Abssac Newsletter : October 2012 | |
Abssac On-The-Go |
Pascal discovered the principle | ||
Where we win…… • The Quick and Easy clamping of shafts | ||
Machined torsion | “Full of Air”The Challenge was to develop a flexible shaft coupling that could be used in the drive assembly of a “Aerator” used in the oxygenation of water in fish spawning ponds and small lakes. Aeration is especially required in times of hot weather where the oxygen concentration within the water can fall and have a detrimental effect on spawning. The old procedure involved a fast rotating agitating propeller, placed below the surface of the water, whilst simultaneously compressed air was piped to just behind the rotating propeller to allow a mix and aeration to take place. Although this original process did work, it was not very efficient as the air hose would often move from the optimum position, requiring constant maintenance and monitoring during operation. In the original design, the immersed propeller was driven via shafting and a series of “cardan style” u-joints, which also required an environmentally friendly lubrication. Abssac was approached by the manufacturer to look at a solution to replace the universal joints due to the fact that no lubrication would be required. However, it was quickly realised that the drive solution offered by Abssac could also aid in the quest to improve aeration. The Helical beam coupling by design has a hollow centre and this proved to be a big advantage to the application. The final design of stainless steel shaft coupling could not only handle the angular offset and torque required, but cleverly would allow a compressed air tube to be fed through the middle so that oxygen could directly be fed to the middle of the agitating propeller. The end result increased aeration rate by 30%. Moreover, the single piece U-joint design also supported the propeller shaft at the motor end eliminating the need for a bearing. Additionally its one piece stainless steel construction did not need lubrication or suffer from oxidation. | |
Machined torsion springs can provide very precise, linear deflection rates because virtually all-residual stresses are eliminated. The stress found in machined torsion springs is dominantly a pure bending stress providing a more reliable and accurate part. Most wound torsion springs can achieve a rate of around 15%, the machined alternative can easily achieve 10% on rate and can be tuned to +/-2% for the more demanding applications.. We like to think of it as ....Precision Elasticity... The most common machined torsion spring configuration is the single start spring, which consists of a single continuous coil element, which starts at one end and terminates at the other end, much like its wire wound counterpart. We can supply both unwind and wind up torsion springs and in both cases the spring rates achieved are as linear as the geometry will permit. However, it is not only the accuracy of rate which is an advantage, since the part is machined, we can incorporate any form of end attachment into the torsion spring. It is important to remember that we can supply an attachment integral to the machined spring that allows the PURE MOMENT to be resolved. | In the wound torsion spring format, tangs are produced by bending the last portion of wire into a set position. These tangs are bent inward or outward upon which a force can be applied. This not only limits the actual attachment designs available but induces high stress into this attachment area. In the machined torsion spring the tang is integral and without stress making it a far more rugged and reliable attachment. Why not call Chris Cattle with your machined spring questions… | |
Precision miniature | ||
Cold rolled formed lead screws are proving to be a superb economical solution for linear applications requiring repeatable accuracy and reliability. Using a comprehensive range of screw diameters from 3mm through to 24mm, Abssac can match performance and function by offering the capability to supply custom thread forms and combining them with a range of proven anti-backlash or standard nuts designs. The nut designs are then enhanced to incorporate bespoke attachments, in many cases amalgamating parts of the traversing mechanism into the final design. Whether it is a fine or coarse pitch thread, the end result is a high integrity lead screw and nut product that is ready to be fitted directly into the application. Phil Jones at Abssac states “We like to pride ourselves at Abssac on our excellent product knowledge for precision miniature motion designs, which are not only excellent quality but also competitively priced”. | ||
Printing Industry | |
Shaft couplings for the printing industry are required to work with absolute precision to guarantee a register pressure and therefore ensure a high print quality. The high precision requirement starts in the actual printing mechanism and continues through the refinement process to quality assurance on the final product. To maintain the precision movement the Schmidt-Kupplung range of shaft couplings are utilised in many areas of the printing processes. For example, in the drives for printing mechanisms the shaft couplings can be found driving ink rollers and duct rollers or in the drives for rotary die cutting machines and cutting rollers they can be found where guaranteed precise stamping or cutting processes are performed. Driven equipment is also commonly required to be axially displaced during operation and it is this displacement that can be disproportionate to the DBSE (distance between shaft ends) in the printing machines. Other designs of shaft couplings simply cannot accept such large parallel shaft offsets, without requiring a much longer DBSE. In addition, other coupling designs may suffer from a degradation of torque capacity and increased backlash during operation when required to accommodate such a high degree of parallel offset. The Schmidt-Kupplung allows for this exceptional axial movement whilst reliably transmitting backlash free torque. Most importantly, the Schmidt-Kupplung delivers all these advantages in an extremely compact design. For example it is possible to have a parallel shaft offset of 275mm in an overall length of 284mm ! (Offset Plus V3300 series) Another unique advantage of the Schmidt-Kupplung is that during the printing operation, individual rollers may also need to be adjusted, replaced or even removed from the machine. Ease of connection and the unique properties of the Schmidt Kupplung design allow for the axial displacement of roller holders up and away from the press so that maintenance or roller change can be carried out. There is no need to stop the printing machines at this time. The use of precision couplings from the Semiflex range are employed where very high output and productivity are required. High torque and high speed are easily catered for with the Semiflex range of shaft couplings. At Abssac we can also offer customer-specific couplings from the Semiflex range in areas such as the axially guided cutting rollers. Another perfect use of the Semiflex coupling is during offset printing. The printed sheet is subject to a continuous visual check via Densitometric sensing which allows for the quantitative measurement of optical density in light-sensitive materials, such as paper. The antibacklash features of precision drive coupling ensure that the individual measuring points are exactly achieved. Shaft couplings from the Controlflex range are utilised in a typical drive for a travelling sensor head where less torque but high torsional stiffness and zero-backlash rotation is required. For further details please contact our sales office who will be more than happy to discuss your applications. |
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Why use | Content |
Why use | |
Industry Standard | |
The Engineering Design ShowCome and meet us at stand C50, where we will have many of our innovative products on display. Engineers from both ETP Transmission and Schmidt Kupplung will be in attendance to discuss products and applications with you. | |
Tel: 01386 421005 : Email: sales@abssac.co.uk : Web: www.abssac.co.uk |