National University of Sciences & Technology
School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanisms & Mechanical Vibrations Lab
Lab Report # 4
Name Jahanzaib Ashraf
CMS ID 413778
Table of Contents
Objectives......................................................................................................................................... 2
Explanation ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Procedure ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Observation & Readings .................................................................................................................. 3
For 5mm Offset ............................................................................................................................ 3
For 10mm Offset .......................................................................................................................... 4
Graphs .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Results .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Discussion ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 7
1
Oldham’s Coupling
Objectives
1. To learn about Oldham’s coupling.
2. Observing the change in output angle by varying the input angle.
3. Observing the change in output angular velocity by varying the input angle.
Explanation
The Oldham coupling is a type of flexible mechanical coupling designed to transmit torque between
two parallel shafts that are slightly misaligned. Its fundamental principle lies in accommodating
lateral (parallel) misalignment without introducing significant angular or axial errors in motion
transmission. The coupling achieves this flexibility through its distinctive three-part structure and
sliding motion mechanism.
Components:
Structurally, the Oldham coupling consists of two hubs and a central disc, often called the spool or
intermediate member. Each hub is keyed or fixed to its respective shaft, while the central disc has
two tongues or projections on opposite faces, oriented at 90° to each other. These tongues engage
with corresponding slots in the hubs, forming sliding interfaces that allow the disc to move back and
forth during rotation.
Working:
When the input shaft rotates, the first hub drives the central disc through its tongue-and-slot
connection. The disc then transmits the torque to the second hub via its perpendicular tongue,
transferring motion to the output shaft. As the shafts rotate, the central disc oscillates laterally to
compensate for the offset, ensuring that the output shaft maintains uniform angular velocity with
minimal vibration or stress.
Theoretically, the Oldham coupling provides nearly constant velocity transmission, with only small
cyclic variations caused by the reciprocating motion of the central disc. It is especially suitable for
applications requiring precise torque transfer and where shaft alignment cannot be perfectly
maintained. This makes it widely used in servo drives, instrumentation systems, and other precision
machinery where smooth power transmission under slight misalignment is critical.
spool
Input shaft
Output shaft
tongue
Figure 1: diagram of Oldham’s coupling
2
Procedure
• First of all, the lateral offset was set to 5 mm.
• Then, the input angle was adjusted to 0 degrees.
• After that, the input angle was increased in increments of 15 degrees.
• The corresponding output angle was noted for each increment.
• This procedure continued until the input angle reached 360 degrees.
• Then, the lateral offset was changed to 10 mm.
• Finally, the same steps were repeated for the 10 mm offset condition.
Observation & Readings
For 5mm Offset
Table 1: readings for 5mm offset
S# Input Output Tan (ΔΘ) Tan(Δφ) Ratio = r ω
Angle Angle (Rad/sec)
1 0 -5 - - - -
2 15 11 0.27 0.29 0.93 0.005
3 30 26 0.27 0.27 1 0.0047
4 45 40 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
5 60 55 0.27 0.27 1 0.0047
6 75 71 0.27 0.28 0.96 0.0049
7 90 88 0.27 0.30 0.9 0.0053
8 105 102 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
9 120 119 0.27 0.30 0.9 0.0053
10 135 133 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
11 150 149 0.27 0.28 0.97 0.0049
12 165 164 0.27 0.27 1 0.0047
13 180 179 0.27 0.27 1 0.0047
14 195 195 0.27 0.28 0.97 0.0049
15 210 209 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
16 225 223 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
17 240 237 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
18 255 252 0.27 0.27 1 0.0047
19 270 267 0.27 0.27 1 0.0047
3
20 285 281 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
21 300 297 0.27 0.28 0.96 0.0049
22 315 310 0.27 0.23 1.17 0.00401
23 330 326 0.27 0.28 0.97 0.0049
24 345 340 0.27 0.25 1.08 0.00436
25 360 356 0.27 0.28 0.97 0.0049
For 10mm Offset
Table 2: readings for 10mm offset
S# Input Output Tan (ΔΘ) Tan (Δφ) Ratio = r ω
Angle Angle (Rad/sec)
1 0 -7 - - - -
2 15 10 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
3 30 27 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
4 45 44 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
5 60 57 0.27 0.231 1.17 0.00403
6 75 73 0.27 0.287 0.94 0.00501
7 90 88 0.27 0.268 1.01 0.00467
8 105 103 0.27 0.268 1.01 0.00467
9 120 119 0.27 0.287 0.94 0.00501
10 135 133 0.27 0.249 1.08 0.00436
11 150 150 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
12 165 167 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
13 180 182 0.27 0.268 1.01 0.00467
14 195 194 0.27 0.213 1.27 0.00372
15 210 209 0.27 0.268 1.01 0.00467
16 225 223 0.27 0.249 1.08 0.00436
17 240 237 0.27 0.249 1.08 0.00436
18 255 253 0.27 0.287 0.94 0.00501
19 270 266 0.27 0.231 1.17 0.00493
20 285 283 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
21 300 297 0.27 0.249 1.08 0.00436
22 315 314 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00543
23 330 325 0.27 0.194 1.39 0.00339
24 345 341 0.27 0.284 0.94 0.00501
25 360 358 0.27 0.306 0.88 0.00534
4
Graphs
400
Input vs output angle for 5mm offset
350
300
250
Output angle
200
150
100
50
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
-50
Input angle
Figure 2: Graph for output angle vs input angle for 5mm offset
The graphical results illustrate the performance behavior of the Oldham coupling at different lateral
offsets. For the 5 mm offset, the Input vs. Output Angle graph shows a nearly linear relationship,
indicating that the output angle closely follows the input angle. This demonstrates uniform angular
motion with minimal fluctuation, confirming the coupling’s ability to maintain constant velocity
transmission at small misalignments.
1.6 Input angle vs Ratio for 5mm offset
1.4
1.2
1
Ratio
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Input angle
Figure 3: Graph of ratio vs input angle for 5mm offset
5
The Input Angle vs. Ratio for 5 mm Offset graph reveals that most ratio values remain close to
unity, with only minor deviations between 0.8 and 1.2. These small fluctuations indicate that the
velocity variation is minimal, and the coupling provides smooth torque transmission with efficient
power transfer.
Input angle vs output angle for 10 mm offset
400
350
300
250
Output angle
200
150
100
50
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
-50
Input angle
Figure 4:graph for output angle vs input angle for 10mm offset
Input angle vs Ratio for 10 mm offset
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
Ratio
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Input angle
Figure 5: graph of ratio vs input angle for 10mm offset
6
When the offset was increased to 10 mm, the Input Angle vs. Ratio graph exhibited slightly higher
variations in ratio values. The amplitude of fluctuation increased marginally, showing that greater
misalignment leads to minor cyclic velocity changes.
Results
The Oldham coupling efficiently transmitted torque between misaligned shafts, maintaining nearly
constant velocity at a 5 mm offset with minimal variation. At a 10 mm offset, slight fluctuations in
velocity ratio were observed due to increased disc motion, yet smooth and continuous torque
transmission was sustained throughout.
Discussion
The experimental findings for both 5 mm and 10 mm offsets effectively highlight the influence of
lateral misalignment on the operational characteristics of the Oldham coupling. The mechanism
efficiently transmitted torque and rotational motion between two parallel shafts while compensating
for misalignment through the sliding motion of the intermediate disc. Under the 5 mm offset
condition, the output angular displacement closely matched the input, reflecting stable kinematic
performance with minimal angular variation. This indicates that the coupling maintained a nearly
uniform angular velocity, ensuring smooth and consistent power transmission.
When the offset was increased to 10 mm, the system exhibited more pronounced deviations between
input and output angular positions. The ratio values demonstrated greater fluctuation, implying
increased non-uniformity in angular velocity due to enhanced lateral displacement of the central disc.
This behavior can be attributed to the larger oscillatory motion required by the intermediate member
to accommodate the misalignment. The increased lateral movement introduces minor cyclic velocity
variations, slightly affecting smoothness but not compromising the overall functionality of the
coupling.
The observed variations confirm the theoretical principle that greater offset amplifies the oscillatory
motion within the coupling, resulting in small periodic changes in angular velocity. However, the
torque transmission remained continuous and efficient throughout the experiments. The coupling
effectively compensated for the imposed parallel offsets without significant energy loss, validating
its robustness for moderate shaft misalignments. These experimental outcomes are consistent with
established analytical models of Oldham couplings, reinforcing their capability to sustain reliable
torque transfer under controlled misalignment conditions.
Conclusion
❖ The Oldham coupling effectively compensates for parallel shaft misalignment through the sliding
motion of its central disc, ensuring proper alignment and torque transfer between shafts.
❖ As the offset increases, minor fluctuations in angular velocity are observed; however, smooth and
continuous torque transmission is still maintained.
❖ The coupling performs optimally at smaller offsets, confirming its reliability and efficiency for
power transmission between slightly misaligned shafts.