Posted to News on 29th Jan 2014, 09:44
Stainless steel Schmidt-Kupplung shaft couplings
Abssac is now supplying stainless steel Schmidt-Kupplung shaft couplings for applications requiring compliance with special regulations; examples include packaging machines for the food and pharmaceutical industries, and coating machinery operating under vacuum conditions. Most models in the Schmidt-Kupplung portfolio of shaft couplings can be specified in stainless steel.
Food-processing machinery often employs shaft couplings, and the axial space available for a shaft coupling is frequently minimal. In some cases the shaft coupling can come into direct contact with food substances. In a typical application the coupling might be required to deliver reliable, precision torque transmission, have high torsional stiffness, permit axial shaft displacement and be easy to install.
In this scenario Abssac would recommend the stainless steel Schmidt-Kupplung Semiflex Compact Plus Type C320 shaft coupling with split clamp hubs. By using a split clamp hub design there is no need to move any adjacent machine components axially during installation. In addition, the specific hygiene requirements can be met by using a high-grade 1.4301 stainless steel for the coupling's construction.
The torsionally stiff coupling, with an outer diameter of 120mm, has a nominal torque of 316Nm (maximum torque 330Nm) and a radial displacement capacity of 3mm. However, what makes this shaft coupling different is the way in which the rotary motion and torque is transmitted through two pairs of parallel links arranged at 90 degrees to each other. These connect the driving side and driven side with the centre disc. Compensation for lateral displacement takes place through a swivelling movement of the needle bearing parallel link rods on the connecting bolts located in the internal discs.
Synchronisation between the driver and driven ends is therefore guaranteed, despite the high displacement. Installation of the coupling, which is already designed to be very compact, is made easy with an overall length of only 88mm.
To meet the stringent regulations for machines that come into contact with food fit for human consumption, the stainless steel Schmidt-Kupplung shaft couplings incorporate needle bearings lubricated with food-grade grease. In other cases food legislation-compliant slide bearings can be used. Similar coupling systems are also applicable to packaging machines for the pharmaceutical sector, and bottling plants. To some extent it was these industries that pioneered the use of 1.4501 stainless steel. Likewise, other Schmidt couplings - or coupling components such as coupling links - are made out of 1.4541 and 1.4571 premium steel.
Follow the link to find out more about stainless steel Schmidt-Kupplung shaft couplings and other products from Abssac.
