Tapered bushings, no keywayTapered bushings, no keyway

Illustrating how little improvements can effect big benefits, interchangeable tapered bushings help lower setup, maintenance, and replacement costs for the 7-Series hollow-shaft gear reducers from SEW-Eurodrive.

Problem. Cutting keyways is one of several common methods of mounting a hollow shaft gear reducer onto the solid shaft of a machine. The problem with this method is that the key transmits most of the torque, shortening lifetime and reliability. It also creates potential difficulties during disassembly. Depending on duty time and the environment, oxidation and corrosion can, in effect, "weld" the keyed assembly together as a single unit.

Shrink-to-fit couplings avoid the drawbacks of keyway construction, but offer disadvantages of their own. Specifically, the solid shaft must be turned to exacting requirements, thus low tolerance equals higher cost.

Solution. The opposed inclined surfaces of the TorqLOC(TM) hollow shaft mounting system eliminate the need for cut keyways or expensive machining. The TorqLOC's interchangeable tapered bushings fit to the hollow and solid shafts; wedging one against the other creates a 360-degree interference fit with clamping force evenly distributed in the axial direction. A clamping ring holds the system in place.

Benefits. TorqLOC features include:

For more information on TorqLOC from SEW-Eurodrive, enter 534 atwww.designnews.com/info.