03-25-2018, 04:32 AM
Andy,
the only case whee you can use a tube as mechanical transmission is this kind of an nose suspended drive:
![[Image: dsc03686hqjz.jpg]](https://abload.de/img/dsc03686hqjz.jpg)
Here in this case the shaft of the motor and the input shaft of the gearbox does not shift each other. They are both aligned and will stay so permanently. The tube will not be bended. In extreme case you can take here an piece of brass tube.
But in all other cases where the shafts are not 100% aligned or moving independent and altering it's position to each other, you have to use universals.
The ability of rubber or silicone hoses or tubes to transmit mechanical rotation power is based on the strain the hose can apply to the surface of the shafts.
In other words a classical case of press fit. To transmit torque, beside the inner strain of the hose, a certain amount of surface is necessary. Each longer the shaft, each bigger it's diameter, the more is the surface. And the more torque and power can be transmitted.
In this case shown on the photo the lenght of both shafts are rather short. Too short, not enough surface and aged rubber. This caused slipping of the shafts within the hose. The hardened rubber tube at least was replaced by universals.
the only case whee you can use a tube as mechanical transmission is this kind of an nose suspended drive:
![[Image: dsc03686hqjz.jpg]](http://abload.de/image.php?img=dsc03686hqjz.jpg)
Here in this case the shaft of the motor and the input shaft of the gearbox does not shift each other. They are both aligned and will stay so permanently. The tube will not be bended. In extreme case you can take here an piece of brass tube.
But in all other cases where the shafts are not 100% aligned or moving independent and altering it's position to each other, you have to use universals.
The ability of rubber or silicone hoses or tubes to transmit mechanical rotation power is based on the strain the hose can apply to the surface of the shafts.
In other words a classical case of press fit. To transmit torque, beside the inner strain of the hose, a certain amount of surface is necessary. Each longer the shaft, each bigger it's diameter, the more is the surface. And the more torque and power can be transmitted.
In this case shown on the photo the lenght of both shafts are rather short. Too short, not enough surface and aged rubber. This caused slipping of the shafts within the hose. The hardened rubber tube at least was replaced by universals.