Bellows Coupling
Bellows Couplings : A Flexible Solution for Precision Transmissions
Bellows couplings are a type of flexible coupling consisting of two end hubs sandwiching a corrugated tube designed with high precision. This tube serves as the main part of the coupling, allowing for the flexibility and rigidity required in torque transmission.
The main advantage of bellows couplings lies in their high torsional rigidity, making them ideal for transmission of speed, angular position and torque with high accuracy. The corrugated structure of the tube allows these couplings to adjust to a limited number of axial, angular and parallel misalignments, maintaining the stability of the connection between the shafts or components being connected.
Bellows couplings are generally made from stainless steel through a hydroforming process, where the steel tube is pressurized from the inside to form a deep wavy pattern. Once this process is complete, the end hub is welded or otherwise attached to the coupling body, creating a strong and precise connection.
Product
Use in High Precision Applications
Bellows couplings are known to have the highest torsional stiffness compared to other servo couplings, making them very suitable for applications that require a high degree of precise positioning. Selecting the right bellows coupling for a particular application begins with calculating the required torque. For example, knowing the maximum torque capacity of a servo motor, multiplied by the gear reduction ratio and adding a safety factor of 1.5, gives an idea of the minimum torque required.
Excellence in Extreme Environments
The bellows coupling, which is made entirely of metal, exhibits superior performance in extreme temperature conditions. In contrast to couplings that use polymer elements, bellows couplings are able to operate well at high temperatures without experiencing degradation. These couplings are also very effective in precision applications where temperature fluctuations can cause dimensional changes in components, resulting in axial misalignment.
Bellows couplings that have a lightweight construction thanks to their hollow design are ideal for applications where a low moment of inertia is required. It is often applied to servomotor driven systems that require rapid acceleration and deceleration, such as axles that must move rapidly in an indexing or reversing pattern.
Torque Determination for Applications
In most applications, coupling are rated based on the peak torque they can transmit. This peak torque must not exceed the coupling’s nominal torque, which indicates the amount of torque that can be transmitted sustainably at a given speed and within the allowable misalignment range.
