Precision Shaft Couplings

Precision shaft couplings provide a reliable mechanical connection between rotating shafts, ensuring efficient torque transmission while accommodating angular, parallel, and axial shaft misalignment. Designed for demanding motion control applications, they help improve machine accuracy, reduce vibration, protect drivetrain components, and extend equipment life.

Micromech supplies a comprehensive range of precision couplings to suit applications from high-accuracy servo systems through to general industrial power transmission. Available coupling types include bellows couplings, disc couplings, beam couplings, jaw couplings, Oldham couplings, rigid couplings, safety couplings, and miniature couplings, allowing engineers to select the optimum solution for their machine design.

Each coupling type is engineered to address specific application requirements. Bellows and disc couplings provide zero backlash performance for precision servo systems, while jaw and Oldham couplings offer excellent vibration damping and misalignment compensation. Rigid couplings provide accurate shaft alignment where flexibility is not required, and safety couplings protect machinery from overload conditions by disconnecting the drive when preset torque limits are exceeded.

Selecting the correct coupling is essential to achieving optimum machine performance. Factors including torque capacity, shaft misalignment, torsional stiffness, rotational speed, inertia, and environmental conditions all influence coupling selection. Micromech's broad product portfolio enables machine builders to optimise performance while improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.

Whether used in servo-driven machinery, robotics, packaging equipment, machine tools, or general automation systems, precision shaft couplings help maximise positioning accuracy, improve drivetrain efficiency, and protect valuable motion control components.

Micromech supplies precision shaft couplings as part of a complete motion control and automation solution portfolio for OEMs, machine builders, and industrial automation applications throughout the UK.

Key Features

• Precise torque transmission
• Zero backlash options available
• Compensates for angular, parallel, and axial shaft misalignment
• High torsional rigidity
• Reduces vibration and shock loading
• Protects motors, gearboxes, and driven equipment
• Wide range of coupling designs available
• Suitable for servo, stepper, and general-purpose motors
• Compact, lightweight construction
• High-speed operation
• Low maintenance design
• Suitable for demanding industrial automation applications

Applications

Precision shaft couplings are designed for applications requiring accurate torque transmission, reliable shaft alignment, and protection of motion control systems.

Typical applications include:

• Servo motor drive systems
• Stepper motor applications
• Industrial robotics
• Machine tools
• Packaging machinery
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Material handling systems
• Printing and converting machinery
• Inspection and test equipment
• General industrial automation machinery

Need Help Selecting the Right Shaft Coupling?

Micromech supplies precision shaft couplings, servo motors, gearboxes, motion controllers, and complete motion control solutions for industrial automation applications.

Our engineers can help specify the right coupling for your application.  Contact Micromech

High-Precision Linear Motion

WITTENSTEIN rack and pinion systems are engineered to provide accurate, reliable and efficient linear motion for a wide range of industrial automation applications. Designed as a complete drive solution, they combine precision racks, pinions and planetary gearboxes to deliver smooth motion, excellent positioning accuracy and high dynamic performance.

Available in a range of sizes and configurations, WITTENSTEIN rack and pinion systems can be tailored to suit applications requiring both short and long travel lengths, making them ideal for demanding motion control systems.

Engineered for Reliable Performance

Manufactured to exacting standards, WITTENSTEIN rack and pinion systems are designed to maximise efficiency, minimise backlash and provide smooth, repeatable motion. Precision-engineered components and high-quality materials ensure long service life, while the modular design simplifies integration into new and existing machine designs.

Optimised for Machine Builders

Designed with machine builders and system integrators in mind, WITTENSTEIN rack and pinion systems offer a flexible, scalable solution for linear motion applications. A wide range of rack sizes, pinions and gearbox combinations allows engineers to specify a drive system that meets the exact performance requirements of their machine, whether for high-speed positioning, heavy-duty automation or long-travel motion control.

Key Features

• High-precision rack and pinion systems
• Complete matched linear drive solution
• High positioning accuracy and repeatability
• High feed forces for demanding applications
• Straight and helical rack options
• Precision-engineered components
• Modular system design
• Long service life with low maintenance

Applications

• Machine tools
• Robotics
• Gantry systems
• Material handling equipment
• Packaging machinery
• Laser cutting systems
• Woodworking machinery
• Production automation
• Pick-and-place equipment
• Assembly systems

Need Help Selecting the Right Rack and Pinion System?

Whether you're designing a new machine or upgrading an existing system, Micromech can help you find the right WITTENSTEIN rack and pinion solution. Our experienced engineers provide expert advice on product selection, gearbox matching and motion control integration, ensuring you receive the optimum solution for your application.

Contact us today to discuss your application or request expert technical advice from our team.

Thomson high-load ball screws are ideal for large fabrication machines in injection molding, pressing and metal fabrication. They move heavy loads in horizontal and vertical axes accurately and safely, while providing long and reliable life with minimum maintenance. Our standard portfolio contains sizes up to 160 millimeters in diameter with a maximum dynamic load of up to 1,440 kN. Thomson also has the capability to customize these ball screws according to your specific application requirements.

High-Load Ball Screw Highlights:

• Increased capacity for high load applications at high speeds and long lifetimes
• More economic solution vs. roller screws
• Lead accuracy of up to ±6 µm/300 mm
• Compact, simple design allows for downsizing, less weight
• Optimized ball nut design for maximizing load capacity
• Available with up to 15 m screw length and with single or double nuts
• Multiple preloading options available
• Smooth, quiet motion

Thomson Bearing Supports are a complete package for simple mounting of Thomson ball screw assemblies. They feature rugged steel construction, a low profile, and a compact design. Both Base and Flange mounting configurations are available - with dual angular contact bearings or floating radial bearing. All Thomson Bearing Supports are available off-the-shelf, come pre-assembled, and are ready for immediate installation.

Bearing Support Highlights:

• Rugged steel construction
• Low profile, compact design
• Base or Flange mounting configurations
• Pre-assembled and ready for installation
• Available off-the-shelf

Precision Plus Ground and Whirled Ball Screw Assemblies are the highest precision product available, with standard lead accuracies of ±6µm/300mm. These ball screw assemblies feature a FL-Style ball nut, precisely preloaded to customer specifications. This unique nut design provides high repeatability and high stiffness for the most demanding ball screw applications. Each nut comes standard with an integral Delrin wiper to protect against chips and other debris.

Precision Plus Ground Highlights:

• Lead accuracies up to eight times those of conventional ball screws for an immediate improvement in machine accuracy
• Zero-lash, preloaded designs available with a high stiffness that provides positioning accuracy and repeatability for machine tools, robots, material handling systems, electronic component insertion systems, and more
• A gothic arch ball groove geometry to extend service life, and optimize stiffness in preloaded assemblies
• Maximum lead error - ±6µm/300mm (.0005"/ft)
• Integral wipers and flanges contributing to system cleanliness and mounting ease
• Optimum efficiency and cost savings when replacing expensive hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Predictable service life for the most reliable system designs

Metric Rolled Ball Screw Assemblies are designed to provide quiet, smooth running, efficient performance. Ball screws are manufactured using Thomson’s patented, German-engineered Precision Screw Forming (PSF) Technology, which provides high accuracy (±23µm/300mm standard) with the manufacturing efficiency of rolled processes. Ball nuts are manufactured with one of three ball return systems (depending on the diameter and lead of the screw) made with reinforced steel, making them extremely durable and ideal for high speed, high load, and/or high temperature applications. Ball nuts come standard with profiled wipers to contain lubricant and help repel fine contaminants (dust, powder, etc.).

Precision Rolled Metric Highlights:

• Manufactured by patented PSF (Precision Screw Forming) technology
• Offers low cost, high precision performance in applications typically requiring ground screws
• Responsive manufacturing & delivery times.
• No hard spots in the screws that can mar the ball surfaces and shorten screw life.
• Smoother and quieter running due to superior surface finish.

Miniature Metric Precision Ball Screws are an efficient and cost-effective solution in a small envelope, ideal for use in small spaces, like in laboratory, semiconductor, and medical applications. Ball screw assemblies range from 8 to 12mm in diameter with leads from 2 to 5mm - all with standard lead accuracies of ±52µm/300mm.

Highlights:

• Design maximizes load capacity
• Flexible ball nut mounting configurations
• Higher load capacity, longer life
• T7/P5 standard accuracy class
• Cost-effective, small envelope
• Rapid prototyping
• Smooth, efficient, ideal in small places
• Wide assortment of leads available
• Clearance held to .05 mm max
• Optimum performance in low and high lead assemblies

Thomson Precision Rolled Ball Screws come in a full range of diameters, leads, and ball nut configurations, in either preloaded or non-preloaded types, all in industry-standard envelopes. They provide dependable accuracy and repeatability at an economical price. Featuring Tangential Ball Returns, a Thomson design which minimizes recirculated bearing ball deflection, for smoother and quieter operation. Standard flanges are offered for many of our ball nut models

Precision Rolled Highlights:

• When replacing conventional actuation systems (such as acme screws, hydraulics, or pneumatics), ball screws can use smaller, less-expensive drive motors reducing the need for auxiliary equipment
• Over 90% efficiency with a constant low coefficient of friction
• Dependable accuracy and repeatability at an economical price
• Gothic arch ball groove geometry extends service life, reduces lash, and optimizes stiffness in preloaded assemblies
• Optional wiper kits and end support blocks increase service life
• Available in a full range of diameters, leads, and nut configurations, either preloaded or non-preloaded types
• Non-standard lengths available