Connect shafts and ball screws to high-speed servomotors and stepper motors—these shaft couplings handle four times more speed than standard servomotor couplings. They’re often found on high-torque motors that frequently start and stop, such as those used with packaging machines, press brakes, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

With aluminum hubs joined by a flexible fluoroelastomer or nitrile rubber core, these shaft couplings dampen vibration and adjust for misalignment. When machines accelerate and decelerate quickly, these couplings remain stiff to maintain accuracy and repeatability, which prevents equipment from moving out of place. They also resist backlash, meaning all of the turning force from the motor is passed on to the connected shaft. The core resists water, petroleum-based chemicals, and inorganic acids while also insulating bearings, encoders, and other shaft components from stray electric current. Clamping screws provide hold without marring shafts; they’re useful in applications where shafts are frequently assembled and disassembled.

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Each hub includes a set screw (unless noted), which bites into your shaft to hold the coupling in place. Also known as Lovejoy® couplings, these three-piece couplings have a spider-shaped cushion between two hubs to reduce shock and handle minor shaft misalignment.

A complete coupling consists of two hubs and one spider, or two hubs, one split spider, and one retaining ring (all components sold separately). Split spiders are easier to install and replace than standard spiders because there’s no need for tools or removing your hubs. Twist-lock them in place using a retaining ring.

Buna-N spiders provide good vibration damping and chemical resistance. Hytrel spiders provide fair vibration damping and excellent chemical resistance. Polyurethane spiders and split spiders provide fair vibration damping and good chemical resistance.

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The thick split spider on these couplings takes on twice as much torque as standard split spiders, while a set screw holds the hubs in place on your shaft. Also known as jaw couplings, use them to connect motors to pumps, mixers, and other high-torque equipment. You don’t need to lubricate them.

For a complete coupling, you’ll need two hubs, one split spider, and a split spider cover (all sold separately).

Hubs attach to the end of your shaft.

Split spiders cushion between the two hubs to dampen vibration, reduce shocks, and handle shaft misalignment, extending the life of bearings, seals, and motors. You can replace them without having to remove the hubs or move your shaft and equipment around, which reduces the risk of needing to realign the shaft. Spiders with medium-soft hardness are the most commonly used and are good for applications that start, stop, and reverse often. Those with medium hardness handle higher torque than those with medium-soft hardness, but they don’t reduce vibration as well.

Split spider covers hold the spider in place.

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Designed to grip evenly around your shaft, these couplings provide more holding power than set screw couplings without marring the shaft. Tighten the clamping screws to secure. Also known as Oldham couplings, they have a slotted disc that allows hubs to slide independently—good for applications with parallel shaft misalignment. They also allow zero backlash (no play) and never need lubrication.

A complete coupling consists of two hubs and one disc (each component sold separately).

Aluminum hubs are lightweight and have good corrosion resistance.

Acetal discs stand up to high twisting forces. Nylon discs have excellent vibration and shock absorption. PEEK discs have excellent impact resistance and the chemical resistance to withstand a variety of acids and other harsh substances.

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Safely connect slightly misaligned shafts near food lines—the spider on these couplings contains metal, so it’ll trigger a metal detector if a piece frays off and contaminates your batch. The hubs are made of 303 stainless steel to resist rusting in wet conditions common to food plants. However, these couplings shouldn’t directly touch food, since they’re not FDA compliant. If the spider fails, the hubs will interlock, giving you time to shut down equipment before other components break. You don’t need to lubricate these couplings.

Also called Lovejoy® and jaw couplings, a complete coupling requires two hubs and one spider (all sold separately).

Hubs attach to the end of your shaft and have a set screw that bites into the shaft to hold the coupling in place.

Spiders cushion between the two hubs to reduce shocks and handle minor shaft misalignment. Metal-impregnated Buna-N spiders are the most commonly used and are good for applications that start, stop, and reverse often. They also dampen vibration and resist some chemicals. Metal-impregnated Hytrel spiders run at higher torque and resist chemicals better than Buna-N spiders. However, they shouldn’t be used in applications that start, stop, and reverse frequently.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Made with lightweight nylon sleeves, these gear couplings require less energy to move than other high-torque flexible couplings. They compensate for parallel, angular, and axial misalignment. Fasten to your shafts by tightening the set screws, which bite into the shaft to hold it.

A complete coupling consists of two hubs and one sleeve (each component sold separately).

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.