Manufactured by global bearings manufacturer The Timken Company, parts distributor Bearing Man Group’s (BMG’s) Quick-Flex couplings are able to withstand the most extreme mining conditions, including temperatures as high as 100 ºC.

The Timken Quick-Flex couplings, which require minimal maintenance, can be applied to hydraulic applications, pumps, gearboxes, compressors, vibrator screens and fans; they are designed to transmit torque from a driving shaft to a driven shaft and to accommodate shaft misalignment within the drive. They also dampen vibration and torque fluctuations and smooth torsional shock loads.

“An advantage of Quick-Flex drive couplings over conventional units is direct replacement with virtually all comparable-sized couplings. Quick-Flex couplings require no lubrication and are easy to install and maintain,” says BMG power transmission GM Carlo Beukes.

He adds that the Timken Quick-Flex couplings comprise two steel coupling hubs that are attached to the drive and the driven shaft. A urethane element wraps around the two hubs and provides an effective drive mechanism.

Beukes explains that the only spare part required is a standby element that can be quickly changed when necessary. The cover, which secures the insert, can be installed on either side of a standard coupling hub and will not move under misalignment.

“Owing to the high torque capacity of this range, the selected Quick-Flex solution is often smaller than the replaced coupling. This leads to a major weight saving on the drive and also reduces stress on other components. These couplings are ideal for heavy start-ups of shock loads because they have an impact load capacity in excess of 200% of the maximum torque rating,” he says.

Once the two coupling hubs, as well as the insert and cover, have been installed and aligned for the first time, the coupling hubs do not need to be moved again for the life of the equipment. Unlike a standard jaw-type or gear coupling, there is no metal-to-metal contact between the hubs.

Beukes points out that this prevents any possible damage to the ironware during an element failure. The urethane insert can be easily changed without moving the hubs or shafts and no realignment of components is necessary.

“Inserts, which are resistant to chemicals, are manufactured from different grades of urethane to suit various industries. The red insert is made from relatively soft urethane and is suitable for most high-speed applications with high levels of vibration. This insert is also designed for quick starting and stopping of high inertial loads and for reversing applications,” he highlights.

Beukes says the Timken Quick-Flex couplings, with the stiffer blue insert for higher-torque applications, can withstand operation in temperatures between –50 ºC and 100 ºC and are an efficient replacement for gear, disk or grid-style couplings.

“White inserts are manufactured from a heat-resistant urethane compound for high-torque, high-temperature applications, up to 177 ºC. Couplings with the black insert can withstand extremely high torque requirements, replacing gear-style couplings,” Beukes states.

Quick-Flex couplings are compatible with shaft sizes from 10 mm to 286 mm and can accommodate a wide speed range – from below 100 rpm to 12 000 rpm. Torque ratings range from 43 Nm to 188 795 Nm, depending on the selected element and cover design.

The flexibility of this design makes these couplings suitable for many applications – from high-speed, low-torque, excessive-vibration drives, to a low-speed, high-torque application. These couplings accept angular misalignment up to 2º and parallel shaft displacement of up to 1 mm.

Beukes concludes that, through BMG’s assistance with careful and accurate product selection, correct installation and appropriate care of couplings, substantial savings can be made in reduced maintenance costs and minimal downtime.