S.S. White Aerospace

Build your own Flexible Shaft

We provide two types of flexible shafts; standard flexible shaft called Ready-Flex ® and Custom Design.

Ready-Flex ® assemblies are made with pre-designed components with a finite range of options.  These designs are often used in industrial applications and machinery. They are meant for applications that fit the following criteria.

  • Non-flight applications
  • Carbon steel flexible shaft cores
  • PVC casings with carbon steel liners
  • Female couplings in standard bore sizes

Please fill out the technical options below to determine if your specifications meet our Ready-Flex ® line or Custom.  If your specifications meet our Ready-Flex ® a part number will be generated below.

  Ready Flex Shaft - Part No.

Step 1. Measurement Unit

Step 2. Shaft Rotation

Shaft RotationShaft rotation decides the pitch of the shaft and strength of the layers that follow.  It can be either Bi-directional or Uni-directional (Clockwise or Anti-clockwise), when viewed from the driving or driven end.  The strongest layer of a flexible shaft is in the direction that tightens the outer layer of wires (TOL).



Step 3. Application Torque Requirements

This is the maximum continuous torque that you will be transmitting through the shaft. It will determine the shaft’s diameter for your applications. You can either provide the and RPM required for us to calculate the Torque (OR) directly provide the Torque Value.

Step 4. Minimum Bend Radius

Bend RadiusThe shaft’s minimum bend radius is the smallest radius a Flexible Shaft can operate in without externally applied torque load and retain its normal life expectancy. Choose the closest minimum bend radius from the drop-down menu or if unknown, compute using the bend radius calculator.

 (OR)
Reference Table:

Step 5. Shaft Diameter

The diameter of a flexible shaft directly affects the shaft’s bend radius and length; the diameter determines the flexibility of the shaft. When determining the bending or torsional stiffness (Low, Medium or High) it is desirable to choose the shaft with the lowest bending stiffness.  Lower bending stiffness correlates to lower torque to rotate which is measure of the internal friction in the shaft. Based on your Minimum Bend Radius we have provided two shaft diameter options to choose from.

 (OR)
Reference Table:

Step 6. Length

Shaft LengthShaft length is determined by closely approximating all bends and offsets of the application. The key to measuring the length is to measure along the centerline of the shaft. Please enter shaft length.

Step 7. Casing

Step 8. End Couplings

End couplings attached to the driving and driven elements of your application. If you select Oilite or Ball Bearing please choose your Bore size.


Fitting End fittings attached to the driving and driven elements of your application.

Step 9. Optional Details


(Expected operation time of the Flexible Shaft. Determines endurance life required.)

Step 10. Contact Details

Please enter your Company and Contact Details below. We will get in touch with you with a quote ASAP.

 
 
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