Flexible Shafts

Flexible shafts provide rotary power transmission along curved or adjustable axes. They are used in a wide variety of remote control, valve actuation, and power transmission applications. There are two basic types of flexible shafts: unidirectional and bidirectional. Unidirectional shafts rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as viewed from the motor or drive-end of the shaft. They are used for power transmission along non-linear axes in industrial automation, heavy-duty, and specialized applications such as agricultural equipment, speedometers, dentistry, woodworking, and jewelry tools. Bidirectional flexible shafts can be rotated in either direction or reversed. They are well-balanced in both directions and suitable for cyclic applications. Some flexible shafts are corrosion resistant or can withstand environmental contaminants such as dust, fluid, and oil. Others have a casing around the shaft for protection and safety.

Specifications for flexible shafts include maximum speed, torque capacity, diameter, minimum bend radius, length, stiffness, torsional deflection and axial stretch. Maximum speed is the maximum, rated rotational speed under load. Units of measure include revolutions per minute (rpm), revolutions per second (rps), and revolutions per hour (rph). Torque capacity is the maximum, continuous torque transmission for which flexible shafts are designed. Torque, the measure of force applied to a member to produce rotation, is determined by multiplying the applied force by the distance from the pivot point to the point where the force is applied. Shaft diameter includes the shaft casing and helps determine speed and torque requirements. Minimum bend radius is measured during shaft operation. End-to-end length is measured along the centerline of the shaft. 

Flexible shafts differ in terms of materials and applications. Most products are made of carbon steel, stainless steel, tempered steel, music wire, rocket wire, bronze alloys, or copper alloys. The aerospace industry uses flexible shafts in thrust reverser actuation, variable bleed valve, magazine drive shaft, rescue pump, scavenger pump and flap actuation systems. Automotive applications include automatic pedal adjustment, sliding door adjustments, and power seating tracks. Flexible shafts are also used in industrial power tools and reach rods for valve removal. In the medical field, flexible shafts are used in biopsy probes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) drug delivery, orthopedic instruments and eye surgery.

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  Couplings are divided into categories: Rigid and Flexible As compared with flexible couplings, rigid couplings have limited application. Rigid couplings do not have the ability to compensate for shaft...
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• Shaft Flexible Couplings - Application Considerations (.pdf)
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• Flexible Shaft Coupling Primer

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Part Numbers for Flexible Shafts