Oldham Couplings

What is an Oldham coupling?

Oldham Couplings are champions of high parallel misalignment applications. Highly customizable, the three-piece assembly uses three disk materials that can be tailored to the performance required. Oldham couplings can be used in lots of industries, such as food & beverage, using stainless hubs with PEEK disks, the medical industry or semiconductor applications. 

Due to their flexibility, Oldham Couplings are generally considered to be a good starting point in system design.

• Ease of use
• Zero-backlash operation – Tenons on the hub locate in the slots on the disc which allow the Oldham coupling to operate with zero backlash
• Application flexibility - Hubs can be clamp or set screw, keyed or keyless, (providing they are the same diameter) and have inch or metric bores. Disks are available in acetal for zero-backlash and high torsional stiffness, nylon for dampening, and PEEK for high temperature.
• High parallel misalignment capabilities
• Electrical isolation – No metal to metal contact, so delicate instruments can be protected from electrical currents
• High parallel misalignment capabilities - Oldham couplings are capable of accommodating parallel misalignment up to 10% of their OD.
• Blind assembly – Can be used where shaft access is limited
• Mechanical fuse - In a torque overload situation, the disk will fail completely effectively stopping power transmission. This can be used to protect expensive system components from premature wear or failure.
• Low replacement cost - When the coupling fails the disk breaks and is generally the only item that needs replacing. Disks are inexpensive and can be installed quickly leading to reduced downtime

Oldham Couplings FAQs