Types of Shaft Keys

A machine has many parts, and every part has a significant role to play in its production process. One component which may look small but is responsible for holding the machinery together is the Shaft Key. It is a piece of steel that is used to connect the shaft to the machine’s rotating element like the pulley or the hub. Shafts mechanically transmit powers that are used for generation of rotary motion or torque from a point to another, so different type of keys are used to mount these mechanical elements.

Types

Shaft Keys requires key seat on both the shaft and the mounted element. To be able to fit into different types of elements, distinct keys are made, that are classified on the basis of their manufacturing process:

• Parallel Keys

This is the most common and the standardized version of key that is used in almost all industries. Parallel Keys Manufacturers make their cross section in either square or rectangular form, which have a uniform thickness and width; hence the name. Square key is mainly used for small applications where the shaft size is not too big, while the rectangular one is used for diameters above 6.5 inch or when the wall of the mating is too big. It is majorly used where there is a requirement of pulley, gear or other mechanical parts to slide with the shaft. Parallel Keys Suppliers in Mumbai are known for products that are quality tested and reliable.

• Woodruff Keys

This key is in the shape of a circle and consists of a semicircular key shaft, that when installed leaves an extended tab. It has a cylindrical disc that contains segmented cross section when viewed from the front. This key is capable of titling if used in shafts where the curvature of both components is same. This key is majorly used in automobile construction though it has a lesser shear strength as compared to parallel key.

• Tapered Keys

These keys have a rectangular varying cross section but are tapered on the side that engages the shaft. Tapered keys are also attached with a gib; hence they are mainly used for their easy assembly or removal. Though it can attach itself firmly to the mating object, they are known to cause the center of shaft to become misaligned.

Thought they are commonly known for their use of transmitting power from rotary elements, Keys also acts as fuse to protect the machine and the operation by destroying itself first. Parallel Keys Suppliers in Mumbai provide products that have many engineering and industrial applications. For more details, please visit: http://www.shaktiindustry.in/.

Shakti Industries is a Mumbai, Maharashtra-based Manufacturer and Supplier of Industrial Machine Keys.