What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel ball torque limiters compared to friction torque limiters?

Steel Ball Torque Limiters and Friction Torque Limiters are two common types of protective devices in the mechanical industry today. Although both possess overload protection functionality, they exhibit distinct differences in terms of structure, precision, cost, and maintenance requirements. Next, Xinde will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of torque limiters to assist you in making a more informed choice when selecting between them.

Advantages of Steel Ball Torque Limiters

1. Compact Structure: Designed with a concise and compact structure, steel ball torque limiters are small in size and highly suitable for installation and use in limited spaces, providing greater flexibility in mechanical design.

2. High Precision: Thanks to precise manufacturing processes, steel ball torque limiters offer high torque precision, ensuring stability and repeatability in mechanical transmission and meeting the demands of high-precision applications.

3. Overload Protection: When torque exceeds the preset value, steel ball torque limiters respond swiftly to limit torque transmission, effectively preventing mechanical components from damage due to overload and prolonging equipment lifespan.

Disadvantages of Steel Ball Torque Limiters

1. Friction and Wear: Over prolonged use, friction and wear between the steel balls and contact surfaces are inevitable, necessitating regular maintenance and component replacement, which increases maintenance costs.

2. Susceptible to External Factors: Factors such as environmental humidity and temperature changes may lead to inaccurate torque limitation, requiring corresponding protective measures.

3. Higher Cost: Compared to friction torque limiters, steel ball torque limiters typically have higher manufacturing and maintenance costs, making them suitable for applications requiring high precision and stability.

Advantages of Friction Torque Limiters

1. Affordable Price: With an affordable price, friction torque limiters are the preferred choice for many users, reducing equipment costs.

2. Simple Structure: Their structure is more intuitive and easy to understand compared to steel ball torque limiters, facilitating easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance, which lowers maintenance difficulty and cost.

3. Rapid Overload Response: In the event of overload, they quickly limit torque transmission through slipping, effectively preventing equipment damage and ensuring production safety.

Disadvantages of Friction Torque Limiters

1. Lower Torque Precision: Compared to steel ball torque limiters, their torque control precision may be lacking, making them unsuitable for applications requiring extremely high precision.

2. Inability to Output Signals: They cannot automatically issue alarm signals after overload, relying instead on manual monitoring, which increases operational complexity.

3. Residual Torque: Residual torque that may exist after overload can affect the subsequent stable operation of equipment, necessitating regular inspections and adjustments.

4. Wear Issues: Prolonged slipping can lead to friction plate wear, requiring periodic replacement, which also increases maintenance workload.

Both steel ball and friction torque limiters have unique application scenarios and values. When selecting a torque limiter, in addition to considering the above advantages and disadvantages, it is essential to weigh them against the actual application scenario and requirements. This concludes our sharing for today. Thank you for reading!