Keys and Pins
BY
ENGR MUHAMMAD IMRAN HANIF
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
MED CECOS
Keys and Pins
“key” is a flexible mechanical element that is used to prevent
relative motion between two rotating elements i.e. gears and
pulley”
Keys and pins are used on shafts to secure rotating elements, such
as gears, pulleys, or other wheels.it used to enable the transmission
of torque from the shaft to the shaft-supported element.
Pins are used for axial positioning and for the transfer of torque or
thrust or both. Pins are useful when the principal loading is shear and
when both torsion and thrust are present.
Taper pins are sized according to the diameter at the large end.
Figure above shows a variety of keys and pins.
Some of the most useful sizes of these are listed in Table 7–5. The diameter
at the small end is given as under
d = D − 0.0208L
where d diameter at small end, (inches)
D diameter at large end, (inches)
L length, (inches)
The square key, shown in Fig above , is also available in rectangular sizes.
Standard sizes of these, together with the range of applicable shaft diameters, are
listed in Table 7–6. The shaft diameter determines standard sizes for width, height,
and key depth.
The designer chooses an appropriate key length to carry the torsional load. Failure
of the key can be by direct shear, or by bearing stress.
The maximum length of a key is limited by the hub length of the
attached element, and should generally not exceed about 1.5 times
the shaft diameter to avoid excessive twisting with the angular
deflection of the shaft.
Multiple keys may be used as necessary to carry greater loads, typically
oriented at 90o From one another. Excessive safety factors should be
avoided in key design, since it is desirable in an overload situation for
the key to fail, rather than more costly components.
Stock key material is typically made from low carbon cold-rolled
steel, and is manufactured such that its dimensions never exceed
the nominal dimension.
A setscrew is sometimes used along with a key to hold the hub
axially, and to minimize rotational backlash when the shaft rotates in
both directions.
Dimensions for some standard Woodruff key sizes can be found in
Table 7–7, and Table 7–8 gives the shaft diameters for which the
different keyseat widths are suitable.
Types of keys
There are five types of keys :
1) Sunk keys
2) Saddle keys
3) Tangent keys
4) Round keys
5) Splines
1. Sunk Keys
The sunk keys are provided half in the keyway of the shaft and half
in the keyway of hub or boss of the pulley. The sunk keys are of
following types:
1) Rectangular sunk key
2) Square sunk key
3) Parallel sunk key
4) Gib-head key
5) Feather key
6) Woodruff key
Gib-Head key
The gib-head key, in Fig, is tapered so that, when firmly driven, it acts to prevent
relative axial motion. This also gives the advantage that the hub position can be
adjusted for the best axial location. The head makes removal possible without
access to the other end, but the projection may be hazardous.
Woodruff key
The Woodruff key, shown in Fig, is of general usefulness, especially
when a wheel is to be positioned against a shaft shoulder, since the
key slot need not be machined into the shoulder stress-
concentration region. The use of the Woodruff key also yields better
concentricity after assembly of the wheel and shaft.
This is especially important at high speeds, as, for example, with a
turbine wheel and shaft. Woodruff keys are particularly useful in
smaller shafts where their deeper penetration helps prevent key
rolling.
2. Saddle keys
The saddle keys are of the following two types :
i) Flat saddle key :
ii) Hollow saddle key :
i) Flat saddle key :
It is a taper key which fits in a keyway in the hub and is flat on the
shaft. It is likely to slip round the shaft under load. Therefore, it is used
for comparatively light loads.
ii) A hollow saddle key
It is a taper key which fits in a keyway in the hub and the bottom of
the key is shaped to fit the curved surface of the shaft. Since hollow
saddle keys hold on by friction, therefore, these are suitable for light
loads. It is usually used as a temporary fastening in fixing and setting
eccentrics, cams, etc.
3. Tangent key
The tangent keys are fitted in pair at right angles. Each key is to
withstand torsion in one direction only. These are used in large
heavy duty shafts.
4. Round keys
The round keys, as shown in Figure, are circular in section and fit into
holes drilled partly in the shaft and partly in the hub. They have the
advantage of manufacturing as their keyways may be drilled and
reamed after the mating parts have been assembled. Round keys
are usually considered to be most appropriate for low power drives.
5. Splines
Sometimes, keys are made integral with the shaft which fit in the
keyways broached in the hub. Such shafts are known as splined
shafts.
Thanks
