Oldham Flexible Couplings
Advantages:
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Protects driven component by serving as a mechanical “fuse” – an inexpensive replaceable plastic midsection shears under excess load
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Protects support bearings by exerting consistently low reactive forces, even under large misalignments
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Homokinetic transmission – driving and driven shafts rotate at exactly the same speed at all times
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Zero backlash and high torsional stiffness
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Electrical insulation
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Accommodates large radial misalignment in a short length
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Easy installation in blind or difficult installations when through-bores are used
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Economically priced compared to other couplings with similar performance characteristics
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Inexpensive replaceable wear element
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Low moment of inertia
Disavantages:
- Accommodates a relatively small angular misalignment
Typical Applications:
Printing and copying machines; robotics and servo applications
Variations offered by OEP Couplings:
OI Configuration
A higher torque, higher stiffness variation without the mechanical fuse protective function
Materials
- Materials for midsection: Delrin – for general use; low friction, long wear. High-temperature high-performance thermoplastic; for high-temperature or for more demanding applications.
- Materials for hub: Alloy 360 brass, alloy 2011 aluminum, and alloy 303 stainless steel
- Shaft attachment options: Set screw without keyway, set screw with keyway, clamping without keyway, clamping with keyway
- Torque-limiting option – as detailed in this Case Study, we offer midsections that will break cleanly at a torque specified by the customer, as a replacement for other conventional, more costly torque-limiting devices
Why OEP?
Advantages of OEP Couplings’ Oldham configurations over those of other manufacturers:
- Higher torsional stiffness, longer service life, and more consistent performance from one coupling to another due to tighter machining tolerances and better surface finishes
- Higher static break torque and higher peak torque due to small but critical geometrical features, details of fabrication techniques, and the use of advanced materials and processes
- Higher RPM rating because of dynamic balance inherent in every coupling