Welcome to POWERTORQ
Bearings Distributors is proud to introduce an addition to our product range in 2021. After many months of R&D, finding the right manufacturer, product testing, brand creation, brand identity, market research and much more, we are thrilled to introduce our top-quality brand of locking elements, Power Torq!
Our vision with Power Torq is to provide our customers with a top quality, price competitive alternative to what has been available in the market in the past. Through our 68 years in the South African market, we have realised the need for a product and brand such as Power Torq, and it is this that prompted us to invest heavily in, firstly finding the best manufacturer for our brand, and secondly having adequate stock levels of the various series we offer. As and when there is a requirement from the market to add additional series of locking elements to our range, we will most certainly once again reinvest in at the appropriate time.
Below is some more information on locking elements that may be informative.
Basics of Locking Elements
a) Functional description
Locking elements are components manufactured to high precision tolerances and are used on shafts, to transmit torque to- or from- the shaft in a number of different ways, depending on the application.
Locking elements are essentially an alternative to keyways and keys and offer the benefit of smaller shaft diameters for a given torque rating as well as a simplified shaft and coupling manufacturing process.
The principle of the design of a locking element is to apply a substantial radial force to two interfacing, machined surfaces and to use the resulting frictional resistance to transmit an tangential force and, in some cases, withstand an axial force along the shaft.
b) Anatomy of a locking element
The adjacent sketch (click thumbnail for larger image) indicates a cross-section through a typical locking element used on a conveyor pulley hub / diaphragm plate.
The locking element comprises two different tapered halves (1) joined together by means of a series of bolts (2) and split at one point in their circumference for contraction.
On their internal diameter, both halves have parallel surfaces to suit the shaft (3). The shaft diameter is selected to suit the nearest standard locking elements' inner diameter.
The outer sleeve (4) of the locking element is also tapered on its inside surfaces to allow the two halves of the locking element to slide along their respective surfaces when the bolts are tightened. Like the two halves of the locking element, the outer sleeve is split to allow expansion of the sleeve when the bolts are tightened.
The outer circumference is flat to engage the pulley hub (5).
As the bolts are tightened in a specific sequence and to a specific torque setting, the pressure between the shaft and locking element increases as the internal diameter of the locking element decreases.
Similarly, the outer flat surface of the locking element sleeve expands and applies radial pressure to the pulley hub (in this example).
In so doing, the locking element accomplishes the following:
- The locking element is secured to the shaft.
- The locking element is secured to the pulley via its hub.
- The shaft is secured to the pulley via the locking element.
- The shaft and pulley are both centered relative to each other along the shaft centerline.
Depending on the locking element selected, both a rotational torque and an axial load can be accommodated by the locking element. These loads are specified for each locking element in the relevant tables.
There are different types and designs of locking elements and variations to the above example are common, although the basic principle remains unchanged.
c) Applications for locking elements
Applications for locking elements on conveyors includes the following examples:
i. Pulley hub / shaft assemblies
As explained above, locking elements are used to connect pulley shells to their shafts, via their hubs as depicted in the adjacent diagram.
There are a number of different hub designs for pulleys however, when locking elements are used the hubs are the landings for the locking elements.
An alternative locking element used on pulleys is the one shown below, with a single taper.
ii. Rigid flange couplings with keyless shafts
Where two rigid shafts are to be connected together, two suitable locking elements shown here could be employed in conjunction with the rigid flange couplings.
The locking elements shown are double-tapered self-centering locking elements and this assembly would typically be used to connect the output shaft of a reducer to the drive pulley shaft.
In this example the self-centering feature is a fundamental requirement in this application.
iii. Stuwe-type flanged coupling for torque and bending applications
For applications where the shaft may be subjected to bending as well as torque transmission, this rigid flange coupling employs a locking element on the outer radius of the coupling, to allow bending in the coupling while maintaining a firm lock on the shaft.
Contact Us
Bearings Distributors
Address:
Unit C5 Maitland Industrial Park
Voortrekker Rd
Maitland, Cape Town
South Africa
7405
Tel: +27 21 593 2193
Fax: +27 21 593 4496
e-Mail: info@italbearings.co.za
Authorised distributors:
Optinovas (PTY) Ltd
233 Charlotte Maxeke Street
PTA West, Gauteng 0182 ZA
+27 645218783
salesnow@optinovas.co.za
www.optinovas.co.za