What applications present the biggest challenge in terms of machine productivity?Carl/Ringfeder: Industrial applications, such as highly corrosive environments requiring special stainless steels, are the biggest challenges. Applications in which a locking device is dimensionally too large to fit into a component, or in which the torque requirements are beyond the capability of any device on the market, can also present a challenge.Blair/Ruland: The bolt pattern on locking devices can bring many challenges. Because of the time required to loosen and tighten the bolts, locking devices are not well suited for applications that require regular adjustments. Confined areas can also pose problems because of limited access to the bolt heads. Another challenge for locking devices is equipment with extended length shafts, which can be difficult to service because of the disassembly required, especially AorChucksGauges if the shaft is supported at both ends.

What applications present the biggest challenge in terms of machine productivity?Carl/Ringfeder: Industrial applications, such as highly corrosive environments requiring special stainless steels, are the biggest challenges. Applications in which a locking device is dimensionally too large to fit into a component, or in which the torque requirements are beyond the capability of any device on the market, can also present a challenge.Blair/Ruland: The bolt pattern on locking devices can bring many challenges. Because of the time required to loosen and tighten the bolts, locking devices are not well suited for applications that require regular adjustments. Confined areas can also pose problems because of limited access to the bolt heads. Another challenge for locking devices is equipment with extended length shafts, which can be difficult to service because of the disassembly required, especially AorChucksGauges if the shaft is supported at both ends.

Keith/U.S. Tsubaki: The overall costs of a locking device must be balanced against the requirements of the application. Keyless locking devices handle both high torque and thrust, while increasing shaft strength. They are not affected by torsional load reversal or impact, which can damage keys and keyway connections.Jeff/Tollok: One commonly mentioned advantage of keyless connections is that no secondary processes are necessary. The mechanical interference fit principle of a keyless locking assembly precludes having to cut keyways, tapers, splines, or threads. A straight cut hub with a good surface finish by a machine tool is sufficient. Assembly and disassembly is easy and quick, and angular adjustments can be carried out on the spot. And because the connections are backlash free, you don''t need to compensate for mechanical inefficiencies elsewhere in your machine or controls system. It was a quiet Tuesday morning, about IS minutes before opening the shop doors. All the techs were busy performing their morning rituals -- drinking coffee, reading trade publications and oiling their air tools. Without warning, our otherwise tranquil morning was interrupted by a horrendous screech of brakes as a late-model, metallic-blue BMW M3 slid into the service drive. Steam was billowing out from underneath the engine compartment. The driver, a moderately dressed, thirty-something suburbanite, jumped out and opened the hood. Instantly, a huge white cloud engulfed him and the entire front half of the car. I fully expected that when the fog cleared, at least one of them would have vanished -- like a magician''s disappearing act.