Are there washers or couplers available for motors with flat shafts?

[rafehi]

Hi all,

I bought a small gearhead motor for a uni project, however the shaft is a strange shape. Round for the most part with a flat section. Not sure how I'd connect it to something? I could use glue I guess but would prefer a cleaner solution. Is there washers/couplers for these type of shafts that are easily available? Been searching online for a good hour with no luck.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Hi all,

I bought a small gearhead motor for a uni project, however the shaft is a strange shape. Round for the most part with a flat section. Not sure how I'd connect it to something? I could use glue I guess but would prefer a cleaner solution. Is there washers/couplers for these type of shafts that are easily available? Been searching online for a good hour with no luck.

That is a very common shaft for a motor. The flat spot is to be used with a set-screw to hold the coupling in place whicle in motion.

You can find a coupling that will work at http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2DRVSH?SISHNO=14263762&SISRCH=1&SIS0NO=1490332&SIT4NO=92383665".

 

[rafehi]

That is a very common shaft for a motor. The flat spot is to be used with a set-screw to hold the coupling in place whicle in motion.

You can find a coupling that will work at http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2DRVSH?SISHNO=14263762&SISRCH=1&SIS0NO=1490332&SIT4NO=92383665".

Most of those components are more expensive than the motor...just to clarify, the motor's shaft is only ~2mm. Also, I didn't see any thing there that wasn't fully round.

[PLAIN]http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/productLarge_7971.jpg

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Let me ask you this- what are you trying to attach to the motor's shaft? Are you using a coupling? The hole the shaft goes in will not necessarily be D-shaped; as I said the flat spot is for a set-screw in whatever part you're attaching to the motor's shaft.

Good place to look for motor couplings from several companies: http://www.globalspec.com/SpecSearch/Suppliers/Motion_Controls/Power_Transmission_Mechanical/Flexible_Couplings

 

[rafehi]

Let me ask you this- what are you trying to attach to the motor's shaft? Are you using a coupling? The hole the shaft goes in will not necessarily be D-shaped; as I said the flat spot is for a set-screw in whatever part you're attaching to the motor's shaft.

Good place to look for motor couplings from several companies: http://www.globalspec.com/SpecSearch/Suppliers/Motion_Controls/Power_Transmission_Mechanical/Flexible_Couplings

Trying to attach it to a wooden axle. While I managed to get a D-ish shaped hole, the shaft grinded it round when the load got to heavy. Decided to just drill a flat screw through the axle onto the flat end of the shaft to keep it in place and it seems to be working well enough.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Trying to attach it to a wooden axle. While I managed to get a D-ish shaped hole, the shaft grinded it round when the load got to heavy. Decided to just drill a flat screw through the axle onto the flat end of the shaft to keep it in place and it seems to be working well enough.

That's working because that's how it's supposed to be used. Making a D-shaped hole is expensive and unnecessary.

 

[rafehi]

That's working because that's how it's supposed to be used. Making a D-shaped hole is expensive and unnecessary.

Now I get what you were trying to say! So those small holes on the side of the couplers are for set (flat) screws?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Now I get what you were trying to say! So those small holes on the side of the couplers are for set (flat) screws?

Thanks for the help.

Excactly!

 

[sophiecentaur]

Flats on shafts can also be used in conjunction with 'Cotter Pins' like we used to have on all bicycle pedal cranks.