Pipe
Coupling
Pipe couplings are highly demanded in the pipe fitting market. Pipe
couplings are fittings that help to extend or terminate pipe runs. These
fittings are also used to change pipe size. Couplings extend a run by
joining two lengths of pipe. They are known as reduced coupling if they
are used to connect pipes of different sizes.
Couplings are also known as repair couplings. These couplings are
without stops or ridges and they can be fixed anywhere along the pipe
length for preventing leak of any kind.
Salient Features:
Some important features of couplings are as follows:
- Couplings come in all standard pipe sizes and are available for
almost all types of pipe.
- Available in several finishes.
- Mostly cylindrical in design.
- Couplings compensate for axial, lateral and angular shaft
misalignment.
- Couplings operate in quiet and smooth way.
- There is a great degree of torsional stiffness.
- There is the right angular transmission of angular motion and
torque.
- Usually long life.
- Easy mounting and dismounting.
- Low lateral stiffness etc.
Parts of Pipe Coupling as shown below:
Materials
Used:
Pipe couplings are made of various materials and the buyers should
always consider the material used for making them. Some of the materials
used for making couplings are:
- Brass
- Aluminum
- Cast Iron
- Stainless Steel
- Copper
- Bronze etc.
Buyer's guide
How to evaluate the couplings? There is a long list of
evaluation factors that affect the type of coupling best suited for
an application. It is not necessary that all couplings will have all
the features. The factors to be considered are as follows:
- Design Adaptability
- Alignment Capabilities
- Axial Freedom
- Backlash
- Chemical Resistance
- Damping Capacity
- Ease of Installation
- Fail Safe or Fusible Link
- Field Repairable
- High Speed Capacity
- Inherent Balance
- Maintenance Required
- Number of Component Parts
- Reciprocating Drivers and Loads
- Temperature Sensitivity
- Torque Capacity to Diameter
- Torque Overload Capacity
- Torsional Stiffness
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Designs on couplings:
Couplings are available in various shapes and forms. The various
designs available on couplings can be as follows:
- Grid type
- Gear type
- Disc type
- Rubber/Elastomer element type
- Fluid Couplings
Areas of application for couplings:
Besides being used as an important pipe fitting, couplings are also
used in the following:
- Machine tools
- Assembly machinery
- Industrial robots
- Automated plants
- Printing machinery
- Servo drives
- Robotic axes
- Manipulators
- CNC milling / grinding
- Linear actuators
- Packaging machinery
- Woodworking machinery
- Textile machinery
- Printing machinery
- Metal cutting machinery etc.
Types of Couplings:
Couplings are an integral part of pipe fittings and are of various
types like:
