Oldham couplings are constant velocity couplings used for connecting two parallel shafts that are close together and run at the same speed. They are composed of three parts: a center piece sandwiched in between two hubs. The two hubs of Oldham couplings are generally made out of steel, stainless steel or aluminum while the center component is usually a plastic material and rarely metal. Torque transmission is accomplished by interlocking the slots of the center piece with the drive tenons of the hubs. They fit together by snapping into place, which creates zero backlash.
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R + W America, LPBensenville, IL 888-479-8728 R+W employs a talented team of engineers focused on the development of new products and custom solutions based on customer-specific application requirements. R+W`s engineers work daily with 3D modeling programs, FEA software and Matlab analysis programs and new product developments are analyzed and tested on state of the art test equipment. For cutting edge Oldham couplings, turn to R+W.
Guardian Industries, Inc.Michigan City, IN 219-874-5248 Guardian Industries provides the highest quality Oldham couplings from design concept through manufacturing using the most current technologies available. Guardian's competitively priced products and industry-best delivery time guarantees you the quality solutions you need, when you need them. Guardian puts its customers' needs first and will do what it takes to deliver only the best.
Elbe & Sohn Inc.South Haven, MI 269-637-7999 For more than 80 years, Elbe & Sohn, Inc. has been a pioneer in the power transmission field, whose experience, reliability and service are appreciated worldwide. If you're in the market for superior Oldham couplings unparalleled in the industry, please call today to speak with an experienced professional or visit Elbe & Sohn's website for full product listings and descriptions.
Ringfeder Power TransmissionWestwood, NJ 888-746-4333 After many years providing quality products and services for numerous customers from a wide range of markets- such as the energy, transportation, mining, packaging, automations and defense industries-Ringfeder PT has developed into the go-to leader of its kind and its experienced professionals can manufacture the Oldham couplings you need- on time and at an affordable price.
DieQua CorporationBloomingdale, IL 630-980-1133 DieQua's dedicated & knowledgeable staff understands the importance of designing and delivering the perfect Oldham couplings to satisfy your requirements and has been trained and empowered to meet your needs from application analysis to order expediting and everything in between. They encourage you to contact them with your power transmission and motion challenges. Call today!
Stafford Manufacturing Corp.Wilmington, MA 800-695-5551 For superior Oldham couplings, turn to the experts! With almost 40 years of experience, Stafford is your quality source. If you need technical support, they will connect you with an engineer to assist you-and your quote will be turned around in 24 hours or less! What's more, Stafford has no order minimums. Whether your need is for just one or thousands, Stafford can be your "in-house" machine shop
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Oldham couplings are flexible and designed for general
purpose use up to 4000 rotations per minute because they have few
disadvantages. Their only disadvantages are their limited angular
displacement of shafts and their need for lubrication. This type of
coupling allows less than half a degree of angular misalignment and
less than 0.005 inches of axial motion. The axial motion is limited by
the design of the coupling which cannot accommodate push-pull motion.
Because the center piece is essentially floating, both shafts must be
supported to keep the coupling from coming apart. Their advantages
include no velocity variation, high lateral misalignments, high torque
capacity and easy disassembly. Oldham couplings are widely used for CNC
machines, homokinetic transmission, servo or robotic machines, copy and
printing machines and instrumentation.
Oldham
couplings function when one hub, or disc, is coupled to the input,
while the other is coupled to the output and the center piece is joined
to the other two by a series of tongue and grooves. During operation,
the center element slides on a hub tenon to accommodate misalignment.
This eventually wears down the discs. Springs are often employed to
prevent this and worn discs are easily and inexpensively replaced.
There are many different kinds of flexible shaft couplings besides Oldham couplings. The bellows coupling
has two hubs and a thin walled metallic bellows and can accommodate all
three types of misalignment. Single beam couplings are usually made of
a single piece of aluminum and have a system of spiral cuts that allow
it to bend in order to accommodate angular misalignment. Multiple beam
couplings consist of two to three overlapping beams that address
problems of torsional rigidity. Jaw,
or spider, couplings consist of two metallic hubs, each with a set of
interlocking teeth, and a flexible rubber or plastic piece in the shape
of a star which fits between them. These couplings have zero backlash
and function well at high speeds but do not tolerate a great deal of
misalignment.