Posted to News on 27th Apr 2012, 12:13
Bellows couplings for solar manufacturing equipment
Ruland Manufacturing is promoting its range of bellows couplings, saying they offer a high degree of accuracy and repeatability for applications in the renewable solar energy sector, including test and measurement, wafer handling, panel processing, and vision systems for PV and CPV cell, panel, and thin-film production equipment.
The combination of anodised aluminium hubs with a stainless steel bellows results in a lightweight, low-inertia coupling that remains stiff under torsional loads. A balanced design reduces vibration for high-speed applications up to 10,000rpm. Bellows couplings are able to accommodate all types of misalignment with low bearing loads due to the thin stainless steel walls of the bellows. They are zero backlash and have no moving parts, allowing for a potentially long, maintenance-free life and making them suitable for high-end stepper or servo driven systems.
Ruland offers clamp or set screw style bellows couplings with straight, stepped, or inch to metric bores ranging from 3mm to 25mm. Stainless steel hubs, keyways, and other custom design features are available by special order. To find out more about Ruland's range of bellows couplings, visit the website at www.ruland.com.
