Flexible Shaft
Flexible Shaft (FS)
Best used for rotating mechanisms. This product does not uncoil from backlash when a machine is turned off, is pliable, yet efficiently transmits torque through the shaft by adhesively coiling incrementally thicker steel or piano wire rods around a central rod in alternating directions (see figure in Technical Specs).
Features and Attributes:
- Ideal for rotating mechanisms
- Pliable, yet efficiently transmits torque through the shaft
- Adhesively coiling incrementally thicker steel or piano wire rods around a central rod in alternating directions makes the product more pliable (see Figure 1 in Technical Specs)
- Does not uncoil from backlash when machine is turned off
- RoHS Compliant
Standard Product:
- Flexible Tube Material: Piano wire, Hard Steel wire, SUS304
- Bend Radius: Min. bending R≦20 x Outer Diameter (approx.)
- Rod Diameters (mm): 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, 0.2 (SUS Steel Wire); 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 2.6, 3.2 (Hard Steel Wire & SUS wire)
- Outer Diameter: Largest OD possible is 30mm
- All customizations outside of the standard listed above, will be custom and made to order. Please view Customizations for a full listing of available options.
Services Available Upon Request:
- Hollow flexible shafts are also available, please view the Hollow Flexible Shaft product page.
- Customized sizes are available. Please inquire for details.
Common Applications:
- Surgical drills
- Equipment that require flexible connections
Stock Level: Non-stock made to order item. General lead time is 4-6 weeks.
Figure 1.
|
Model (Part Number) |
OD mm |
Minimum |
Approx |
Max Length |
Stock |
|
FS-1.0 |
1.0 (0.039) |
– |
5.6 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-1.7 |
1.7 (0.067) |
– |
12 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-2 |
2.0 (0.079) |
– |
21 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-3 |
3.0 (0.118) |
50 |
44 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-4 |
4.0 (0.157) |
60 |
78 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-5 |
5.0 (0.197) |
60 |
123 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-6 |
6.0 (0.236) |
100 |
168 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-8 |
8.0 (0.315) |
130 |
329 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-10 |
10.0 (0.394) |
150 |
480 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-13 |
13.0 (0.512) |
180 |
830 |
10 |
contact us |
|
FS-15 |
15.0 (0.591) |
250 |
1080 |
10 |
contact us |
Attached are the general available options for customization. Please be advised that there may be restrictions based upon size, and application for usage. Please Contact Us for support on your customization requirements!
Please have the below specs available to inquire about custom flexible shafts.
- ID
- OD
- Material Properties
- Direction of rotation (left, right, or bi-directional)
- Quantity required
- Length per piece
Contact Us for Samples!
Available Flexible Metal Tube Materials:
| Material | Grade |
Application |
Features | Applicable Tube Type |
| Stainless Steel | – SUS304 (Standard) – SUS303 – SUS316 – SUS430 |
– General Industrial – Medicinal |
– Rigid – Does not Rust |
– Most tube type |
| Aluminum | – General Industrial – Medicinal |
– Does not Rust – Anti-Static – Lightweight but Less Sturdy – Excellent Thermal Conduction |
– Square Lock A – Interlock Type B – Screw Tube |
|
| Titanium | – General Industrial – Medicinal – Space Engineering |
– Rigid – Anti-Static – Lighter than Stainless Steel |
– Square Lock A | |
| Bronze Phosphate | – C5341 | – Noise Counter-Measure | – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) | – Most tube type |
| Copper | – Noise Counter-Measure | – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) | – Most tube type | |
| Brass | – Noise Counter-Measure | – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) | – Most tube type | |
| Steel | – Galvanized Steel Strip – SK Material (Hardest Steel) |
– General Industrial | – Affordable Price – Heavy – Rusty – Generally Needs to be Sheathed |
– Most tube type |
Instructions on How to Measure Bend Radius: PDF Here