Oldham Couplings for Actuator Driven Systems
Oldham couplings from Ruland are zero-backlash, have a balanced design, and high parallel misalignment capabilities, making them an ideal fit for ball or lead screw driven actuator applications. The three-piece design allows designers to easily combine inch actuator and metric motor shafts.
Oldham couplings are made from two black anodized aluminum hubs that mate to a center disk. This allows for a highly customizable coupling where clamp and set screw hubs can combine inch, metric, keyed, and keyless bores. Ruland uses a proprietary hub machining process that leaves a smoother surface for interaction between the hub and disk resulting in long life and reduced downtime. Disks are available in acetal for zero-backlash and high torque capacity, PEEK for high temperature and low outgassing, and nylon for dampening and noise reduction. The disk can be replaced restoring the original performance characteristics to the coupling if it wears or fails. Oldham couplings act as a mechanical fuse during torque overload, with the disk cleanly breaking and stopping power transmission.
Ruland oldham couplings accommodate all forms of misalignment, but are best suited for high parallel misalignment systems. The only resistance on the disk is frictional, limiting bearing loads and protecting sensitive components. They have a balanced design for reduced vibration at high speeds. This is especially useful for motoractuator driven applications that are often positioning expensive items that are sensitive to minor vibrations. Oldham couplings are electrically isolating due to the nonconductive nature of the center disk preventing electrical currents from being passed to sensitive equipment.
Oldham couplings are part of Ruland’s complete servo coupling line that includes rigid, beam, bellows, disc, and jaw types. Full product specifications including CAD files, performance data, install videos and much more are available at www.ruland.com