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Torque Limiting Couplings

Protect mechanical equipment, or its work, from damage from mechanical overload.

Preventing Torque Overload with SAFEMAX® Torque Limiting Couplings

Torque overload is often unpredictable, and if not considered in machinery design, it can cause severe equipment damage, leading to extended and costly downtime. SAFEMAX® torque limiters are engineered to prevent such issues by instantly disconnecting the motor side from the driven side when a torque overload occurs. This rapid disengagement eliminates the risk of expensive downtime. Additionally, these limiters are torsionally rigid and backlash-free, allowing for quick and precise re-engagement once the overload cause is resolved.

Key Features

» Backlash-free torque transmission for accurate performance.
» Low moment of inertia to enhance efficiency.
» Compact and maintenance-free design for reliability.
» Ultra-fast disengagement within 1 to 3 milliseconds.
» Simple and safe torque adjustment.
» Automatic re-engagement
at 360° or in preset phase positions.
Equipped with regressive springs, these torque limiters ensure immediate disengagement within milliseconds during an overload. Once normal conditions resume, the limiter automatically re-engages at 360° or an optional preset phase, protecting the machine while maintaining seamless operation.

Benefits

Overload Protection
Torque limiters safeguard mechanical components by disengaging the drive when torque surpasses a preset limit. This prevents breakdowns caused by sudden load spikes or misalignments.

Reduced Downtime
Over-torque conditions can lead to equipment failure, requiring costly repairs and causing production delays. Torque limiters minimize these risks, ensuring continuous operation.

Extended Equipment Lifespan
By controlling excessive torque, these limiters reduce stress on connected machinery, prolonging the life of gears, bearings, and shafts.

Enhanced Safety
These couplings prevent the transmission of excessive forces, protecting both operators and machinery, particularly in high-speed or heavy-load applications.

Backlash Explained (using spider coupling as example).

Coupling backlash explanation, image 1, backlash.

Backlash

Backlash is the clearance or gap between the trailing or non-driving surfaces of the coupling jaws and flexible element, illustrated in red in the diagram.
When used in reversing or heavy cyclic applications, where the coupling is required to rotate in both directions, the application must be considered with the type of use, number of starts per hour considered and an appropriate service factor applied to  prevent premature failure of the coupling element. Standard spider 'teeth' are curved in two directions.
Coupling backlash explanation, image 2, non-backlash.

Non-Backlash

The coupling element and claw profile are designed such that  the element is compressed when the coupling is assembled in order to remove backlash, typical applications are for indexing or positioning drives such as lead screws or encoders where a  high  degree  of accuracy is required. The pre-compression or preload of the element whilst providing greater accuracy also increases the dynamic torsional stiffness from 25% to 75% over the standard element at 50% of it's nominal torque rating, (depending on coupling size), thus maintaining accuracy even after extended periods of use. Non-backlash spider 'teeth' are curved radially and parallel axially.

The Role of Torque Limiting Couplings in Protecting Process Industry Machinery

In process industry machinery, torsionally rigid, backlash-free torque limiting couplings are essential components for ensuring both safety and reliability. They safeguard high-value equipment from unpredictable overloads caused by material jams, blockages, and other faults common in processing environments.

Common Applications in the Process Industry

Conveyor and material handling systems:
Torque limiting couplings prevent damage to conveyor motors, gearboxes, and belts during sudden overloads from material pile-ups or blockages. Acting as a mechanical “fuse,” they instantly disconnect the drive to protect key components.

Mixers and agitators:
In chemical, food, and pharmaceutical plants, torque limiters protect mixers and agitators from catastrophic failure due to sudden blockages or rapid changes in material viscosity.

Extruders:
In plastic, rubber, and food processing, extruders are highly vulnerable to torque overloads from material blockages. Torque limiting couplings shield the extruder screw, gearbox, and motor from costly damage.

Pumps:
In processing and wastewater treatment plants, pumps face potential blockages from foreign objects or solidified materials. A torque limiter protects both the pump and its drive system from excessive mechanical stress.

Ball mills:
In mining and cement production, torque spikes during heavy load processing can threaten drive components. Couplings help prevent drive system damage and extend equipment life.

Key Benefits in Process Plant Environments

Prevent costly downtime:
In continuous production, unplanned downtime is extremely expensive. Torque limiting couplings prevent catastrophic failures, minimize production interruptions, and extend machinery lifespan.

Enhance safety:
By instantly disconnecting the drive during an overload, torque limiters protect both machinery and personnel.

Rapid, repeatable disengagement:
High-quality couplings can disengage within milliseconds of exceeding the preset torque, providing immediate protection against hazardous conditions.

Precision and reliability:
Torsional rigidity and zero-backlash performance ensure precise torque transmission under normal operation, crucial for applications requiring consistent accuracy.

Versatility for diverse conditions:
A range of torque limiting coupling designs are available to meet specific industry needs, including models suited for high-speed operation, wash-down environments, and harsh process conditions.

Automatic re-engagement:
Many torque limiters automatically re-engage once the overload condition is cleared, allowing production to resume quickly and reducing the need for manual intervention.

By integrating torque limiting couplings into process machinery, plants can achieve higher reliability, lower maintenance costs, and improved safety across a wide range of demanding applications.

#ProcessIndustry #IndustrialAutomation #Manufacturing #IndustrialSafety #EquipmentProtection #MachineReliability
Specification of torque limiting couplings found in this on-line » catalogue « link
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