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Introduction of Woodruff Key
A Woodruff key is a semi-circular machine shaft key that prevents a gear, hub, or other component from moving independently from a rotating axis or spindle. Woodruff key also known as also called as half-moon key.
A typical Woodruff key is shown below.
A rough key is inserted into a wedge sheet made with a disc wedge cutter or an arbor cutter. A gear or other component with a woodruff keyway is then pushed onto the shaft until the woodruff key contacts the keyway.
Working Principal of Woodruff Key
When installed, the long, flat side of the woodruff key shaft protrudes from the receiving shaft. When a mating hub, gear, or other component is pressed onto the shaft, the protruding portion of the key locks the components together.
Uses
Woodruff keys have many advantages over other types of keys. The main reason is that they can be used in many places where the shaft is highly stressed or where runout is important. B. When driving at high speed.
Rough keys are used in machine tools such as lathes and milling machines. It also helps attach the flywheel of small internal combustion engines to the crankshaft by snapping it into the tapered hole of the flywheel hub.
An added benefit is that it can be removed from the shaft with a hammer blow and the circular profile pushes the key out of the slot rather than pushing it axially or pulling it out of the slot.
Typical applications include machine tools, automotive applications, snow throwers and marine propellers.
Installation Procedure
Let’s know some term related to Woodruff key. Woodruff keysheets are crescent slots cut into the shaft. Push the curved part of the rough key into the wedge seat. In contrast, a keyway is a slot cut into the mating piece to accommodate the flat side of a woodruff key. However, the terms keyway and keyway are often used interchangeably, and many sources refer to the keyway as a woodruff keyway or crescent keyway.
To install a Woodruff key on a
Crescent key seat, first press the key into the semi-circular groove cut into the shank using a wheel key cutter. Next, align the upper flat part of the rough key so that it is parallel to the main shaft. During assembly, the rough key may slip out of the groove when the opponent is pushed. This can complicate disc spring installation.
Summing Up
Woodruff Keys are an integral part of modern vehicles in which manual transmission system is used.This type of key used to assist synchronize gear movements and are often the weakest point of a system under constant stress. Because of their relative importance, their operational and maintenance requirements must be understood.