should be tightened to 50% of the total torque. Then, go out to the outer screws, bring those up to 50% of the torque and go back and bring the two inside screws up to 100%. Lastly, go to the outside screws and bring them up to 100%. This tightening sequence is critical.

For beam couplings, tighten first and before tightening the second, rotate the coupling by hand to allow it to reach its free length. Certain couplings are prone to be installed either compressed or extended. Beam couplings and bellow couplings will have the biggest issue with this; it’s important not to install these couplings either compressed or extended. It drastically reduces the service life of a coupling if it’s not installed at the correct length.

When installing an Oldham coupling, slide hubs onto the shafts with tenons at 90° before inserting the center disc but do not tighten. Place one disc on one hub and center by hand, use a shim the thickness of the coupling’s axial misalignment rating and slide the second hub into the groove until the tenons touch the shim. Tighten both hubs and remove the shim.

Oldham couplings have a disc and that disc actually moves up and down. There needs to be a gap or space to allow the disc to move, if we were to assemble this and squeeze the hubs together and tighten the hubs down we have trapped the disc at that point. This is why we talk about shimming and leaving a gap between the face of the Oldham disc and the tenons on the coupling hub.

Disc or bellows couplings: It is critical that these type of couplings are not installed under compression, not extended either, but at the proper length. Tighten one hub first and before tightening the second one rotate the coupling by hand to allow it to reach its free length and then tighten the second hub.

Jaw couplings. For small sizes, slide hubs onto shafts with tenons facing each other. Fully tighten screws on one hub. Do not attempt to press standoffs into the balance holes. Insert jaws of the second hub into spider openings until standoffs contact the second hub. It may require some force to press the second hub into the spider, this is common.

Ruland
www.ruland.com

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Configuration Management: Configuration Integrity IS A Core Driver for Business Success
  • How to Choose a Linear Actuator
  • Create your perfect machine with Advanced Engineering
  • How a ME/EE turned passion for design into his own bike company
  • Everyone Can Save on Cable Costs. Here’s How
  • How and Why You Should Use a Wave Spring for Bearing Preload
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP Awards

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more