Low Cost Automation Tutorial

#007 : Selecting shaft holders

Category : Linear Motion Components

August14, 2009

L shaped shaft holders are available in four shaft mounting configurations. Characteristics for the four types are organized below as selection references.

The holders in [Fig.1 Side insertion type] and [Fig.3 Separate type] have similar appearances with a difference only in shaft mounting methods. It can be seen from the figures that the shafts are inserted/removed in different manners. The difference affects the moving table assembly procedure and maintenance work. Chart below compares the differences of the four types.

Name

Shaft mounting method

Characteristics

Standard Type
（SHKLM）

Shaft is held directly with a hex socket set screw.

・	Shaft retention strength is not very high.
・	Not suitable for applications where rotation and axial force in imparted on the linear shafts.

Slit type
（SHKSM）

Shaft mounting bore has a slit at 12 o'clock, and a screw tightens the slit to retain the shaft.

・	Shaft retention strength is high and reliable.
・	The shaft can only be inserted horizontally, causing limitations in assembly/maintenance due to interferences with surrounding mechanisms.

Side slit type
（SHKWM）
-See [Photo 1]-
-See [Fig.1][Fig.2]-

A slit is located on the side of the shaft bore, and a screw is tightened to clamp the linear shaft.

・	Same as above.
・	This type differs from the top-slit type only in the direction of the screw tightening direction, but all three bolts can be tightened from above.

Separate type
（SHKPM）
-See [Fig.3]-

Shaft bore is horizontally cut and made into two separate pieces. Two screws are used to clamp down on a shaft.

・	The linear shaft can be placed either from the side or top, making for easier maintenance.
・	Higher complexity in work due to increased part count.

[Fig.1][Fig.2]

[Fig.3]

Other than the types shown in the table above, there are four other shaft holders such as T-type, bottom mount type, and side mount type. These can also be selected based on the perspective shown below.

Perspective for shaft holder selection

	1.	Assembly/maintainability
	2.	Placement relationship with surrounding components

	3.	Degree of mounted part strength
	4.	Ease of standardization

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