Coupling systems for material handling and mixing technology
15.04.2026
This is where materials are conveyed, sorted, mixed or processed: we are talking about efficient, structured material flow and gentle, efficient batch homogenisation in process engineering or the chemical industry. Our new industry pages, ‘Material Flow and Conveyor Technology’ and ‘Mixing and Agitation Technology’, show you just how varied the requirements can be across a wide range of processes, and how customised coupling systems – such as high-torque rigid couplings or backlash-free compensating couplings – respond to these demands as a key integral component of the drive train in these systems.
Pluggable or one-piece micro-couplings for optical measurement systems
09.04.20206
Whether in medical and pharmaceutical technology, precision engineering, or in experimental set-up and prototype development – high-performance optical systems provide the helping hand for a wide variety of measurement, inspection and analysis tasks. Thanks to carefully coordinated components, comprising periscopes, optical integrators and various laser-lens-filter assemblies, these optical sensors enable the determination of the finest measurement parameters with the highest accuracy, for example to verify compliance with geometric dimensions of components and small parts, or for measuring the thickness of coatings on surfaces such as printed circuit boards or metal layers. In the motion control of these delicate systems, tiny, precise micro-couplings support accurate adjustment tasks. Depending on the range of requirements, pluggable Oldham couplings or one-piece all-metal couplings such as Sliflex spring-bar couplings, Diskflex disc couplings or Beamflex series helical couplings prove their worth here. These compensating couplings are available in very small sizes ranging from 5.9 mm to 12.7 mm and are suitable for shaft diameters starting from 1 mm. If these measurement tasks and the associated micropositioning are carried out under vacuum conditions, outgassing of materials is undesirable. The release of trapped gases or the evaporation of materials could lead to contamination and condensation on optical components. Miniature stainless steel couplings with displacement compensation are the appropriate option for this purpose.
New elastomeric insert for enhanced vibration damping
02.04.2026
In colour psychology, the colour blue symbolises calm and harmony. It is no coincidence that the new elastomer insert with a Shore hardness of 98A, made from TPU, for our Jawflex is exactly this colour. This is because the thermoplastic polyurethane used in its construction effectively dampens vibrations, ensuring smooth, balanced operation of the entire drive train. This ensures harmony and satisfaction amongst all the machine components involved in vibration-critical applications.
The Jawflex range thus offers a wide variety of elastomer couplings – with clamping hub and adjusting screw, with clamping hub in a half-shell design or clamping ring hub – fitted with matched preloaded elastomer inserts made of TPU and Hytrel.
Compact rigid coupling StepBore in the drive of innovative book digitisation systems
16.03.2026
We walk reverently and slowly through the well-attended library rooms – our eyes constantly focused on the search for writings that are often centuries old. Carefully opened and majestically displayed, they wait in protective glass cases for their amazed viewers. A large crowd gathered around one of these glass steles tells us that there must be a particularly precious exhibit to admire here. We would love to leaf through these early examples of human printing and writing and catch a glimpse of their contents. However, for understandable reasons, this is not permitted in order to protect these historical treasures. In order to preserve these valuable cultural treasures for posterity, scanning and archiving these historical documents in libraries and museums is essential for the protection of these unique writings. Only in this way can they be made permanently and globally accessible to a wide audience of researchers, students and history enthusiasts. Innovative book digitisation systems with adjustable, motorised book cradles take over the highly efficient scanning process in high-end quality. The absolute focus is on extremely gentle handling with minimal contact with the fragile documents. In such an adjustment unit, the compact Torqmax StepBore ZMC rigid coupling in the drive train supports the precise connection of shafts with different diameters. Made of anodised aluminium, the shaft coupling impresses not only with its slim design, but also with its very low moment of inertia and its range of possible combinable bore diameters per coupling size. Depending on the size, up to 9 different bore diameters are available. For corrosive environmental conditions or hygiene-critical applications, the product range also offers 4 coupling sizes with selected bore diameters made of stainless steel.
High-speed coupling in a highly automated optical inspection system
02.02.2026
It is not only the actual assembly of printed circuit boards that takes place at breakneck speed for maximum productivity. It must also be ensured in no time at all that these printed circuit board assemblies are manufactured with 100% accuracy so that any errors in these components can be responded to and corrected as quickly as possible. Highly automated optical inspection systems are essential for checking the assembled printed circuit boards. They use optical 3D technology to obtain additional precise measurement data, including height. Under the motto ‘Everything for fast testing’, the AOI systems work with high-speed feeding and unloading systems as well as fast-moving, nimble optical measuring heads. The lightweight Speedmax high-speed coupling is the perfect partner for the drive train of such innovative systems. It combines a balanced ratio of damping and torsional stiffness and, depending on its size, is designed for speeds of up to 42,000 rpm. The functional element of the Speedmax consists of the synthetic polymer HNBR, a hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber. This encloses a ‘finger-like’ hub structure made of lightweight aluminium, which protrudes from the outer hubs into the functional area and is vulcanised into the HNBR. With its spirited and precise character, the high-speed coupling thus supports the accurate and reliable recording of measurement data in the inspection systems. Nothing stands in the way of the incoming motto.
Backlash-free beam coupling in automatic cleaning systems for wafer manufacturing
19.01.2026
The requirements in micro-semiconductor manufacturing are becoming increasingly complex. In complex photolithography processes, ultra-fine layout and design templates are applied to the flat top layer of the wafer surface. This then forms the structural basis for the final assembly process, consisting of various circuits and components. This exposure process is based on what is known as a photomask. Its high-resolution, light-sensitive surface allows light pulses to be precisely transmitted or blocked. This makes it the actual ‘blueprint’ for the highly complex circuit patterns on the substrates of the respective wafers. In order to preserve this important master template permanently even after countless exposure processes and to maximise its service life, it undergoes regular processing in automatic cleaning systems. This is divided into different phases, consisting of pre-treatment, cleaning and removal of adhering, disruptive particles from the surface, and final preservation. In such systems with high precision requirements, the Beamflex spiral coupling in a lightweight, low-inertia aluminium design is the ideal coupling solution. It derives its performance characteristics from two sets of multiple spiral cuts. This design enables high displacement capacity combined with high torsional stiffness. The miniature beam coupling used also features a standard rear rotation in the functional area so that shafts can protrude into the interior of the coupling and thus be close to the end face while maintaining the full displacement capacity of the coupling.
New industry shop ‘Assembly technology’
09.01.2026
Attributes that would also apply perfectly to a high-performance athlete: well-trained and weight-optimised, nimble and agile, and blessed with high power density – this is what the ideal servo coupling for assembly technology must be like. After all, its place is in highly dynamic, frequently reversing pick-and-place precision applications. Permanent start-stop operation and speeds that make your head spin – that's exactly what these lightweight and backlash-free shaft couplings are waiting for.
Visit these powerful helpers in our new ‘Assembly Technology’ industry shop.
Stainless steel multi-disc coupling: New size for even more delicate applications
15.12.2025
High-temperature applications, applications under vacuum conditions or media influence – the Diskflex GDC-SS with its stainless steel hubs and spacers loves special environmental conditions. To ensure that the stainless steel multi-disc coupling fits like a glove even in more delicate small-format applications, there is now another miniature version with an outer diameter of 16 mm. This means that the series currently has a total of 13 coupling sizes with outer diameters from 16 to 94.5 mm and covers a range of nominal torques from 0.6 to 150 Nm. Potential areas of application for these corrosion-resistant Diskflex couplings include applications with elevated thermal ambient conditions, vacuum technology, valve manufacturing, and systems in the paint, paper, and textile industries.
By the way: Do you also have an extreme space problem in your application? No problem, we offer an even more compact version for these cases. This new, slim miniature version ZDC16-SS and 6 other sizes fit perfectly into the narrowest gaps.
Compact Oldham coupling range expanded with additional sizes
13.10.2025
Axially pluggable, modular design for combining a wide variety of bore diameters, electrically insulating and extremely easy to relocate – these are the features of the slim Oldham coupling. If there is not enough space for the already very short cross-slide coupling, Orbit Antriebstechnik offers variants for extremely limited installation spaces with the ZOC (clamping hub version) and ZOS (adjusting screw version) series. For even more torque and radial displacement, the latter series has now been expanded to include two new sizes, ZOS53 and ZOS70. The range of these compact Oldham couplings now comprises a total of 10 sizes for nominal torques from 0.2 to 65 Nm and radial displacement values of up to 3.5 mm.
Precision and dynamics in modern laser cutting machines – in top form with the right compensating coupling
18.08.2025
Innovative laser cutting technology combines many advantages when processing a wide variety of metals. On the one hand, it ensures clean, burr-free cuts with consistently high quality and, on the other hand, it offers high production speeds with minimal material waste. When cutting contours from a wide range of sheet thicknesses and materials, these automatic cutting machines operate with high dynamics and process reliability. The precise cutting of even highly complex contours requires the optimal interaction of all components involved in the precise drive train. A minimised mass moment of inertia, high torsional stiffness and freedom from play are of utmost importance for the compensating coupling as an integral component in order to support the dynamics and precision of these modern laser cutting machines. The CD A1C composite multi-disc coupling demonstrates its strengths here and scores points with its precision and lightness. The shaft coupling, equipped with lightweight aluminium clamping hubs, has a disc pack made of a high-performance fibre composite material in a unique design. This gives it high torsional stiffness combined with high universal displacement capacity. For automatic laser cutting machines that are designed as modular gantry systems, the torsion-resistant shaft couplings are also available as intermediate shaft couplings with intermediate sleeves in lengths that can be selected according to customer specifications, ensuring precise synchronisation of the cutting processes in these dynamic multi-axis systems.
Torqmax rigid coupling fulfils the high torque requirements in fully automatic bagging systems
04.08.2025
The new home has been proudly purchased, the ink has not yet dried on the purchase contract, and the project is already taking its course. The substance of the house is to be renovated, everything is to be made nicer, cosier and more modern. Warm feet in the bathroom and living room is a top priority and can only be realised by installing underfloor heating. ‘Recognition for those who do things themselves’ is the motto of a large DIY chain. So off we go to the nearest DIY store and head straight for the screed and mortar department. There they are, the large 25 kg or 40 kg paper sacks with our intended contents. A question that is perhaps not of primary importance for the realisation of the project, but how does this powdery product actually get into these weighty, colour-coded containers with gram accuracy? Fully automatic bagging systems ensure highly efficient and precise filling with exact repeat accuracy and without compromising the respective product quality. Various production stages are involved here - from the filling process to the closing of the valve bags, cross bottom bags or gusseted bags and the final palletising process. In such bagging systems, the Torqmax rigid coupling proves to be an ideal partner for the high torque requirements of the systems and for the precise transmission of the drive power. The torsionally rigid shaft coupling has decisive quality features. Honed bores in the version with continuous shaft diameters guarantee the highest surface quality and requirements in terms of dimensional tolerance and shape accuracy. In addition, most of the couplings have a special screw lock that ensures that the high-quality hexagon socket screws used retain their clamping force permanently, even in the event of vibrations, so that the rigid coupling transmits the torque permanently and reliably. If an installation-friendly and time-saving design is required in the respective system, the two-part shell coupling ensures radial installation. For bagging systems for filling food packaging with special hygiene requirements, the Torqmax rigid coupling is available in one-piece and two-piece stainless steel versions. The StepBore version is the solution for systems with different shaft diameters in the drive train.
New size of high-speed coupling for an even wider torque range
14.07.2025
Permanent unrest in the drivetrain, extremely high speeds or highly dynamic start-stop positioning tasks with frequent reversing operation - challenges that can cause slight wrinkles on the forehead when selecting the right compensating coupling. The Speedmax high-speed coupling provides a reassuring remedy. The backlash-free equalising clutch is designed for speeds of up to 42,000 rpm, depending on the size. The high-speed coupling continues to be characterised by the damping of vibrations that occur while maintaining torsional rigidity. An additional size has been added to the range so that the lightweight clutch can be used in an even wider performance range. With the newly added size GSC 27, the product portfolio now includes 10 sizes in a nominal torque range from 1 to 65 Nm.
Find out more about our high-speed shaft couplings in our ‘High-speed couplings’ category or visit our themed shop of the same name.
The Gearmax 5000 bevel gearbox made of stainless steel
01.07.20205
From the tree or field to the table - stainless steel bevel gearboxes for the production of fresh food convenience products
We all know that the German Nutrition Society recommends eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day for a vital and healthy life. But our everyday lives don't actually allow us to pick or harvest these vitamin-rich treats ourselves every day, so we resort to convenience products to save time. Sliced or diced, completely peeled or in strips - these colourful, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat healthy products smile at us from the supermarket shelves and encourage us to buy and eat them. However, in order to be able to present these fresh-cut products without any loss of freshness and flavour while retaining their vitamins, these products undergo several gentle processing stages and processes, from gentle heat treatment, chopping and portioning to final packaging. The Gearmax 5000 bevel gearbox made of stainless steel is the perfect partner in the drive train of such production processes. Equipped with a housing and shafts made of 1.4401 stainless steel, it not only fulfils the high hygienic requirements, but also ensures efficient right-angled deflection of the drive and guarantees low-noise operation even at the highest speeds. The corrosion-resistant bevel gearbox is provided with lifetime lubrication and is therefore maintenance-free. .
Find out more about our corrosion-resistant stainless steel drive bevel gearbox Gearmax Series 5000.
