Ruland Manufacturing now offers bellows and double disc couplings with bore sizes up to 1-3/4 in or 45 mm for use in systems with torque up to 1,4000 in-lbs. (158 Nm). High torque applications commonly found in precision semiconductor, solar, conveyor, and factory automation applications often use these shaft sizes. Ruland disc and bellows couplings accommodate all forms of misalignment, are zero-backlash, and have a balanced design for reduced vibration at speeds up to 10,000 rpm.
Ruland bellows couplings have the highest size-for-size torque and torsional stiffness capacity of Ruland flexible couplings. They are comprised of two anodized aluminum hubs mated to a stainless-steel bellows. The thin walls of the bellows allow it to remain flexible under misalignment conditions while maintaining rigidity under torsional loads.
Double disc couplings offer more misalignment than bellows couplings at the expense of torque and stiffness. They are made from two anodized aluminum hubs, two sets of disc springs, and an anodized aluminum center spacer. The double disc design allows the sets of disc springs to operate independently of each other for full misalignment capabilities.
"The expansion of our bellows and disc coupling product lines to incorporate couplings with higher torque capacity, allows designers to use a Ruland coupling with larger shafting," says Bill Hewitson, president of Ruland Manufacturing. "Through our design process and rigorous physical product testing, we are bringing to market couplings that exceed what is currently available. I look forward to partnering with our many OEM and distribution customers on these new products."