8 Common Shaft Collar Uses & Industrial Applications

Few mechanical components are as versatile and widely used as shaft collars. These seemingly simple devices are vital across a multitude of applications and industries, ensuring the smooth operation of machinery, enhancing safety, and contributing to precision in numerous applications. Let’s take a closer look at common collar shaft uses and explore their significance in different sectors.

Common Uses for Shaft Collars

Shaft collars are specialized one- or two-piece components that fit over a shaft, rod, tube, cylinder, or pipe. A clamp screw on the outer diameter of the collar provides radial holding power to prevent the collar from moving out of position. For certain applications, some shaft collar varieties allow for quick adjustment during operation. Collars can be used individually, mounted to a flat surface, stacked with or mounted to additional collars, or welded to other components.

These indispensable devices ensure the stability, control, and safety of mechanical systems across many different applications, such as: 

• Shaft positioning: Shaft collars restrict radial and axial movement to ensure mechanical integrity in equipment.
• Bearing retention: Shaft collars eliminate axial creep so bearings and other rotating parts stay properly aligned.
• Sprocket or pulley mounting: Shaft collars secure rotating components to maintain their placement and aid torque transfer.
• Shaft identification: Collars can be used as visual markers to quickly distinguish shafts from each other or as reference points for adjustments, measurements, or maintenance.
• Clamping and locking: Shaft collars can secure handles, levers, or knobs that are subject to vibration or operational stress.
• Safety stop devices: Shaft collars limit the range of motion of machinery parts to stay within safe operating parameters, including gradual movement due to vibration or heavy use.
• Axial force distribution: Shaft collars act as thrust bearings and distribute axial forces to reduce wear on bearings, shafts, and other components exposed to axial loads.
• Spacer devices or spacer positioning: Shaft collars can serve as spacers, maintaining precise distances between components. 

Industry-Specific Applications

Shaft collars are beneficial for many types of machinery and mechanical systems that are commonly used in different industries. The following are some of the many industries that use equipment containing shaft collars:

• Manufacturing and Robotics: Shaft collars are used in various types of manufacturing and robotics equipment, including conveyor systems, robotic arms, and CNC machines.
• Heavy Machinery & Aerospace. Shaft collars help to align and guide the proper movement of shaft components in engines, aircraft control systems, and drivetrain assemblies.
• Agricultural Machinery: Shaft collars enhance efficiency and safe operation in irrigation systems, tractors, harvesters, and other heavy farm machinery.
• Other Industries: Shaft collars are also heavily used in the mining, military and defense, food and beverage, laboratory/research, marine, medical, oil and gas, optical, power transmission, and retail industries.  

Stafford, Your Trusted Shaft Collar Manufacturer

With over five decades of experience, Stafford Manufacturing is a leader among shaft collar manufacturers and distributors. We provide standard and custom collars to fit every need with options for design, material, and finishing. Bore holes are available in many sizes in round, threaded, square, and hex shapes. We also supply rigid shaft couplings and flanged or other collar designs.

Our custom manufacturing capabilities include CAD design and engineering based on your requirements. Shaft collar assemblies and component parts meet ASA/ASME/ANSI B18.3, RoHS, and REACH standards and we are ISO: 9001:2015 certified. 

Contact us or request a quote today to discuss how we can support your projects with quality shaft collar solutions.