R+W Introduces Compact Vibration-Damping Safety Coupling

In heavy-duty industrial sectors such as mining, plastics processing, food production and bulk material handling, drive systems must be protected against overloads while maintaining smooth, reliable operation. R+W Antriebselemente has expanded its safety coupling portfolio with a new generation of vibration-damping safety couplings designed to address both mechanical protection and dynamic load behavior in compact drive layouts.

The newly introduced coupling is engineered to disconnect the drive reliably when a defined torque threshold is exceeded, preventing damage to motors, gearboxes and downstream components. At the same time, integrated elastomer elements damp vibrations and load peaks, contributing to stable operation under fluctuating process conditions.

Accurate overload protection with integrated damping
The coupling uses precisely manufactured disengagement modules that separate the driving and driven sides in the event of an overload. The disengagement torque is preset at the factory and can be adjusted by the system operator to suit specific application requirements. This enables accurate and repeatable torque limitation across a wide range of operating conditions.

Elastomer elements integrated into the coupling structure absorb torsional vibrations and oscillations, reducing stress on connected components. This is particularly relevant in applications with frequent load changes, start-stop cycles or uneven material flow, where vibration can negatively affect service life and process stability.

Compact design and simplified integration
A key design change is the integration of the mounting flange directly into the safety coupling. By eliminating the need for an additional intermediate flange, overall weight and mass moment of inertia are reduced by up to 40 percent. This supports faster system response and lower dynamic loads, especially in high-speed or frequently accelerating drives.

The elastic pin coupling design compensates for radial, axial and angular misalignments, helping to reduce bearing loads and alignment sensitivity in real-world installations.

Maintenance-friendly for industrial environments
The coupling is designed for serviceability in installed condition. Pins and elastomer elements can be replaced without removing the coupling from the drive train, reducing maintenance time and minimizing downtime. This feature is particularly valuable in large-scale systems where access is limited or shutdowns are costly.

Application range and performance data
The safety coupling covers torque ranges from 200 Nm up to 40,000 Nm and is rated for rotational speeds of up to 8,500 rpm. In addition to the torque-limiting version, an elastic shaft-to-shaft variant without mechanical overload protection is available, extending its use to applications where vibration damping and misalignment compensation are required without disengagement.

Typical applications include mining and tunneling equipment, extrusion lines in plastics and food processing, shredders, and customer-specific heavy-duty machinery where robustness, precision and ease of maintenance are critical.

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