What is a Coupling?

Couplings are critical components in rotary motion systems such as driveshafts, generators, and motors. In these applications, couplings join two shafts together to stabilize them against shock load and overload. The joint between shafts can be temporary or permanent.
As an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer, Stafford Manufacturing Corp. is a leading supplier of standard and custom rigid shaft couplings. Our quality products support a full range of OEM and MRO applications in both industrial and consumer settings.

What is the Role of Couplings?

Couplings are defined as mechanical components used to connect two shafts. They serve primarily to transmit energy from the drive side to the driven side of a rotary system, and secondary functions include compensating for misalignment or reducing vibration.

There are two main types of couplings: flexible or rigid. Flexible couplings have greater freedom of motion at the connection point, so they can withstand lateral and axial forces better than rigid couplings. Greater flexibility means decreased torque transmission, so these couplings are best for applications involving some degree of misalignment between the shafts.

Rigid couplings, on the other hand, create an inflexible connection between two shafts. As a result, they can transfer torque more efficiently than flexible couplings. Shafts must remain in precise alignment, since the coupling cannot flex to compensate for deviations. As long as proper alignments are met, rigid couplings offer a secure, precise, and effective means of transmitting power.

Stafford specializes in the high level of precision necessary to produce rigid couplings that are long-lasting and reliable.

We manufacture four main styles of rigid couplings in a variety of materials for both english and Metric shafts. In addition, we offer various bore configurations, including round, square, and hex. 

Rigid Couplings Select a product to learn more One-Piece Split Clamp Coupling Offering straight-through or stepped bores, these rigid couplings enable the transfer of rotary motion from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. They maintain high torsional stiffness and can offer support and extension to shafts. Three-Piece Split Clamp Coupling Three-piece couplings allow greater control over positioning. They maintain the position of one shaft while changing or adjusting the other. Precision Sleeve Coupling Precision sleeve couplings provide a closer fit with an axial runout of less than 0.001 inch TIR. As a result, these couplings allow users to pair two shafts with no backlash or axial motion. Two-Piece Split Clamp Coupling These feature a two-piece clamp for easier installation and adjustment. Two-piece couplings offer the same advantages of one-piece couplings but with the additional ability to service the coupling without removing it from the assembly.

Offering straight-through or stepped bores, these rigid couplings enable the transfer of rotary motion from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. They maintain high torsional stiffness and can offer support and extension to shafts.

These feature a two-piece clamp for easier installation and adjustment. Two-piece couplings offer the same advantages of one-piece couplings but with the additional ability to service the coupling without removing it from the assembly

Three-piece couplings allow greater control over positioning. They maintain the position of one shaft while changing or adjusting the other.

Precision sleeve couplings provide a closer fit with an axial runout of less than 0.001 inch TIR. As a result, these couplings allow users to pair two shafts with no backlash or axial motion.

The ideal coupling depends on your speed and torque requirements, as well as the shafts’ diameters, alignment, and configuration. Stafford offers a standard line of round, square, and hexagonal bore couplings for a variety of applications including food processing and conveying.

Applications for Couplings

Couplings are used across a wide range of power transmission and rotary motion applications. They are often found in pumps, mixers, drive shafts, and turbines. Rigid shaft couplings are used in systems with aligned shafts, especially where the application requires zero backlash. Rigid couplings can fill any of the following application requirements:

Shaft support

A rigid coupling allows a driving shaft to support a driven shaft. This is important when the driven shaft is not bearing-supported.

Shaft connection

Rigid couplings connect precisely-aligned shafts having the same or different diameters.

Shaft extension

A rigid coupling can be used to connect two shorter shafts, allowing them to act as one longer shaft.

Maintenance of high torsional stiffness

Rigid couplings produce zero backlash and zero axial motion, so they are ideal for maintaining high torsional stiffness along a system’s rotational axis.

Applications with these requirements are found in many industries, including:

  • Food and beverage
  • Medical
  • Material handling
  • Packaging
  • Conveyor manufacturing