While conveyors are among the most common industrial applications, shaft collars are among the most common industrial components. They are used to guide, space, mount, and align components on shafts and act as mechanical stops. Ruland manufactures shaft collars in set screw and clamp style to give conveyor designers the widest variety of standard options to choose from. Set screw shaft collars use a single set screw that impinges on the shaft to form a secure connection. They are best used in light duty applications such as a spacer or guide due to their relatively low holding power. One- and two-piece clamp style shaft collars are an improvement over set screw collars because they wrap around the shaft allowing for even distribution of clamping forces. Ruland manufactures clamp style shaft collars with precisely controlled face to bore perpendicularity (TIR<.002” or 0.05mm) which makes them an ideal as axial stops or for aligning conveyor components such as bearings on shafts. Each shaft collar is stamped with the Ruland name and bore size for ease of identification. They are available in lead-free steel for high holding power, 303 & 316 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, high strength aluminum for lightweight, and engineered plastic.
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Ruland manufactures two types of quick clamping shaft collars for conveyors: with clamping lever and with cam lever. They require no tools for installation, adjustment or removal making them an ideal fit for guide rail applications where the width of the rail is frequently changed. Quick clamping shaft collars with clamping lever combine a standard Ruland one- or two-piece shaft collar and a lever designed to fit the shaft collar. To operate, all the user must do is lift the handle and turn to loosen or tighten then release. The ability to use one- or two-piece gives the designer flexibility to use a shaft collar even if it needs to be assembled in-place. Quick clamping shaft collars with clamping levers are available in lead-free steel for high holding power, 303 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, and high strength aluminum for lightweight. Levers have a stainless steel threaded stud and internal components with a black or orange zinc plated handle. Ruland manufactures the shaft collar in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory with bore sizes ranging from 7/8” to 1-1/2” or 11mm to 40mm.
Quick clamping shaft collars with cam lever have an integral cam design that sits flush with outside diameter of the collar when fully installed and are finger actuated, allowing for quick installation and adjustments. They are ideal for light duty stationary and low rotating conveyor applications where frequent changeouts are required. They can be used on rail mounts to control positioning. Quick clamping shaft collars with cam lever are available in aluminum for light weight and low inertia. They are manufactured by Ruland in bore sizes ranging from 1/4" to 3” or 6mm to 75mm.
Ruland rigid couplings are a good fit for a wide range of conveyors due to their high torque and torsional stiffness capabilities, maintenance free design, and material diversity. Ruland manufactures rigid coupling in set screw and one- and two-piece clamp style. Set screw or sleeve type rigid couplings utilize set screws to connect to the shaft and are best suited for light duty conveyors where the coupling will not need to be removed or replaced. The clamp style designs are an improvement over the set screw style because they do not mar the shaft, can be infinitely removed or adjusted, and wrap evenly around the shaft for high torsional holding power. Ruland two-piece rigid couplings have the added benefit of opposing screws for a balanced design reducing vibration in higher RPM applications. Ruland clamp type rigid couplings come standard with Nypatch® anti-vibration hardware. Nypatch® is a 360-degree nylon coating applied to the screw threads to provide for even seating of the screw, prevent galling in stainless steel types, and allow for repeated screw installations. It saves conveyor assemblers a significant amount of time as no additional hardware treatment is needed. Ruland also precision hones bores on straight bore rigid couplings, which assures bores are collinear and corrects residual distortions caused by stresses introduced during the manufacturing process, resulting in a round, precisely sized bore. Ruland rigid couplings are manufactured in lead-free steel for high torque capabilities, 303 stainless steel for corrosion resistance, and aluminum for light weight and low inertia. They are manufactured in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory with bore sizes ranging from 1/8” to 2” (3mm to 50mm).
Ruland beam couplings are manufactured from a single piece of aluminum or stainless steel with multiple spiral (helical) cuts allowing for a zero-backlash coupling with higher accuracy and better overall misalignment capabilities than traditional single beam couplings. They are manufactured in 4-beam style for increased misalignment and 6-beam style for higher torque and torsional stiffness capabilities. Beam couplings are best suited for small light duty belt driven conveyors used in applications such as assembly or CNC part loading. These systems often have the motor or driving element mounted directly to the conveyor with no additional support. This can create high degrees of angular misalignment, which is the type of misalignment a beam coupling is best equipped to handle. Ruland beam couplings have high windup when compared to other styles of flexible couplings giving them dampening capabilities that are useful in these conveyors that will experience frequent starts and stops with low torque loads. Beam couplings are manufactured in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory in bore sizes ranging from 3/32” to 3/4" or 3mm to 20mm.
Zero-backlash jaw couplings are a three piece assembly comprised of two aluminum hubs mated together by a center polyurethane element called the “spider.” This multiple piece design allows for a highly customizable coupling that can easily combine clamp or set screw hubs with inch, metric, keyed, and keyless bores. Zero-backlash jaw couplings have a balanced design for reduced vibration at conveyor speeds of up to 8,000 RPM. Ruland offers spiders in three durometers – 98 Shore A for high torque and torsional stiffness, 92 Shore A for a balance of stiffness and compliance, and 85 Shore A for high levels of dampening – allowing conveyor manufacturers the ability to specify the performance that best meets application requirements. The three piece design with multiple insert options is particularly useful in modular conveyor systems that can be used in a variety of applications with different performance demands. The original designer can specify the base model of jaw coupling and let the application engineer or customer specify the bore sizes, keyway needs, and desired performance. Zero-backlash jaw couplings are manufactured in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory with bore sizes ranging from 1/8” to 1-1/4” or 3mm to 32mm.
Bellows couplings are comprised of two anodized aluminum hubs mounted to a stainless steel bellows creating a low inertia zero-backlash coupling that is well suited for speeds up to 10,000 RPM. The thin wall of the bellows allows the coupling to remain flexible under misalignment conditions while maintaining rigidity under torsional loads. Precision conveyors for semiconductor such pallet conveyors often require high speed and torque, which are two of the primary benefits of using a bellows coupling. These conveyors may be positioning sensitive items worth tens of thousands of dollars or more. Size for size, bellows are the stiffest flexible coupling Ruland offers reducing the likelihood of vibration or windup adversely impacting the system. Bellows couplings are manufactured in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory in bore sizes ranging from 1/8” to 1” or 3mm to 25mm.
Adjustable handles are a mechanical component designed to replace standard metric or inch hardware in conveyor applications where the use of tools is not desired or convenient. They are most commonly used to adjust the width and/or height of rail mounts and sensors throughout the conveyor. Handles are an assembly comprised of a handle, spring, serration, inlay, and a threaded stud or threaded hole. Users lift the adjustable hand lever to turn it in either direction and release the handle to anchor it in a new position, significantly reducing the time it takes to reposition components on a shaft. The handles are available with glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic for lightweight and powder coated zinc steel for corrosion resistance and durability. They come in black which is suitable to most industrial applications and orange for safety or easy identification. Inserts are available in steel for high holding power and stainless steel for increased corrosion resistance. The variety of standard stock options offered allows conveyor designers flexibility to select the right part for the application. It is common to see the same conveyor with multiple handle styles. They are sourced from JW Winco and stocked in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory.
Modular mounting systems are a series of components that fit together to make adjustable rail mounts and sensor mounts that integrate directly onto conveyors. Traditionally, the designer must select these components individually and combine them to make a complete system. This is time consuming and leads to a lack of standardization that may be confusing or undesirable for customers. Ruland has greatly simplified this process by offering a number of predesigned systems for the most common conveyor applications. They have some degree of flexibility such as allowing users to select tubes with or without scale and how many adjustable levers they want to use, but the options are intentionally limited to speed up the design process. If users want to start from scratch, Ruland has put together a quick tutorial on how to select the various components to ensure they fit together. All modular mounting system components are sourced from JW Winco and stocked in our Marlborough, Massachusetts factory.
In the ever-evolving world of engineering, where precision, versatility, and efficiency reign supreme, tools that seamlessly integrate these qualities become invaluable assets. One such tool that has proven its worth time and again in the engineering sector is the tube clamp. Although seemingly simple, tube clamps play a pivotal role in a variety of applications, offering a range of benefits that contribute to enhanced project outcomes.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the advantages that make tube clamps an indispensable tool in the toolkit of engineers.
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Structural Integrity and Stability
One of the primary benefits of tube clamps in the engineering sector is their ability to provide structural integrity and stability to various structures. Whether it’s constructing frameworks, assembling piping systems, or fabricating industrial structures, tube clamps offer a secure and stable connection. The clamps are designed to firmly grip and support tubes, preventing unintended movement or shifts during the engineering process. This ensures that the final product is not only precise but also durable and reliable.
Versatility Across Industries
Tube clamps are remarkably versatile, finding applications across a multitude of engineering disciplines. From civil and structural engineering to mechanical and aerospace projects, these clamps adapt seamlessly to diverse requirements. The ability to accommodate various tube sizes and materials makes them suitable for an array of applications, allowing engineers to streamline their tool inventory and improve overall project efficiency.
Rapid Assembly and Disassembly
In many fluid power projects, time is often of the essence and the efficiency of the assembly process can significantly impact project timelines. Tube clamps shine in this regard, as they allow for rapid assembly and disassembly of structures. The modular design of tube clamps facilitates quick adjustments, alterations, and reconfigurations, saving engineers valuable time and resources. This feature is particularly beneficial in scenarios where prototypes or temporary structures need to be assembled and disassembled swiftly.
Precision in Alignment
Achieving precise alignment is critical in engineering projects, and tube clamps excel in ensuring accuracy during assembly. The clamps provide a secure grip on tubes, allowing engineers to achieve the desired alignment with minimal effort. This precision is essential in applications such as robotics, conveyor systems, and other mechanical assemblies where even the slightest misalignment can lead to operational inefficiencies or, in worst cases, system failures.
Cost-Effective Solutions
In an era where optimising costs without compromising quality is paramount, tube clamps emerge as cost-effective solutions for engineers. The initial investment in tube clamps is relatively low compared to other, more complex assembly methods. Additionally, the versatility and reusability of tube clamps contribute to long-term cost savings by eliminating the need for frequent tool replacements or specialized equipment for different projects.
As many industries continue to evolve, the demand for tools that enhance efficiency, precision, and adaptability has never been higher. Tube clamps, with their ability to provide structural integrity, versatility across industries, rapid assembly and disassembly, precision in alignment, and cost-effectiveness, have proven to be indispensable in meeting these demands. From small-scale projects to large-scale industrial applications, the benefits of tube clamps in the engineering sector underscore their significance as a fundamental tool for modern engineers.
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