Couplings and power transmission

All couplings serve to transmit drive torque and angular velocity. But applications for motion control (such as axes to position loads) usually use disc, slit or beam, curved-jaw, bellows, and other zero-backlash couplings capable of precise transmission of torque.

In contrast, applications for power transmission (as in grinding machines, pumps, and material-handling machinery) commonly include disc, gear, chain, elastomer tire, grid, jaw, and Oldham couplings. Such PT couplings transmit more torque on average than couplings designed for motion control … even to millions of lb-in. Plus they’re more rugged to withstand challenging environments.