Why are Cardan Shafts Used and How to Use Them?

A Cardan shaft, also known by many other names like driveshaft and propeller shaft, is a hardware component that provides torque and rotation. It usually helps in connecting elements that cannot be directly joined because of specific mechanical reasons. Cardan shafts have been used in motorcycles, ships, locomotives, and bicycles.

Applications of Cardan Shafts

Depending on the amount of load and shock, they can carry, Cardan shafts are divided into different categories. These are as follows:

Light - Generators, ventilators, paper machines, wood handling machines, etc.
Medium - Compressors, pumps, small scale mills, wire mills.
Heavy - It is used in marine transmissions, mixers, presses, tube mills, pumps, etc.
Extra Heavy - Crane Accessory, crushers, reeling drives, scale breakers
Extreme - Feed Roller Drives, plate shears.

Installation of Cardan Shafts

Extra care should be taken that industrial Cardan shafts are not knocked or impacted during the process of transportation or storage. Once they have been safely transported the process of installation is as follows:

Before installing all the surfaces, grooves and corners of the shaft must be cleaned properly to ensure there is no remnant dust, grease, or dirt. Otherwise, the torque transmission will not be smooth and efficient. After installation, the drive shafts need adequate lubrication because it will run at very high speeds.

• The driveshaft comes with several components that need to be correctly assembled and fixed.
• An essential part of the Cardan shaft is the spline, which should be guarded against water and dust.
• If more than one Cardan shafts are placed together, they should be installed at 90 degrees to one another.

Precautions & Maintenance of Cardan Shafts

Any Cardan shaft supplier will recommend that a set of regulations and safety precautions need to be followed so that people functioning near the rotating Cardan shafts are not harmed in any way. Here are some of the cares and maintenance measures of drive shafts:

• Mounting and installation operations on these driveshafts should be done by specialized professionals only.
• Make sure Cardan shafts and transported and handled horizontally and not vertically to avoid accidents.
• There are different safety guards available that should be put on the drive shafts to prevent anything from flying off or causing injury.
• Do not place anything on the shaft when it is not moving.
• They generate a lot of heat and remain hot for a long time, even when it’s standing still. Hence, avoid burns by touching the surface.
• The permissible speed of operation should not be exceeded.
• Do not change the balance or make any repair adjustments to the shaft without the manufacturer’s permission.
• Do not clean Cardan shafts with high force jet shower or water pipe.
• Adequate lubrication must be done from time to time.

Characteristics of a Good Cardan Shaft

• It should have high torque at greater deflection angles.
• Should be less sensitive to shock and vibrations.
• Should provide improved productivity in less time.
• They should consume less energy and emit less C02 to the environment.
• The design should be able to withstand low maintenance costs.

Cardan shaft manufacturers advise that regular lubrication of Cardan shafts is essential to ensure that it runs smoothly and remains operational for a long time. Maintaining the balance of the component, and getting it cleaned properly will make it last for many years to come.

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