Innovation

TB WOOD'S COUPLINGS PROVIDE BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE IN PUMP APPLICATIONS

Motor-driven pumps of various types are utilized in a wide range of key markets including oil and gas, water and wastewater, construction, and chemical processing.

Millions of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps move liquids, slurries and gases throughout processing plants around the world. Reliable elastomeric couplings are often needed to connect the pumps to their respective electric drive motors. In large facilities, keeping scores of pump drivetrains maintained and operational can be an expensive, time-consuming challenge.

In an increasingly competitive business environment, pump OEMs and plant managers are always looking for ways to reduce procurement and maintenance costs.

INNOVATIVE SURE-FLEX PLUS® COUPLINGS ARE THE KEY TO IMPROVED RELIABILITY AND SAVINGS

For over 50 years, TB Wood’s has led the coupling industry with the original TB Wood’s Sure-Flex design. TB Wood’s engineers continue the legacy of innovation with the introduction of the Sure-Flex Plus® coupling, making the industry-favorite Sure-Flex couplings even better. New elastomeric sleeves provide higher performance and enhanced durability due to significant improvements in proprietary EPDM and Neoprene materials.

EXTENSIVE TESTING VALIDATES IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND LONG LIFE

Recently conducted low-cycle fatigue testing demonstrated that proprietary Sure-Flex Plus® polymeric sleeves outlast common competitors by more than three times, while wear testing showed Sure-Flex Plus® sleeves demonstrated significantly less wear on the rubber teeth compared to common competitors during accelerated high misalignment and low-load testing.

New Sure-Flex Plus sleeves have a 30% higher torque rating, allowing many applications to use a smaller size coupling at an average 25% cost savings.

Development testing also confirmed that the new proprietary EPDM and Neoprene rubber sleeves enable a 30% increase in the torque rating when compared to the previous generation sleeves and similar offerings by competitors.

Sure-Flex Plus® couplings provide exceptional torsional flexibility, while the 4-way flexing action absorbs virtually all types of shock, vibration, misalignment and end float. The couplings feature 7° to 21° torsional wind-up (depending on sleeve material), torque ratings up to 8,20 kNm (72,480 in.lbs.), and fast and easy installation. Units require no lubrication and no maintenance.

SURE-FLEX PLUS SLEEVES PROVIDE COST SAVING ADVANTAGES IN EXISTING INSTALLATIONS

The significant cost saving benefits of a size-for-size replacement using a new Sure-Flex Plus® sleeve in an existing coupling installation include:

THE UPSIDE TO DOWNSIZING

Over 50% of common applications can specify a one-size-smaller coupling when using Sure-Flex Plus® sleeves, reducing initial purchase cost as well as sleeve replacement cost. Additional savings are also realized from reduced maintenance requirements.

SURE-FLEX PLUS COUPLINGS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON PUMP PACKAGER'S BUSINESS

A size 7 TB Woods Sure-Flex Plus coupling was able to be installed instead of a larger size 8 coupling on this small ANSI pump unit. By utilizing the smaller coupling, the overall package length was reduced allowing for a smaller baseplate footprint.

After specifying TB Wood’s Sure-Flex couplings for several years, GPM Pump and Seal, located in the greater Houston area, quickly standardized on the new TB Wood’s Sure-Flex Plus coupling line. GPM uses the couplings on many of its custom pump assembly packages, including all the nonclose-coupled pump units it builds.

The most significant impact of the new Sure-Flex Plus couplings was on GPM’s ANSI pump packages. Due to increased torque capacity, the ability to drop down a coupling size often gives GPM the edge it needs to compete on large projects. Dropping down to a smaller size coupling is also a benefit for GPM customers, especially maintenance technicians.