Quick-clamping shaft collars need no tools

Paul Boughton

Ruland is now manufacturing quick-clamping shaft collars for which a European patent has been obtained. The collars allow for quick adjustments and do not require tools, so they are suitable for printing, packaging, medical, machine vision or semi-conductor manufacturing equipment where it is necessary to retain frequently adjusted items such as rolls of media, guide rails or other setup fixturing - or anywhere that the use of tools is impractical or inconvenient.

Quick-clamping shaft collars are easily installed; the collars slide on the shaft smoothly and there is easy finger access to the handle that allows them to be removed or positioned without tools. The handle can be locked, thereby fixing the collar in place. When installed, the handle is flush with the outside diameter, which makes them suitable for rotating and stationary applications alike.

The design features a tension-adjustment screw that makes the collar suitable for shafts with tolerances and also enables the 'holding power' to be adjusted. The collars work well on split hubs as well as on solid shafts. They can be modified by adding mounting holes so they can be face-mounted on other components.

Ruland's quick-clamping collars are made from aluminium for low weight and inertia, and have an anodised finish. The hardware on the collars is made from stainless steel, which makes them suitable for wash-down applications, medical applications and some food applications. Quick-clamping shaft collars are available with bore sizes from 5/16 to 1.5inches and 8-35mm.

Ruland shaft collars are also available in one- and two-piece clamp-style designs and a set-screw design. They are manufactured in a variety of materials including 316 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, Rohs-compliant yellow zinc plating, high-strength aluminium with an anodised finish, black oxide carbon steel, and engineered plastic.

For more information, visit www.ruland.com

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