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Interface Introduces New Torque Coupling Guide

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The new Interface Torque Coupling Selection Guide is a valuable tool for determining the correct couplings for your specific transducer and application.

This resourceful guide considers the type of torque sensor you are using, the hub type, the paired sides for connection that is best suited for your test and measurement use case.

Our couplings are durable and made to sustain performance throughout the lifetime of the matching torque transducer’s high accuracy test and measurement conditions. Learn more in our Couplings 101 post.

Interface’s Torque Coupling Selection Guide will help you narrow down your choices and find the coupling that matches your application requirements. Interface Torque Transducer shafts are compatible with either a shrink disk or collar type hub. You have the option to choose from a shrink disk, keyed, keyed large, clamping ring, or a collar hub based on your shaft’s connection requirements. We do offer keyed shaft options for our torque transducers, by request through our custom solutions group.

The types of couplings Interface offers include:

  • Single Flex Floating Mount
  • Double Flex Pedestal Mount

These are offered with the following hub configurations:

  • Shrink Disk – Keyed
  • Shrink Disk – Keyed Large
  • Shrink Disk – Shrink Disk
  • Shrink Disk – Clamping Ring
  • Collar – Collar

Torque transducers require couplings to ensure accuracy and protect your sensor investment. A torque transducer coupling is a specialized coupling that is designed to connect a torque transducer to a rotating shaft and facilitate torque measurement. This ensures that the transducer can measure the torque accurately and reliably, without any damage to the transducer or the shaft. Read more in our post: Torque Transducers and Couplings are the Perfect Pairing.

Additional factors to consider when choosing a coupling:

  • Torque transducer model: Not all couplings are equal. Interface always recommends that the couplings are designed for the specific model to eliminate any concerns with performance and reliability. Go to our torque guide to review available models.
  • Torque range: The coupling must be able to handle the maximum torque that will be applied to it.
  • Speed: The coupling must be able to operate at the desired speed without overheating or causing vibration.
  • Environment: The coupling must be able to withstand the environmental conditions in which it will be used, such as temperature, humidity, and corrosive chemicals.
  • Space constraints: The coupling must be able to fit in the available space.
  • Quality: Interface provides couplings that are made for our specific torque transducers, ensuring they are engineered to the exact specifications of the paired sensor.

When selecting an Interface torque transducer, always request or include the Interface couplings that are designed for that specific transducer model. It is especially important to review the coupling’s features and make sure they are compatible with your transducer. The coupling and transducer are designed to work together, and using the wrong coupling could lead to problems or even damage the transducer.

Without a coupling, the torque transducer cannot be mechanically connected to the rotating shaft or component. As a result, it will not be able to measure the torque being transmitted through the shaft and you lose the ability to correctly monitor and analyze torque.

We always recommend that you connect with Interface’s application engineers if you have questions. Based on experience, they can help you assess your needs and make sure you choose the right coupling accessories.

Interface provides a series of guides to help in selecting the sensor, instrumentation and supporting accessories.  You can find all the online guides here, including the most popular guides:

Learn more about in our Torque Sensor Training: Part 6 Torque Couplings

Torque Transducers and Couplings are the Perfect Pairing

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Torque transducers require couplings to enhance precision and reliability in performance. The pairing ensures accurate measurements. The coupling enables the torque transducer to precisely measure torque while maintaining a secure mechanical connection to the rotating components. This facilitates data collection, analysis, and control, leading to improved performance, efficiency, and reliability when using a torque transducer in various test and measurement applications.

Couplings are designed to provide a strong and secure connection between the shafts, ensuring efficient torque transmission while minimizing stress and wear on the components. They come in distinct types and designs, each suited for specific applications and operating conditions.

For example, rigid couplings provide a solid and inflexible connection between the shafts, allowing for precise torque transmission but offering little or no flexibility to compensate for misalignments. Whereas flexible couplings are designed to accommodate small misalignments and angular offsets between the shafts. They use flexible discs to provide some degree of flexibility, dampen vibrations, and reduce stress on the connected components.

Interface Torque Transducer Models T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T11 and T25 offer a range of product-specific coupling options. It is important to note that couplings are not universal, and your best options are always the couplings designed for the specific model, thus the perfect pairing. To demonstrate the range of options, here is a quick list of coupling designs:

  • Floating Mount Keyed Single Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal or Foot Mount Keyed Double Flex Couplings
  • Floating Mount Clamping Ring Single Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal or Foot Mount Clamping Ring Double Flex Couplings
  • Floating Mount Shrink Disk Single Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal or FootMount Shrink Disk Double Flex Couplings
  • Floating Mount Single Flex Couplings
  • Pedestal or Foot Mount Double Flex Couplings

A torque transducer coupling is a specific coupling designed to facilitate the connection and torque measurement between a torque transducer and a rotating shaft, providing accurate and reliable torque data. Whenever you are selecting an Interface torque transducer, be sure to request or add the Interface couplings that are designed for that specific transducer model. It is especially important to review the couplings features that pairs with your specific transducer. They are designed to work together, and you risk any problems or potential transducer failure.

Torque Transducers Require Couplings for Accuracy and to Safeguard Your Investment

Without a coupling, the torque transducer cannot be mechanically connected to the rotating shaft or component. As a result, it will not be able to measure the torque being transmitted through the shaft. This means you will lose the ability to accurately monitor and analyze torque in the system.

Using couplings is a standard requirement when using a torque transducer. They provide the mechanical connection, transmission and reduce misalignments, which all contributes to accurate and reliable torque measurements with torque transducers.

A coupling provides a means of mechanically connecting the torque transducer to the rotating shaft or component from which torque is being measured. It ensures a secure and reliable connection between the transducer and the system under test. In the absence of a coupling, the torque transducer may not be securely attached to the rotating shaft. This can lead to relative movement or slippage between the transducer and the shaft,

The coupling enables the transfer of torque from the rotating shaft to the torque transducer. As the shaft rotates, the torque is transmitted through the coupling to the transducer, which measures and converts it into an electrical signal for further analysis or control.

A coupling helps to compensate for small misalignments between the shaft and the transducer. Without a coupling, any misalignment between the two components can put additional stress on the transducer and the shaft, potentially causing premature wear, increased friction, or even catastrophic failure.

Couplings can also provide vibration damping properties by design, as they absorb or dampen vibrations and shocks that may be present in the system. This helps to protect the torque transducer from excessive mechanical stresses and safeguards torque measurements. Without a proper coupling, the transducer may also be susceptible to excessive vibrations or shocks, increasing the risk of mechanical failure.

Torque Transducer and Couplings Applications

If you are looking at a torque transducer use case, assume there are couplings that are part of the application. To point out common examples of testing programs that utilize couplings with high-performance torque transducers, the first place to start is in the automotive industry. In the automotive industry, high-performance torque transducers with couplings are used for various testing purposes. For example, during the development and testing of engines, transmissions, and drivetrain components, torque transducers coupled with the rotating shafts allow for precise measurement of torque and power output. Torque measurement data is crucial for performance analysis, efficiency optimization, and durability testing.

Torque transducers with couplings are extensively utilized in the engineering, testing, and use of industrial automation, machinery and equipment. Manufacturing processes that involve rotating components, such as pumps, compressors, and turbines, are using torque transducers coupled with the shafts to provide measurements of torque. Accuracy in data helps monitor the efficiency of the machinery, detect deviations, and ensure standard operation. All of this contributes to preventative maintenance.

There are many R&D use cases where torque transducers with couplings are required. We often see torque transducers and couplings used in material testing and structural analysis. In the renewable energy sector, wind turbines and hydroelectric generators use torque transducers and couplings.

These examples the coupling enables the torque transducer to accurately measure torque while maintaining a secure mechanical connection to the rotating components.  To explore more about couplings, be sure to tune into our recorded torque transducers webinar.


Additional Resources

Couplings 101

Torque Transducer Selection Guide

Miniature Torque Transducers 101

Choosing the Right Torque Transducer

Fuel Pump Optimization & Rotary Torque

A Comparison of Torque Measurement Systems White Paper

Rover Wheel Torque Monitoring

Torque Measurement Primer

New Interface Torque Transducer Selection Guide

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Interface produces content to help our customers in choosing the right force measurement products for their exact application requirements. From our Force Measurement 101 Series to the weekly Interface IQ posts, our focus is in building a repository of support resources that meet the needs of test and measurement professionals across all types of industries.

Our new Interface Torque Transducer Selection Guide helps to quickly evaluate the range of Interface’s torque transducer models based on whether you need a reaction (static) or rotary (dynamic) style. The guide assists in selecting best torque sensor based on features and capabilities, such as bearingless, contactless, compact, miniature, force and torque, overload protected, wireless, and USB output options.

Interface’s new web resource covers several types of torque sensors including flange mount, shaft type, square drive, hex drive, and couplings. If you’ve read our blog Choosing the Right Torque Transducer, which would also be a good place to start, you will understand how important it is to choose the right product, options and accessories for the job.

A torque sensor selection guide is typically used by engineers or technicians who need to choose a torque sensor for a specific application. Here are four easy steps to follow when using the Interface Torque Transducer Selection Guide:

  1. Determine the requirements of your application: Before selecting a torque sensor, you need to understand the specific requirements of your application. This includes the torque range you need to measure, the type of torque reaction versus rotary, shaft or mounting of the components you will be measuring, the environment in which the sensor will be used, and any other relevant factors related to the type of device you choose.
  2. Choose the type of torque sensor: There are several types of torque sensors available, including reaction or rotary, shaft or flange, shaft style, floating or fixed, and bearings or bearingless. The selection guide provides information about the features of each type, so you can choose the one that is best suited for your use case.
  3. Consider the accuracy and resolution: These both are key factors to consider, especially if you need to make precise measurements. The selection torque guide helps deliver specification details for each torque sensor, so you can choose the one that meets your requirements.
  4. Evaluate the physical characteristics: The physical characteristics of the torque transducer includes the size and shape of the sensor, the mounting options, and any distinctive features such as temperature compensation or overload protection.

By following these steps and using the information provided in the Interface Torque Transducer Selection Guide, it is easier to choose a sensor that is well-suited for your application and provides accurate and reliable measurements you require.

The Interface Torque Transducer Selection Guide helps to define the right product, as well as provide supplemental help and answers to frequently asked questions, including:

  • What is a torque transducer?
  • Reaction versus Rotary?
  • Shaft versus Flange?
  • Floating versus Fixed?
  • Bearings versus Bearingless?
  • Dual Range
  • RPM Considerations
  • Accuracy and Resolution
  • Coupling Types

Unsure of where to start? Check out Torque Transducers 101 or Recap of New Twist on Torque including the complete webinar below. In addition to our standard products, Interface has a custom solutions group that can collaborate with you to customize torque transducers, instrumentation, and complete measurement systems to fit your exact needs.  Contact Interface’s torque expert application engineers if you need assistance or require a quote.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

Miniature Torque Transducers 101

Choosing the Right Torque Transducer

A Comparison of Torque Measurement Systems White Paper

Torque Measurement Primer

Aircraft Yoke Torque Measurement

Fuel Pump Optimization & Rotary Torque

CPG Dental Handpiece Torque Check

Torque-Transducer-Brochure

Torque Transducers 101

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Torque is defined as the rotational equivalent of linear force. It’s a measure of how much a force acting on an object causes that object to rotate. This is one of the key measurements for engineers doing design, test, and manufacturing. It’s critical to understand how to identify torque if you’re doing product development with rotating systems such as engines, crankshafts, gearboxes, transmissions, and rotors.

Interface develops more than 50 different kinds of reaction and rotary torque transducers, as well as custom transducers for our customers. All our torque transducers also referred to as torque sensors, are precision-machined and use our proprietary torque sensors for the most accurate data possible, quality and reliability.

Here are some frequently asked questions and details about torque transducers, including key terms and descriptions of reaction versus rotary, shaft and flange style torque, couplings, and floating and fixed mounts.

What is a torque sensor (transducer)?

A torque sensor is a transducer that converts a torsional mechanical input into an electrical output signal.

Reaction versus Rotary

There are two types of transducers that Interface sells, reaction and rotary transducers. Reaction torque transducers measure static torque, or torque without rotating, and are widely used in process control and testing. Rotary torque transducers like AxialTQ measure dynamic force and are used in applications where the torque transducer must rotate when attached to a spinning shaft. A rotary torque transducer provides a method of getting the signal off of the rotating element without an attached cable, while a reaction transducer uses an attached cable.

Shaft and Flange Style Torque

The shaft or flange is the component taking the torque measurement. Shaft style torque offers convenient mounting and has a longer installed length than flange style. It comes in two different versions, smooth and keyed shafts. A smooth shaft provides ease of assembly and disassembly, with zero backlash. Keyed style shafts are simple and less expensive; however, they can suffer from wear due to backlash. The flange style is typically shorter than the shaft style and has pilots on its flange face as a centering feature. This style has better resistance to overhung moments and can be more convenient to mount.

Coupling

Couplings are a critical component to the torque transducer that ensures the isolation of torque loads. Couplings should be used in all applications, and the selection of the coupling type is based on the speed of the application. For higher speed applications, you will want to look for high-quality couplings. The coupling helps to prevent error and/or damage from extraneous loads.

Floating and Fixed Mounts

Floating Style

There are two common types of torque transducer mounts, floating and fixed mounts. For high-speed applications, fixed and supporting mounting is mandatory. For safety reasons, floating mounts should only be used for low-speed applications. In floating mounts, the sensor is supported only by the drive and load side connectors, and a flexible strap keeps the sensor from rotating. Fixed mounts apply only to sensors with bearings, and it involves attaching the sensor housing to fixed support for added stability.

For more information on Interface’s wide selection of torque transducers, please visit www.interfaceforce.com/product-category/torque-transducers/.