What Are Shaft Collars and Their Common Types?
A shaft collar is a simplistic component that may be found in various types of power transmission assemblies and other applications. While coming in a number of variations, most shaft collars consist of a metal or plastic ring that has one or more screws. The screws on the shaft collar are capable of moving in and out of the side of the shaft when tightened and loosened, and they are used to secure the machine component around a shaft. When a shaft collar is tightened onto an assembly, they can operate as a mechanical stop that either holds parts in place or acts as a load bearing face. Due to their ease of installation and capabilities, shaft collars can be found in numerous assemblies and settings.
When searching for a shaft collar for your particular operation, it is important to be familiar with the most basic types. Additionally, there are numerous materials that manufacturers take advantage of for shaft collar production; the most common are aluminum, stainless steel, steel, or alloyed steel that has a zinc, chromium or black oxide coating. While metals are the most popular, some shaft collars are made with nylon and other non-metallic substances.
The most widely produced type of shaft collar is the set screw variation, that of which was originally manufactured for the line shafting of old manufacturing mills. In the present, set screw collars are regularly used for basic shaft positioning, and it is important that one is careful during installation so that the set screw does not cause damage to the shaft. To prevent such a situation, small flats may be implemented alongside the set screw.
To remove the issues associated with set screw shaft collars, the clamping style collar was created. These come in one-piece and two-piece variations, each of which compress the collar to secure the assembly in place. For compression, friction between the shaft and collar is utilized in lieu of screws. They are also fairly easy to install, and the force that they induce on the shaft is distributed in a uniform fashion. Despite the security of a clamping style collar under constant loads, sudden fluctuations in force may cause the collar to move. If this is a concern, a positive stop should be implemented to mitigate the effects of shock loads.
One-piece shaft collars, also referred to as c-style collars, are simplistic in design and can establish equally distributed force around a shaft with the tightening of a single screw. One-piece shaft collars are unable to be disassembled, so it is important that they are placed appropriately within a system. Two-piece shaft collars, on the other hand, can be disassembled in their entirety, making them a more advantageous option when the end of the shaft may not be accessible. Furthermore, their increased holding force, compression uniformity, and shock-load resistance is also highly beneficial for a number of applications and requirements. Alongside one-piece and two-piece shaft collars, quick-clamping collars are another variation that shares resemblance to the one-piece type. However, quick-clamping collars utilize a lever to open and close the collar, rather than relying on the tightening of a screw.
Axial shaft collars are another type alongside the others, featuring a single bolt and nut that allows the component to surround the shaft of an assembly. The bolt is specifically designed with kerf cuts, resulting in compression against the shaft when a mating nut is tightened onto the fastener. With a wrench for tightening the nut, an axial shaft collar can remain secure for simplistic applications such as camera tripod leg adjustment.
The final common type of shaft collar is the threaded collar, and such components exhibit interior threading that allows them to be used with threaded shafts. Due to their threading, they can benefit applications that have heavy-loads that necessitate high axial holding strength. Alongside their holding power, threaded shaft collars are also known for their precision in placement and ease of adjustment.
Various types of shaft collar components can excel in specific settings, though their applications are quite diverse in general. Supporting the operations of automation machinery, medical equipment, optical measuring instruments, power transmission, and more, it can be highly beneficial to have the highest quality shaft collars for your requirements. At Unlimited NSN, we can help you source all the shaft collar components you need with unmatched pricing and lead-times.
Unlimited NSN is a premier supplier of aviation, NSN, and electronic parts, offering customers access to a plethora of top-quality items that have been sourced from leading global manufacturers that we trust. Explore our massive part catalogs at your leisure, and you may receive quotes for your comparisons through the submission of an RFQ form online. If you are facing a time constraint and require parts fast, our supply chain network allows us to expedite the shipping process for domestic and international orders. When you are ready to experience the future of part procurement, get in touch with a representative today!
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