Reliance expands its range of Reli-a-Flex precision couplings

Reli-a-Flex couplings are available from the Reliance Precision Mechatronics online store on a short lead-time, with a selected "preferred range' available ex-stock. The coupling selector enables the designers to create their own Reli-a-Flex coupling with exact specifications for the application in hand, rather than using a coupling with a similar specification which could potentially compromise the design.

The original range includes outside diameters from 13-40mm, and the additional micro sizes now available are 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. These couplings retain all the advantages of Reli-a-Flex's patented design, and are suitable for the accurate, miniature motion control applications demanded by the printing, medical and scientific instrument markets.

Other one-piece couplings currently on the market may outwardly resemble the Reli-a-Flex, but there is one vital difference. The patented slot design on the Reli-a-Flex maintains a constant pivot length which minimises stress variations. On the Reli-a-Flex the pivot points travel back and forward without changing the centre-piece angle, resulting in uniform stress levels and accurate angular rotation. Similar-looking couplings on the market can actually have a slot pattern where the pivot points move in and out, and the centre-piece angle varies. This causes stress variations and less uniform rotation.

In tests performed on typical applications, the bi-directional error produced by a Reli-a-Flex coupling used to drive a 3600 line encoder was four times smaller than that produced by a four-beam spiral coupling. When used to drive a 6.35mm lead leadscrew, the bi-directional error from the Reli-a-Flex was six times less than that of the four-beam spiral.

Reli-a-Flex also offers predictable performance, having been tested for 50,000,000 cycles at its rated torque and 80 per cent maximum offset.

For more information on Reli-a-Flex couplings and the full range of positioning components and assemblies, go to www.reliance.co.uk.