Before our present sophisticated assemblies and even more sophisticated electronics, flexible couplings were just something to connect two rotating shafts. Today flexible couplings must be thought of as a precision technical component, just as important as any other component in the system.

All elements of the component must be reviewed in selecting the proper one for the job. A decision should be based on no more or no less than the assembly requires with a reasonable safety factor. Torque, wind-up, backlash, inertia, hysteresis, axial motion, radial and axial loads, resonant frequency, misalignment capabilities, speed, weight, eccentric motion, vibration transmission, thermal and electrical isolation are all critical in the selection process. The primary function of a flexible member is to protect the bearings, all of the other elements of the flexible coupling’s performance determine how well the rotary transducers and system will perform.