At abp, we focus on torsionally rigid, flexible shaft couplings as a connecting element between the motor and transducer. Our shaft couplings transmit forces backlash-free and angularly synchronous. Shaft couplings from abp – this means high torsional rigidity and minimal restoring forces. The resulting very low load on the shaft bearings considerably extends the service life of systems and machines.
Shaft couplings from abp – from our catalog or as custom-made products. Over 25 years of experience, close communication with you as our customer, and innovative developments ensure the smooth operation and long service life of our products in your applications.
The technical shaft coupling is an essential mechanical component in mechanical and plant engineering. It serves to connect two shafts to each other and thus transmit torque between two rotating elements, such as a primary drive unit and a machine component. This connection can be rigid, elastic, or flexible.
Misalignments, vibrations and shocks caused by installation inaccuracies or thermal expansion can be compensated for by using a shaft coupling, even with high rigidity.
A shaft coupling from abp is virtually maintenance-free and performs its task with high precision throughout its entire service life. It also decouples the encoder from the machine drive mechanically, thermally and, in some versions, electrically.
On this page, we have compiled all frequently asked questions about shaft couplings for you. Are you looking for further information? Contact us now—we will be happy to advise you personally!
A shaft coupling is a mechanical component that mechanically connects two shafts to transmit rotational motion and torque. This product serves to compensate for minor misalignments and radial, axial, and angular misalignments between the shafts and to minimize vibrations, enabling smooth and precise power transmission.
Shaft couplings are divided into backlash-free, elastic, and torsionally rigid models, which are specially designed to compensate for shaft misalignments, vibrations, and shocks in drives. They can be equipped with a clamping hub, key, and threaded pin to ensure secure mounting and fastening.
A shaft coupling from abp can be used in numerous industrial applications, such as in mechanical engineering, automation, or drive solutions, to efficiently connect drives and machine components. There are different types of couplings: rigid, flexible, and semi-rigid couplings, each of which meets specific requirements.
Alignment errors in drive technology can be attributed to manufacturing and assembly tolerances as well as bearing play and temperature influences. Such misalignments sometimes lead to considerable bearing loads. The result is increased wear and premature failure of the system.
The use of a shaft coupling from abp can compensate for these misalignments and reduce bearing loads to a minimum. This considerably extends the service life of systems and machines.
There are a variety of shaft couplings—also known as shaft connections, torque couplings, drive couplings, connecting couplings, or generally mechanical couplings. A basic distinction is made between three main types:
Within these types, there are different designs such as bellows couplings, spiral couplings, claw couplings, or spur gear couplings, which are used depending on the application requirements and alignment conditions. When selecting a coupling, parameters such as diameter, length, permissible speeds, and the required torque should be taken into account.
As a provider of drive solutions, we at abp not only offer suitable products and complementary accessories, but also advice and services to further improve your drive solution.
The basic types of shaft couplings can be divided into rigid, flexible, and elastic couplings.
A rigid coupling connects two shafts together in a form-fitting manner. It does not allow for misalignment compensation and transmits torque with absolutely no backlash. This coupling is ideal when precise alignment of the shafts is necessary—for example, in CNC machines, robotics, or measuring systems.
A flexible coupling is designed to be movable and compensates for minor misalignments. This reduces stress on bearings and shafts and allows the entire drive train to run more smoothly. Flexible couplings are particularly important when there are tolerances in the structure or thermal expansion needs to be compensated for.
The elastic coupling is a special type of flexible coupling. It uses elastic materials such as rubber, plastic, or spring steel, which deform under load. This not only compensates for misalignments, but also dampens shocks and vibrations. Elastic couplings are preferably used where sensitive components need to be protected and noise reduced. These include spring couplings and spring disc couplings, which are used in many areas such as mechanical engineering and other drive solutions.
Depending on the application requirements, there are various designs that differ in their properties. The following list contains the most common designs of shaft couplings, including a brief product description:
Bellows couplings (also known as metal bellows couplings) use a flexible metal bellows to transmit torque without backlash while compensating for radial, axial, and angular misalignments. They are particularly precise and are suitable for applications in precision engineering or measurement and testing technology.
Double loop couplings consist of two flexible loops that provide excellent compensation for radial, lateral, and angular misalignments. They also provide thermal and electrical insulation.
Spring couplings use spirally wound springs as the power transmission element. They are elastic, enable smooth torque delivery, and are preferably used when vibrations need to be dampened and sensitive components need to be protected.
Spring disc couplings consist of thin, resilient stainless steel discs that transmit high torque while compensating for misalignment. They are very torsionally rigid and are often used in high-precision servo and positioning applications.
Claw couplings consist of two claws connected by a plastic ring gear. Plastic ring gears in various Shore hardnesses are used as damping elements. The claw coupling dampens vibrations and shocks and is widely used in automation and conveyor technology.
Corrosion-resistant A4 stainless steel couplings are made of high-alloy, rust- and acid-resistant stainless steel. They are suitable for use in aggressive environments, e.g., in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or food industries, and offer a long service life even under difficult conditions.
Couplings made of FDA-compliant plastic are specially designed for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries and are primarily used in filling systems, conveyor belts, and packaging machines.
Nickel bellows couplings are characterized by extremely high torsional stiffness combined with minimal restoring forces. They are ideal for high-precision and highly sensitive measuring tasks.
Slip couplings have an adjustable slip torque that allows controlled slippage when the permissible torque is exceeded. This protects the mechanical drive from damage.
Safety couplings have an integrated safety backup: if the bellows break, internal claws interlock so that transitional operation and regular shutdown of the system are possible.
Multi jaw couplings transmit torque via tooth flanks. They are self-centering, repeatable, and ideal for the precise transmission of high torques in both directions—perfect for applications with limited space.
Stegkupplungen besitzen starre oder leicht flexible Stege zwischen den Naben, wodurch sie eine gute Kombination aus Torsionssteifigkeit und Versatzausgleich bieten. Sie sind wartungsarm und für mittlere bis hohe Drehmomente geeignet.
Heavy-duty helix couplings are reinforced helix couplings with higher torque, smooth power transmission, and improved vibration damping—ideal for high-performance industrial applications.
Helix couplings have a helical geometry and ensure backlash-free transmission of rotary movements. They optimally compensate for misalignment and are universally applicable – also available in brass when corrosion resistance or electrical conductivity is important.
Special solutions couplings are individually designed and manufactured to provide tailor-made solutions for specific applications – from special diameters and lengths to special materials and torque requirements.
When selecting a shaft coupling, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that the coupling is best suited to the application:
The right choice of coupling reduces loads and increases the service life of the connected components. At abp, we not only score points with high-quality shaft couplings, but also with reliability, fast delivery times and high service quality.
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Our in-house production enables us to implement your customer requirements flexibly and quickly. Our contact partners will be happy to advise you on your project. You can reach us on 07724 580080 or via our contact form.
Shaft couplings from abp Antriebstechnik are used in a wide range of industries. Typical areas of application are:
Torsionally rigid, backlash-free couplings such as metal bellows couplings, spring disc couplings, or helix couplings are particularly suitable for high speeds. They are precisely balanced, which is necessary for applications with very high speeds, and minimize vibrations.
For high torques, multi jaw couplings, heavy-duty helix couplings, or robust claw couplings are the right choice. They offer a very high torque capacity and are reliable even with shock loads. Many suppliers in Germany, such as abp Antriebstechnik, offer a technical service that takes care of the design and recommends the right coupling.
In systems with stepper motors and linear axes, backlash-free shaft couplings enable precise torque transmission and exact position control. These couplings compensate for shaft misalignments and ensure that the rotary motion of the stepper motor is transmitted precisely. They are often used in automation, robotics and drive technology where maximum precision and power transmission are required.
The shaft diameter is measured using a micrometer or a precise caliper (preferably digital). It is necessary to measure at several points on the shaft to ensure that there is no ovality.
The length (or installation length of the coupling) is determined by the available installation space between the shaft ends. This is best measured with a steel ruler and checked to ensure that there is sufficient installation space.
At abp, we provide all the necessary information on our product subpages so that you can see immediately whether the coupling is suitable.
In order to select a suitable flexible coupling, it is necessary to precisely determine the misalignment between the two shafts. This misalignment affects how much stress is placed on the coupling and how long it will last. If it is not determined correctly, premature wear or machine failure may occur.
There are three main types of alignment errors, which can occur individually or in combination:
Radial misalignment (parallel misalignment): The shafts are parallel to each other but are offset laterally. This misalignment is measured with a dial gauge or parallel gauge at several positions around the circumference. The largest measured distance is then decisive for the selection.
Angular misalignment: The shafts are not parallel, but form an angle. This is determined using a feeler gauge or by measuring the gap at several points around the circumference of the coupling. The difference in the gap dimensions then indicates the angular misalignment.
Axial misalignment (change in length): The shaft axes are misaligned in terms of length (too far apart or too close together). In this case, the distance between the two shaft end faces is measured using a depth gauge, distance gauge, or caliper. A reserve should be planned for thermal expansion of the system so that the coupling does not seize up.
The condition of a shaft coupling can be crucial to the operational safety of a system. To avoid costly downtime, it is necessary to check for wear on a regular basis.
Many problems can be seen with the naked eye or heard during operation. Typical signs of wear are:
In addition to visual inspection, measurements should be carried out at regular intervals. Test steps and measurements are:
These tests are particularly necessary in systems with high speeds or critical processes (e.g., food production or chemical industry).
In Germany, various standards apply to ensure that dimensions, performance data, and safety requirements are met. This guarantees the interchangeability of couplings from different manufacturers and reduces the risk of misuse.
These standards provide designers with the necessary dimensions, tolerances, and load limits. If you are unsure which standards apply to your applications, please contact us and we will help you select the right coupling.
The torsional stiffness (also known as torsional rigidity) is a decisive characteristic when selecting a shaft coupling, as it describes the extent to which the coupling deforms elastically under torsional load (torque). It has a significant influence on the precision and dynamics of the power transmission.
Role of torsional spring stiffness in the selection process:
The torsional spring stiffness is a key factor for the performance and service life of the shaft coupling. It should be selected to suit the application:
A careful analysis of the requirements (e.g. torque, offsets, vibrations) is essential in order to select the right coupling.
Our products are developed in close dialog with our customers and combine their requirements with our solution expertise. For this reason, we at abp see ourselves not only as consultants, but also as partners and reliable companions.
