Bellows couplings

A bellows couplings from abp is the best choice when it comes to transmitting power backlash-free and angularly synchronized and optimally compensating for misalignment.

Our products

We offer you an unusually wide range of products in small sizes from 15 to 40 mm diameter and lengths between 20 and 48 mm directly ex works. Depending on the application, the bellows are made of stainless steel, bronze or nickel, the hubs are made of aluminum and various steel grades. Our bellows couplings are available with screw or clamping hubs.

The miniaturized metal bellows couplings from abp Antriebstechnik are mainly used in rotary encoders, pulse generators, resolvers, slip ring units, servo motors and electric drive components.

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BKBS 1222
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BKXS 1520/1522/1525
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BKXSV 1522/1525
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BKXS 1924/1929
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BKXS 2029/2035
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BKXS 2526/2531
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BKBK 1222
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BKXK 1622/1624/1627
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BKXKV 1624/1627
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BKXK 2129/2135
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BKXK 2429/2435
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BKXK 2530/2535
_0002_BKXK_3030
BKXK 3030/3035
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BKXK 3340
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BKXK 4048
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BKXSY 2029/2035

Bellows couplings from A to Z

A bellows couplings is a flexible shaft coupling. It consists of a metal bellows that connects a driving and a driven shaft. The bellows can be used to compensate for axial, radial and angular misalignments while maintaining high torsional rigidity.

With our 25 years of experience, we at abp Antriebstechnik have built up a great deal of know-how in the field of bellows couplings and their application requirements. Our bellows couplings are therefore ideal for applications that require precise motion transmission with simultaneous compensation capability.

The bellows couplings from abp play a central role in many industrial applications. Its flexibility and precision make it ideal for applications where accuracy and precise compensation of misalignments are essential.

On this page, we have summarized all frequently asked questions about bellows couplings for you. Not the right one for you? Contact us now – we will be happy to advise you personally!

Contact person
abp-rojo-isabella-13636
Isabella Rojo
Key Account Sales International

What is a bellows coupling?

A bellows coupling is a mechanical coupling consisting of a flexible, metallic bellows that connects rotating shafts. It enables backlash-free torque transmission via the metal bellows and compensates for axial, radial and lateral misalignments.

The bellow ensures backlash-free operation without loss of precision despite movements of the shafts. Thanks to its flexible design, the bellows couplings are ideal for precise applications where maximum accuracy is required.

How does a bellows coupling work?

A bellows couplings transmits the torque between two shafts via its flexible metal bellows. It is the connection between the two shafts and enables precise and even torque transmission without delays or movement distortions.

Thanks to its flexibility, the metal bellows can compensate for mechanical irregularities, such as axial, radial and angular shaft misalignments. This reduces mechanical wear and significantly increases the service life of the connected components.

An outstanding feature of bellows couplings is their high torsional rigidity. It enables precise rotary movements to be transmitted without twisting in the bellows, even at high torques. This is particularly important for dynamic applications such as fast movements or load changes.

While the metal bellow can absorb minor vibrations, its main advantage lies in the precise and backlash-free transmission of forces. This makes bellows couplings ideal for applications that require high accuracy and reliability, such as in automation technology or servo drives.

Advantages

What advantages does a bellows coupling offer?

A bellows coupling offers a number of advantages that make it ideal for applications with high precision, zero backlash and flexibility requirements.

  • High precision and zero backlash: A bellows couplings enables exact torque transmission without backlash, which makes it ideal for applications that rely on precise motion control, such as positioning systems, laser technology or robotics.
  • Compensation of misalignments: Thanks to its flexible design, the bellows couplings can compensate for axial and radial as well as angular misalignments between two shafts. This minimizes mechanical wear and protects other components, which is particularly important in dynamic applications such as automation, bearing and conveyor technology or mechanical engineering.
  • Outstanding torsional rigidity: The torsionally rigid design of the bellows couplings ensures that precise control is possible even with high torques and fast movements. This makes it particularly suitable for sectors such as the packaging industry or renewable energies, where precise and fast movement sequences are required.
  • Durability and resistance: A bellows coupling is usually made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel, which gives it a high resistance to corrosion and wear. This makes them ideal for use in demanding environments such as the food industry, where strict hygiene requirements apply.
  • Versatility: A bellows coupling can be manufactured in different sizes and designs, allowing them to be used in a wide range of industries and applications.

Industries

In which industries are bellows couplings used?

The bellows couplings from abp are used in numerous industries as they enable the precise and backlash-free transmission of torque as well as the compensation of shaft misalignments. Some examples are:

  • Food industry: In the food industry, abp’s bellows couplings ensure hygienic and reliable drive solutions in machines that require precise control, for example in filling systems or packaging machines. The bellows couplings are often made of stainless steel to meet high hygienic standards and strict cleaning requirements.
  • Automation: In automation, abp’s bellows couplings are essential for precise motion transmission in highly dynamic processes, for example in stepper motors or servomotors, and contribute to improving the accuracy of automation solutions.
  • Plant and mechanical engineering: In plant and mechanical engineering, bellows couplings from abp are used in drive systems and precision machines. Due to its ability to compensate for shaft misalignments and angular errors and thus reduce mechanical loads, it significantly increases the service life of systems.
  • Storage and conveyor technology: In storage and conveyor technology, the abp bellows couplings provide a reliable connection in drive systems for conveyor belts and hoists. Their flexibility and high torsional rigidity enable precise control and efficient movement of loads.
  • Positioning systems: In positioning systems, the abp bellows couplings enable high-precision movements and accurate positioning. It is therefore used in machines for the exact alignment of workpieces or sensors where any deviation must be avoided.
  • Laser technology: Precision and absolute freedom from backlash are crucial in laser technology. The bellows couplings from abp are used here in high-precision positioning systems to precisely control laser heads and implement the finest movements in manufacturing processes.
  • Packaging industry: abp’s bellows couplings are in demand in the packaging industry due to their high reliability and precision in numerous packaging machines. It enables the exact movements required to accurately carry out various packaging processes such as cutting, filling and sealing.
  • Renewable energies: In the renewable energy sector, abp’s bellows couplings contribute to the efficiency and reliability of systems, for example in wind turbines or photovoltaic systems. It ensures that drive systems work precisely and reliably in demanding environments, such as in changing weather conditions.
  • Drives and robotics: abp bellows couplings are often used in drives and robotics to enable precise control and motion transmission. It is used in robot arms and drive systems, where flexibility and precision are crucial for implementing motion sequences without errors.

For which applications are the bellows couplings from abp used?

The range of applications for our bellows couplings is as wide as our product portfolio. They are primarily used where high precision and zero backlash are required.
Some examples of applications for our bellows couplings are:

  • rotary encoders
  • pulse encoders
  • servo motors
  • test benches
  • printing machines
  • CNC machines
  • wind energy for rotor bearing feedback
  • crane systems
  • elevators
  • welding systems
  • synchronous spindle drives
  • rotary transmission in drives
  • slip ring units in electric motors

Why use a bellows coupling from abp?

In many applications, control and regulation circuits rely on highly accurate positioning and position feedback. Rotary encoders or resolvers must be connected to the drive in a torsionally rigid and flexurally flexible manner.

We at abp are aware of this. Over the last 25 years, we have built up a broad range of know-how and expertise in the field of bellows couplings. This is why our metal bellows couplings have a very high torsional rigidity with low restoring forces and transmit rotary motion to the transducer without errors. In addition, the vibration-damping effect of the bellows minimizes the bearing load on the shafts.

At abp, we specialize in small and very small series. This enables us to respond very precisely to customer-specific requirements. As a bellows couplings manufacturer, we also manufacture all products in-house at our site in St. Georgen in the Black Forest (Germany), which means we can guarantee fast delivery times.

Still not convinced? Feel free to contact us to talk about your project and your requirements. We will advise you free of charge and without obligation!

In which materials are the bellows couplings from abp offered?

A bellows coupling from abp is always made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel or special aluminum alloys. These materials ensure a long service life, corrosion resistance and the ability to function reliably even under difficult conditions.

However, which material is used for the bellows couplings depends heavily on their area of application. This is why we at abp work in close partnership with our customers. Together we will find the optimum bellows couplings for your requirements. Feel free to contact us!

Manufacture

What is important when manufacturing bellows couplings?

There are numerous factors to consider when manufacturing bellows couplings. At abp, we have acquired a high level of expertise in the manufacture of bellows couplings over the last 25 years. In order to manufacture a precise and durable bellows couplings, the following aspects in particular must be taken into account:

  • Choice of material: The right material is crucial for the performance and service life of the bellows couplings. As a rule, high-quality stainless steels, such as stainless steel, are used for the bellows. In some cases, special aluminum alloys or nickel can also be used for special requirements for the bellows couplings, such as low weight or FDA compliance.
  • Precision in the production of the bellows: The metal bellows itself is the heart of the bellows couplings. Its shape must be very precise and have uniform wall thicknesses. Folding the bellows is also a complex process that requires the use of modern production technologies. Each fold must be perfectly executed to ensure that the coupling can compensate for axial, radial and angular misalignments without losing its torsional rigidity.
  • Construction and design: The bellows couplings must be designed to meet the customer’s specific requirements. The dimensioning of the bellows couplings (e.g. diameter and length of the bellows) is developed based on the required torque transmission, shaft misalignments and environmental conditions. The design of the end pieces that are connected to the shafts is also a key element. Clamping hubs or keyway connections are frequently used fastening methods for bellows couplings, which enable a backlash-free and secure connection.
  • Torsional stiffness and balancing ability: The ability of a bellows couplings to absorb misalignments without losing overall stability is determined by the number and geometry of the folds. A coupling that is too stiff would reduce the ability to compensate, while a coupling that is too flexible could impair the precision of torque transmission.
  • Damping of vibrations and shocks: A bellows coupling must also be able to dampen vibrations and shocks. The correct design of the bellows and choice of material can help to reduce unwanted vibrations that could affect the precision of motion control.
  • Careful quality control: Manufactured bellows couplings must be rigorously inspected. Every component, from the bellows to the hubs to the connecting elements, is carefully checked at abp to ensure that it meets the required specifications.

How does a nickel bellows coupling differ from a normal bellows coupling?

A nickel bellows couplings differs from a normal bellows couplings primarily in the material of the bellows, which, as the name suggests, is made of nickel. This material gives the coupling special properties such as a very high torsional stiffness combined with very low restoring forces.

Nickel bellows couplings are therefore particularly suitable for high-precision and very demanding measuring tasks, such as those required in highly sensitive positioning systems.

We would be happy to help you find the right coupling for your requirements. Contact us now quickly and easily via our contact form or by phone on +49 (0)7724 / 58008-0.

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