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