Page 5 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 7th June 2021

specific but unusual bore sizes of 1.5” with a 1/8”
keyway on one bore, and 14mm with no keyway on
the other. Given that the highest levels of reliability
and precision were essential, the company turned to
Huco. It knew of Huco’s reputation for highly
reliable couplings, and the two had enjoyed several
previous successful collaborations.

Cost-effective modification
With over 40 years’ experience to call on, Huco
offers machine builders access to a convenient and
responsive customisation service that encompasses
its complete range of standard couplings. A brand of misalignment. Huco was readily able to modify the
Altra Industrial Motion Corp., a leading global coupling to provide the required bores and keyways,
supplier of power transmission equipment, Huco in a 47.9 mm long design with a peak torque rating
can offer cost-effective modification and of 11.3 Nm. While a relatively small order such as
customisation on any of the products in its extensive this with an appreciable level of customisation
range, even when only relatively small batches are might have been a challenge for other coupling
required. manufacturers given the deadlines and target price,
Offering an in-house design and manufacturing Huco’s lean, rapid-changeover production capability
capability, Huco has built a reputation for being able made it possible to manufacture the small batch of
to provide customised couplings with a wide range custom couplings as required.
of specifications on short lead times. The company Huco Managing Director, David Lockett,
can complete the design process in days, with comments: “Customised precision couplings are
average sized orders manufactured and delivered in vital for many builders of specialist equipment like
a couple of weeks. planetary scaife benches. The coupling must offer
Working closely with the customer’s technical not only the requisite performance for the
team, Huco engineers selected the Flex M bolted application, but also meet the integration
series membrane-type coupling as the best fit for requirements. An off-the-shelf coupling will
the planetary scaife bench application. These frequently not offer the specialisation required, so a
couplings feature heat treated, spring-quality, customised component is often the best option.”
stainless steel, thin pressed membranes – torque is For the customer, the experience of working
resolved to simple tensile stresses in opposing once again with Huco reaffirmed its excellent
segments of the membranes. The couplings have reputation for price and on-time delivery. As well as
near-infinite life and a dynamically balanced meeting the design specifications in a cost-
construction which makes them suitable for effectively customised product, the modified Flex-M
applications requiring high rotational speed and couplings have also proven extremely reliable, with
motion integrity. the machine manufacturer reporting no field issues
A two-stage version was chosen for its short despite the highly demanding nature of the
envelope and low bearing load, as well as the ability application.
to accommodate up to 2 degrees of angular www.hucodirect.com

June 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p5