What Are Shaft Bushings and Their Types?

Within the realm of bushings, the shaft bushing is a special type that is designed to be implemented within moving shafts. In general, bushings are hardware that may be used to facilitate the movement of two surfaces that are attached to one another, providing a cushion between parts while mitigating noise, vibration, and other adverse forces. With a shaft bushing, devices can be directly mounted onto shafts with ease while loads are effectively transferred. Based on the type of shaft one is discussing and the device it will be mounted to, one may choose from a number of shaft bushing shapes and sizes.

 Across the market, there are a number of shaft bushing types, each being beneficial to different applications that range in the type of device that is being mounted and the form of shaft that the device is mounted on. For the most common options, one may choose between keyless, quick disconnect, taper locking, and split taper variations. As each differs in capability and design, it is important to have a basic understanding of them.

With a keyless shaft bushing, shafts can be fastened with ease and without facing any backlash. Furthermore, they are capable of being easily mounted upon plain shafts, and they are suitable for use in small bearings. With the quick disconnect shaft bushing, the user is treated to high simplicity and ease-of-use, both of which can be very beneficial. With rapid installation, quick disconnect types are relied on for mounting pulleys on shafts.

Taper locking shaft bushings feature a threaded and flangeless design, and they are able to perform optimally within high-torque and flush mounting settings. As the final common option, the split taper shaft bushing is denoted by its double-barreled design. With this construction, the bushing is able to establish an extremely firm grip on the shaft that deters the chance of slippage.

If one has two shafts that need to be connected but they are both of a different gauge or bore, then a specialized bushing known as a shaft bushing adapter will need to be used. Shaft bushing adapters are specifically designed for shafts of different sizes, and they act as connectors that establish a link that is secure and reliable. Without such components, the only way to establish any connection between shafts would be to have the same exact thickness between the two. As such, adapters ensure more flexibility to save time and money without risking incompatibility issues, damage, etc.

If the driveshaft and a driven shaft of a drivetrain need to be connected, a shaft coupling will be used. With these components, internal flanges and threads enhance torque, and power is optimally transmitted as the couplings grip both shafts with mechanical flexibility. To protect shafts, a shaft sleeve may be used, those of which slide across shafts to offer a second layer that is durable, self-lubricating, and/or resistant to corrosion. The final common part within the family of shaft bushings is the split bushing, that of which is used to reduce shaft friction with pre- or self-lubrication.

Whether you need a shaft bushing, shaft coupling, shaft sleeve, split bushing, or other such hardware, there is no better source for all your operational needs than Purchasing Management 360. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we offer customers access to over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items that have been sourced from top global manufacturers that we trust. If you find any items of interest on our website, fill out and submit an RFQ form at your earliest convenience, and a member of our team will reach out to you with customized quotes for your comparisons in just 15 minutes or less. 

1. jacob williams
2. Posted on October 3, 2022
avionics