Tire couplings accommodate misalignment
The range of Periflex Shaft Couplings from Stromag use a highly flexible, rubber-fabric ‘tire’ element to transmit up to 15,000Nm of torque, while compensating for radial, axial and angular misalignment. Further, wear is limited to the rubber element to minimize the burden of maintenance.
Stromag, part of Altra Industrial Motion Corporation, is a global manufacturer of innovative power transmission components for industrial drivetrain applications. It has been manufacturing the Periflex Shaft Coupling series since 1948, making continuous improvements to the design and performance through regular R&D investment. In fact, since the very first couplings were produced, Stromag has improved the nominal torque of the rubber used for the shaft tire by almost 650%.
The ‘tire coupling’ design concept allows two shafts to be joined via the flexible rubber compound. This shaft tire is able to absorb extremely large displacements in every direction with low restoring forces and without noticeable wear and tear. This protects against mechanical wear in the driving or driven components. The couplings are ideal for high impact applications in harsh industries such as steel production, paper mills, mining and ship building.
A further benefit of the design is simple installation and extremely low maintenance costs. The rubber tire is held in place using corrosion resistant coupling hubs and pressure rings. During operation it is only the tire that experiences wear and tear, meaning the metal components will not need replacing. When the rubber tire has reached the end of its service life, it can be quickly replaced by releasing the pressure rings, there is no need to reposition the driving or driven shaft.
The Stromag shaft coupling series covers a torque range of 25 to 15,000Nm and is suitable for operation in temperatures ranging from -50 to +80°C. The composition of the rubber tire is available in two formats and different hub designs are available to suit many application requirements.
Furthermore, when specified correctly, the couplings comply with the requirements of ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for use in potentially explosive environments: both above and below ground. Stromag’s team of engineers are available to offer specification, installation and maintenance support worldwide to ensure that end-users are able to enjoy the maximum benefit from the design.
