Features and Applications of Flexible Disc Couplings

Metal disc coupling is a type of flexible coupling that transmits torque through disc packs. Torque is transmitted by driving bolts and pulling the operated bolts through thin metal discs assembled in a pack. Disc couplings are torsionally rigid. A single-disc pack (single-flex) design can accommodate angular and axial misalignment; a double-flex design can also accommodate parallel misalignment. 
 

Below you can see different types of misalignment: 

 

 

The torque density depends on the number of bolts per disc pack. More bolts provide higher torque, but we have a trade-off here. More bolts mean less misalignment. Depending on the application, engineers have to pick the coupling that meets their requirements. If you can not find the perfect combination, maybe you should go one size larger or use another type of coupling. Disc packs usually come in 4, 6, and 8-bolt designs. Hubs of flexible couplings have many different designs to accommodate different requirements. Designs include conventional bore and keyway, clamping style, shrink discs, internal locking devices, etc. The disc couplings do not require any lubrication. They are designed for infinite life, but excessive loads, misalignment, vibration, shock loads, and other circumstances may shorten coupling life, causing coupling failure. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and ensure the components are correctly aligned, and the disc pack bolts are torqued per the manufacturer's specs.  

Material Properties

The material properties affect the torsional stiffness of the components. Major coupling components can be made from cast iron, cast ductile iron, medium carbon steel, or alloy steel, depending on manufacturing volume and lot size.

 

Features and Benefits
 

• Ultra-low inertia
• Ultra-high stiffness
• Simple yet reliable design
• Zero backlash
• Single- and double-element configurations are available

 

Applications

 

• Servo motor applications
• Stepper motors
• High-speed machine tools
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Actuators
• Surface chip mounting
• Packaging machines

 

Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions, need more information or if you are interested in purchasing a coupling.

HVH Industrial Solutions is an authorized distributor of the following coupling manufacturers: Ringfeder, System Components, TB Wood’s,  Ameridrives, and Bibby Turboflex in the US.

We work closely with the engineering teams of the above companies to provide superior customer service and engineering support.