Flexible shafts allow rotary motion to be transferred along a non-linear path, with the ability to drive through obstacles. They can transfer power or motion and are used in a range of applications, including machining and plumbing. The hydraulic snake is a good example of a flexible shaft in action.
A flexible shaft is a device that allows motorized or manual rotary motion to be transferred along a non-linear path. This flexibility allows the drive for electric motors, motors and hand cranks or cranks to be rotated in any direction and to drive through, or even cross, obstacles. Flexible shaft drives can transfer power and torque or just motion, depending on the application. The driving motion is transferred by a steel coil or wire rope which is equipped with various machine or tool accessories at both ends. This drive mechanism may be exposed or enclosed in a flexible, non-rotating sheath.
Many rotary motion drive applications require some degree of flexibility in the path followed between the drive source and the duty point. The hydraulic snake is a good example of this requirement and also demonstrates the principles of the flexible shaft. This piece of equipment consists of an electric or gasoline motor that drives a tool attachment via a spring-like steel coil encased in a sheath. The flexible nature of the drive shaft allows the plumber to easily feed the tool through fairly complex piping systems. Once the shaft end of the tool has reached the blockage, the motor is started and its rotary power is transferred to the tool, clearing the obstruction.
Flexible shafts can transfer power or simply motion. Hydraulic snake is an example of power transfer where a certain amount of torque is applied to the tool or accessory. Flexible shafts are capable of handling considerable torque and are often used to transfer the motive power of engines in small vehicles. In the case of a flexible shaft potentiometer, however, the shaft only transfers motion with no torque involved. These shafts are often used to connect outer dials with remotely positioned potentiometers that are misaligned with dial position.
The range of possible applications with a flexible shaft is considerable. Many machining applications use stationary motors with flexible shaft drives that allow operators to freely move a rotating tool tip around a work piece without moving the heavy motor. These applications include grinders, disc grinders and drills and are just a few of the many types of final drive fittings available. Flexible shaft drives are also available with drill chucks, attachments for cutting or grinding wheels, magnetic tool bit fittings and a number of other application specific fittings. They can also be fitted with multi-purpose clamps or fittings which can be adjusted by the user to suit individual requirements.
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