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Torque transducers, test machinery, industrial robots, food and beverage and chemical applications are just a few of the areas coupling technology is advancing. This short round-up covers some of the latest product and industry news items in the power transmission and motion control market segments.
Solve Acquires MasterDrive, Inc.
Solve Industrial Motion Group has acquired MasterDrive, Inc., a major supplier and manufacturer of sheaves, belts, timing pulleys, and couplings that benefit a broad range of industrial applications.
The addition of MasterDrive further expands Solve’s product offering and availability of power transmission drive components. The acquisition complements Solve’s recent additions of Bearings Limited and SST Bearing Corporation expanding its bearings product offerings, positioning Solve as a one-stop resource for their customers’ power transmission needs.
“MasterDrive shares our passion for solving customers’ challenges,” said Lisa Mitchell, CEO of Solve Industrial Motion Group. “Whether it’s finding the right part for an application or finding the right part in-stock, this furthers our quest to be the go-to resource for power transmission products.”
Based in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, MasterDrive has strategically expanded its portfolio to more than 9,000 SKUs, added warehouse space and increased its distribution during its nearly 25-year history. Since 1998, MasterDrive has offered high-quality products, inventory and customer service by relying on exacting standards for raw materials and a leading Quality Management system.
“We have proudly served our industrial distribution partners and customers in the power transmission market,” said Terry Schroeder, president of MasterDrive. “By joining Solve, we’ll be able to offer more products, resources and services to our customers. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Zero-Max CD Couplings Provide High Torsional Stiffness for Torque Transducers and Test Machinery
Torque Transducers and Test Machinery experience extreme demands including high torque loads and high operating speeds which cause stress on connected components. To assure these systems generate accurate test data when experiencing these conditions, system designers specify CD Couplings from Zero-Max.
Utilizing Zero-Max’s proprietary Composite Disc-Pack (CD), CD Couplings are unique in design and provide the ideal combination of operating characteristics that improve the accuracy of torque measurements. The key characteristics of the Composite Disc design are: (1) high torque capacity, (2) high torsional stiffness, and (3) low reaction loads under misalignment.
CD Couplings designed for Torque Transducer and Test Machinery applications may be custom designed to the specific needs of the test machine and can be adapted to shaft-mount or flange-mount transducers. Zero-Max offers engineering services and decades of experience to help ensure the ideal design. Popular options include in-house dynamic balancing capabilities and a complete selection of shaft tolerances and shaft connections including keyless, keyed, splined, and other shaft designs.
Miki Pulley Sliced ASK Couplings Compensate for Misalignment
Stainless steel ASK Couplings from Miki Pulley feature a unique “sliced” body structure making them an effective low-cost corrosion resistant solution that can accommodate many types of misalignments. The stainless-steel design makes them ideal for use in food and chemical applications.
One piece ASK Coupling design is the ideal method for compensating all types of system misalignment in a shaft-to-shaft connection. The sliced design handles high rotation speeds in high temperature ranges experienced in food and chemical systems.
The ASK Coupling offers exceptional torsional stiffness and strength. This proven Miki Pulley coupling design assures accurate shaft rotation with precise control. The coupling is available in different materials that dampen conductive heat transfer from motor to output shaft. Also important, the coupling provides limited shaft misalignment to alleviate premature system bearing wear.
The coupling’s aerodynamic profile decreases noise while optimizing performance at high speeds. Simple yet reliable, ASK couplings are easily configurable to accommodate a wide range of DBSE (distance between shaft ends). Bores can be arranged with clamp, taper-lock or keyed styles for specific application requirements. Also important, ASK Couplings are a cost-effective choice for food and chemical applications and are particularly well suited for chemical chlorine applications and small conveying systems used in the food service industry.
JW Winco Expands Coupling Portfolio
Couplings from JW Winco transmit rotary motions and torques from shaft to shaft. They also even out tolerances and mechanical deflection that would otherwise result in damage to drive or measurement configurations.
JW Winco recently added couplings of aluminum and stainless steel that include designs for positive and non-positive connections. Multiple bore diameters, various, stiffness and hardness levels of the coupling body as well as an optional keyway allow very specific customization to the given use case. In general, all couplings compensate for offsets and misalignments, accommodate runout error and axial motion, and dampen vibrations and impacts to varying degrees.
At the application level, there is a choice between position and motion control or torque and power transmission.
For position and motion control, the rotary motion must be transmitted with very high precision and accuracy. This requires a coupling type that functions with zero backlash in the direction of rotation and has high torsional stiffness. Typical applications include servo and stepper motors for linear axes, industrial robots and test benches.
For torque and power transmission, on the other hand, the focus is on pure force transmission. This calls for couplings that can withstand high torques and heavy loads while functioning reliably in harsh conditions. Typical applications include conveyor systems, pumps and agitators, packaging machines.
