How to Choose the Correct Shaft Couplers For Your Next Project

The humble shaft couplers are an often overlooked part of a project, selected out of habit based on a previous project choice. However, ignoring couplings can cause errors or simply a less efficient final product. By following a few simple guidelines you can make sure you choose the best coupling for your next project, increasing potential performance and decreasing future maintenance issues.

What are the Difficulties in Selecting a Shaft Coupler?

Simply connecting two shafts together should be a simple process, but in reality this basic task can quickly become complicated. Trying to create a perfect alignment while also adjusting for the torque, power, speed, and size of the individual shafts can be dizzying. Consider ranking the most important needs of your machine (speed? precision? flexibility?) and then use these guidelines to help you select the most appropriate shaft coupler.

Pay Special Attention to Type and Size

Shaft couplers are offered in a wide variety of sizes and often more than one would adequately meet the needs of your project. Look for the coupler that will best meet the demands of your machine. Consider shaft size, the space between shafts, and any non-standard shaft or coupling conditions. You'll want to make sure you choose a shaft coupler that can fit both shafts adjusted for the length, diameter, and bore depths of the coupler.

Consider Environmental and Operating Conditions

In order to make sure your machine functions properly, make sure you consider what environment your future project will be operating in. Do you need to adjust for stiffness due to extreme temperatures? What RMPs will your shaft be operating at? By thinking through the real world applications, you can select a shaft coupler that will operate most effectively.

Make Sure Your Coupling Will Meet Your Design Criteria

While it is important to consider basic criteria, you also want to make sure that your selected shaft coupler will work with your machine's overall design. Consider problems of windup and backlash that may occur to avoid problems with misalignment. Make sure you double-check your installation and check for signs of an improper fit. A poorly chosen coupling can be difficult to install and require almost constant maintenance to keep in running condition.

Can I Buy a Cheaper Shaft Coupler?

Shaft couplers come in a range of sizes and materials and change cost depending on their quality. The more basic the design and the less stress the coupling has to compensate for, generally the cheaper the coupler will be. While it can be tempting to select a shaft coupler based only on cost motivations, make sure you aren't creating an expensive headache for yourself in the future. It may be worth your while to spend a little more up front for a quality part then face problems with operation down the line.

What Kind of Shaft Couplers Does The Big Bearing Store Offer?

The Big Bearing Store offers keyed solid shaft couplers in a range of prices, sizes and bore diameters. The solid construction avoids flexibility making them perfect for eliminating most problems with alignment. Rigid couplings offer a cost-effective solution to joining shafts and are noted for having an exceptionally long life if properly maintained. Our shaft couplers are made from mild steel to provide high strength and a resistance to potential corrosion. Our keyways allow the shaft couplers to operate in high-speed and high-torque applications. We also offer discounts for bulk orders.

By taking the time to analyze your project and pick the shaft coupler which best matches your needs, you'll avoid costly downtime and maintenance in the future. Contact The Big Bearing Store for help selecting your next shaft coupler or for any other bearing or power transmission needs.