Andrew/Whittet-Higgins: One pitfall is not allowing the needed spacing in the assembly housing. If the components are not locked together properly, the machinery can fail prematurely. A second pitfall is assuming that a particular torque measurement for one component is correct for the entire assembly.Jim/Stafford: * Using a set-screw collar on a hardened shaft. The screw does not "set," and holding power is greatly diminished.* Using a set-screw collar on thin-wall tubing, which can permanently distort the tubing.* Specifying too thin a width on a clamp-type collar, leaving it too weak to resist distortion when the clamp-screw is tightened.* Specifying too thin a clamp-slot on threaded shaft collars where the collar must flex more Air in order to adequately clamp onto the threaded shaft.

Andrew/Whittet-Higgins: One pitfall is not allowing the needed spacing in the assembly housing. If the components are not locked together properly, the machinery can fail prematurely. A second pitfall is assuming that a particular torque measurement for one component is correct for the entire assembly.Jim/Stafford: * Using a set-screw collar on a hardened shaft. The screw does not "set," and holding power is greatly diminished.* Using a set-screw collar on thin-wall tubing, which can permanently distort the tubing.* Specifying too thin a width on a clamp-type collar, leaving it too weak to resist distortion when the clamp-screw is tightened.* Specifying too thin a clamp-slot on threaded shaft collars where the collar must flex more Air in order to adequately clamp onto the threaded shaft.

Another important thing to consider is minimum hub thickness, which is calculated based on such factors as locking device outer diameter and surface pressure. The hub should be thicker than this value to prevent excess stress and early failure. Locking device manufacturers typically provide this formula.Andrew/Whittet-Higgins: Consider all costs of the assembly rather than the individual costs of each component.Keith/U.S. Tsubaki: Go keyless. Keys and splines weaken the shaft by cutting into it, requiring a larger shaft and accompanying parts, such as bearings, Topl to handle the higher forces.End-user adviceWhat should Nibblers END USERS do to maximize life and productivity?Carl/Ringfeder: Pay close attention to the OEM''s service instructions and use the locking device Air manufacturer''s technical information to help with replacement or reinstallation. Warren/Fenner: In general, locking devices don''t require any maintenance or special attention to maintain their performance and maximum life.