Görkem ASLAN
Mechanical Engineer
Burke Domestic and Foreign Trade
It is mounted between two shafts. Some couplings can be used as a mechanical fuse. If one of the shafts are stuck, coupling will be torn and protect the equipment.
Especially Rex Viva coupling is designed for tearing under overloads to protect shafts, bearings, motor, gearbox etc. It has “V” notch on the polyurethane membrane channels stresses to provide a uniform center line tear for overload protection. Rexnord Omega and Viva couplings can tolerate misalignments up to 4 degrees angular and 4,8mm parallel. They absorb vibrations and undertake shock loads to protect the equipment. It is very easy to assemble and disassemble Rexnord elastomeric couplings and no need to move the equipment to replace the coupling. That’s why no need to align shaft again. They can be used in harsh environment and operate in acidic and basic environments between PH2 and PH12. They are balanced in factory and that’s why they don’t cause vibration. Rex Omega and Viva couplings are light weight with respect to other coupling types. Less weight means less energy and maintenance cost.
There are so many coupling types and they are produced with different torque values. A coupling which is used on a system may not be suitable for another one. If low torque value coupling is selected for a system that has more torque than the coupling can stand, then the coupling may be torn. And also if a coupling has unnecessarily very high torque than the system has, then the cost of buying and energy consumption increases. That shows us the importance of the right coupling selection.
For selecting the coupling right, some information need to be known. These are; motor power and speed, gearbox output speed, shaft diameters, distance between shaft ends, ambient temperature and humidity, chemicals, service factors etc.
Coupling is not stationary equipment. That’s why it must not be reached when the machine is operating. Rexnord Falk Orange Peel coupling guards are used to prevent that situation occurs. Coupling guards prevent the potential industrial accidents and protect the coupling.
Torque limiter is another equipment for protecting the system components. Rexnord Autogard and BSD torque limiters can be used in explosive environments. Rexnord products are EXPROOF and have ATEX certificate.
