Solutions from Ruland: Rigid Couplings for Machine Tools
Rigid couplings are an ideal fit for machine tools which require a coupling with high torque capacity, accuracy, and repeatability. Engineers designing systems for lathes, mills, welders, and bar feeders benefit from the Nypatch® anti-vibration hardware, precision honed bores, and high torque of Ruland rigid couplings.
Ruland manufactures straight bore rigid couplings with precision honed bores for concentricity, which ensures the coupling does not introduce misalignment or vibration into the system. This helps maintain consistent system performance and reduces wear on joined components such as bearings or motors, which is especially useful in machine tool applications that often have high torque requirements.
Machine tools can have high vibration due to the table and tool change speeds and mass of the load being positioned. Proprietary Nypatch® anti-vibration coating is used on all Ruland clamp type rigid coupling hardware to prevent screws from loosening during operation. Nypatch® is a 360-degree coating applied to several screw threads allowing for multiple screw insertions and providing the necessary dissimilar material to prevent galling. Equipment designers save installers time by specifying Ruland rigid couplings as hardware needs no additional coating prior to use.
Ruland manufactures rigid couplings in 1215 lead-free steel with a proprietary black oxide finish for general machine tool applications, 2024 aluminum for low inertia, and 303 stainless steel for corrosive applications. Two-piece rigid couplings have a balanced design for reduced vibration and improved system performance.
Rigid couplings from Ruland are available in one- and two-piece, and set screw styles with straight or step bores ranging from 1/8” to 2” or 3mm to 50mm giving machine tool designers a wide variety of standard options to choose from. All Ruland rigid couplings are manufactured from select North American bar stock in our Marlborough, MA factory under strict controls using proprietary processes. Full product information, 2D and 3D CAD files, installation videos, and more are available on ruland.com.