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Drive elements - The force and motion transmitting elements

So that machines or parts of machines and systems move or move "something", so-called drive elements are required. These serve to transmit motion or power (drive technology). Naturally, these parts are subject to high demands and heavy wear. It is therefore all the more important that the drive elements are made of high-quality materials, are expertly manufactured and have a long service life. The most common elements include racks, chain wheels, couplings, V-belt pulleys, gears, bearings and gear wheels. Special mechanical drive elements up to a length of 3,500 mm and a diameter of up to 1,200 mm can be manufactured by almost all common manufacturers at the customer's request.

Screwjacks

Screw jacks convert rotary movements into axial movements. An integrated worm shaft is driven by an electric motor. This in turn sets a worm wheel in rotary motion. Drives in the form of lifting systems are used in automated assembly and production facilities.

Couplings

A coupling connects two shafts rigidly, detachably, movably or elastically. A non-rigid coupling can be either a frictional or positive connection. Most commonly used are couplings that are electromagnetically actuated. Examples would be e-magnetic clutches pole friction clutches and tooth clutches. Flexible coupling types include pin couplings and claw couplings. Highly flexible couplings would be flange couplings. Rigid shaft couplings are also available. Torsionally stiff couplings include curved tooth couplings, servo couplings and steel lamina couplings.

Gears

Gears are among the most frequently required drive elements. Designs, variants and models are available in a wide range (butted, milled, ground, helix angle up to 45 degrees, gear qualities according to DIN, process safe, etc.).

Toothed racks

A toothed rack used to be used for the gradual height adjustment of suspensions of pots over an open fire. After industrialization, racks were used to convert a rotary motion into a straight one. The rack consists of a straight element with teeth that mesh with a gear wheel. Applications for this drive technology would be rack and pinion railways, steering gears, or weirs. A distinction is made between square and round, wide and narrow racks. Toothed racks are available in steel or stainless steel versions.

Sprockets

Sprockets are used to transmit large forces. The areas of application are plant engineering and mechanical engineering. They are used in milled or butted versions. Due to the high requirements, quality counts twice as much. Tolerances are important for individual solutions in order to achieve the best result.

V-belt pulleys - grooved pulley or V-belt pulley

V-belt pulleys is the connection of one shaft to another by means of a V-belt. This machine element is among the essential components of V-belt drive. This drive element is used in plastic, aluminium, cast iron and aluminium-cast iron (bimetallic) versions. A further distinction is made between solid pulleys (the grooved profile is connected to the hub over the entire surface), arm pulleys (webs connect the grooved profile to the hub) and base pulleys (the grooved profile is connected to the hub by a pulley). The arm disc is the most commonly used. The area of application and the requirements determine the choice of material.

Clamping bushes

These drive elements consist of a spacer ring and two conical parts. Clamping bushes require very little space due to thin cones. They are therefore particularly suitable for smaller hubs. Designs for achieving high torques and self-centering are possible. Particularly noteworthy is that due to the fixing to the hub, there is no axial displacement to the shaft.

Taper bush

This version is very easy to mount. Finish drilling and grooving are unnecessary. This saves costs. The bushing is clamped onto the shaft at the same time and fixed in the washer with two screws. A keyway connection is only recommended for extremely high loads. Clamping bushes are available in 16 sizes (shaft diameters from 10 mm to 125 mm).

Note

Drive elements are high-quality machine parts and designed for the highest requirements. Nevertheless, they must be handled and maintained with care. "Overloading" (running at higher speeds than permitted) and improper use increase wear. Stainless steel versions are rust-proof and last longer. Especially for machine parts that are in continuous use, it is advisable to go for higher-priced versions. Repairs almost always pay off.