Abssac Ezine 2009

The ABSSAC Ezine is always kept short and informative, whilst hopefully remaining worthwhile to anyone who is a user or buyer of linear and rotary power transmission equipment.As always, should you wish to no longer receive such quarterly updates please just hit the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the page.This newsletter predominantly looks at some product advances we have made.

What is a multi tasking flexure ?

The flexure product is quite unique and allows the design engineer to amalgamate multi-part designs into a single piece design. It is one of the few products that really does allow the engineer to dream.

Abssac has aided the design of a cellophane packaging machine manufacturer utilizing its helical flexure technology within a die punch design. Abssac was tasked with improving the life of a plastics die cutter which was prematurely blunting on high volume runs.The die cutter was originally attached to a solid shaft holder, which had to be adjusted constantly to keep the cutting edge perpendicular to the roller. The machine operated 24 hours a day, at the rate of 180 packages per minute. The normal life obtained from this die cutter was one month, then it had to be replaced. The performance capability of each Helical Flexure is determined by six major characteristics: flexure outside diameter, inside diameter, coil thickness, material, number of coils, and number of starts. By altering these characteristics, torque capacity, angular and parallel misalignment capabilities, torsional and lateral bending rates of flexured u-joints can be modified to suit specific specifications and/or requirements.After a short design period Abssac was able to suggest using a  shaft  manufactured from 17-4pH which is a heat treated stainless steel and the correct flexure design to ensure load and cutting edge perpendicularity.The end result was in effect a shock absorbing, yet load bearing assembly  that then improved the die cutting life from one month to 10-12 months.

Up to 90 Degrees flexibility ? 

By using a flexured u-joint, the designer/customer benefits from a number of advantages which include a choice of materials, the ability to have an infinite choice of end attachments and most importantly a maintenance free product.

Most universal joint designs rely on a number of moving parts to enable the transmission of torque.  The Helical Flexure is an advanced and unique u-joint solution that generally exceeds the capabilities of common u-joint designs. A Helical u-joint may accommodate up to 90° of angular misalignment whilst simultaneously compensating for axial and parallel shaft misalignments, but all from a single piece construction.The performance capability of each Helical Flexure is determined by six major characteristics: flexure outside diameter, inside diameter, coil thickness, material, number of coils, and number of starts. By altering these characteristics, torque capacity, angular and parallel misalignment capabilities, torsional and lateral bending rates of flexured u-joints can be modified to suit specific specifications and/or requirements.

New web site for 2009

Launched slightly ahead of schedule, the new web site has a fresh look with some interesting features, new products and new product animations. Please take a look  and remember to book mark the site in your favourites.

The next ABSSAC Ezine will be in March 09.