Disc Couplings for Printing Applications
Ruland disc couplings are zero-backlash and have high torque, torsional stiffness, and a balanced design making them an ideal fit for a variety of printer systems. They are offered in single and double disc styles for different design requirements. Single disc couplings are comprised of anodized aluminum hubs and stainless steel disc springs. They are well suited for applications with envelope constraints, but designers must be careful when using them as they cannot accommodate parallel misalignment. Double disc couplings are made of two anodized aluminum hubs, an anodized aluminum or acetal spacer (for electrical isolation), and stainless steel disc springs. The double disc style is designed to accommodate more misalignment than the single disc style, including parallel misalignment.
Disc couplings have similar performance characteristics to bellows couplings with slightly reduced torque capabilities. In exchange, disc couplings offer superior misalignment capabilities. Their stiffness is high enough to prevent banding in applications such as large format printers. They are well-suited for other printing systems that require high torque and speeds up to 10,000 RPM. Disc couplings from Ruland are available in clamp and set screw hubs with or without keyways in bore sizes ranging from 1/8” to 1-1/4” and 3mm to 32mm. They are manufactured in our Marlborough, MA factory under strict controls using proprietary processes.
