CD Coupling with Improved Torsional Stiffness

Higher performance by using a CD coupling

CD^® Coupling provides improved torsional stiffness for increased throughput on packaging machines.

Achieving high torsional stiffness and zero backlash in a packaging system driveline is challenging and essential where precise alignment of the packaging materials is required for a consistent, quality product.

Zero-Max application engineers met the challenge with a customized CD coupling. The original packaging system gearbox and driveline did not use a CD Coupling and had excessive torsional compliance. When the system accelerated and decelerated, a torsional windup occurred between the system’s large diameter turntable and the servomotor position. The windup was causing a rotational “bounce” when stopping the turntable, requiring a settling time, which reduced throughput on the machine.

A stiffer gearbox and a coupling with higher torsional stiffness were needed. The customer chose a flanged gearbox which eliminated an output shaft and one source of compliance. This design allowed Zero-Max to substitute a flange adaptor to its field-proven CD coupling in place of the standard coupling hub. This design simplified the driveline with fewer components and improved the performance. Also, a special extra-stiff CD disc pack was added to the modified coupling, providing the extra torsional stiffness needed, allowing for increased volume throughput of the machine.

CD Coupling Improves Performance While Eliminating Problems

The high torsional stiffness of the CD Coupling improved the indexing motion of the turntable. It eliminated the rotational “bounce” which reduced the settling time, increasing the production capacity of the packaging machine. The disc pack design also handles misalignment, while keeping the reaction loads on the connected bearings and components to a minimum, ensuring long life in the machine. Additionally, the coupling has an aluminum hub and flange which reduces the weight and inertia of the system.

The customized CD Coupling provided a straight-forward solution. It was easy to install by simply removing the failed coupling and connecting the new CD Coupling’s flanged hub design in the system’s power train, without having to redesign or relocate any machine components.

Coupling Expertise Makes A Big Difference

Zero-Max is ideally qualified as the premier supplier of custom couplings. The CD Coupling’s composite disc design, along with over 3-decades of CD Coupling product history and application experience, allow Zero-Max Engineers to provide a superior solution for the most demanding applications.

Zero-Max often utilizes Finite Element Analysis in the design of custom disc packs and reviews various application requirements such as torque, speed, torsional stiffness, misalignment and dimensional fit to ensure a proper design is made for high performance and long lifetime in challenging applications.

Custom designs from Zero-Max include couplings handling high power and precision in a small space envelope, large scale floating shaft couplings, high misalignment and high torque couplings, high speed couplings, high precision couplings – plus many more.