This lesson is from the subject Machine design, and it is very important on the subject point of view that how shafts and couplings are important while designing a machine.

1. Shaft Couplings

2. Coupling
• A coupling is a device used to connect two
shafts together at their ends for the purpose
of transmitting power.

3. Types of Couplings
Couplings
Rigid Compliant or Flexible

4. Rigid Couplings
• Rigid couplings lock the two shafts together
allowing no relative motion between them.
• Rigid coupling is used for aligned shafts, or
when accuracy of torque transmission is of
prime importance.
• Mostly used for low rotational speed shafts.
• Following are some types of rigid couplings;
1. Setscrew Couplings
2. Keyed Couplings
3. Clamp Couplings

5. Setscrew Couplings
• Set screw couplings use a hard set screw that
digs into the shaft to transmit both torque and
axial loads.

6. Keyed Couplings
• Can transmit substantial power.
• Along with a key, a set screw may also be
used, being located 90⁰ from the key.

7. Clamp Couplings
• It uses one or two piece split couplings that
clamp around both shafts and transmit power
through friction.

8. Flexible/Compliant Couplings
• Flexible couplings permit some axial, radial or
angular misalignment
• Following are some types of rigid couplings;
1. Jaw Couplings
2. Flexible disk couplings
3. Gear and Splines couplings
4. Helical and bellows couplings
5. Linkage couplings
6. Universal joints

9. Jaw Couplings

10. Flexible disk Couplings

11. Gear and Spline Couplings
• Can absorb small angular and parallel
misalignment
• High torque capacity

12. Helical and bellows Couplings

13. Linkage/Schmidt Couplings

14. Universal Joints

15. Rzeppas 6-ball CV Joint

16. Double Cardan Couplings