Shaft end and intermediate supports

Frequently asked questions — Shaft Flanges

• How do I choose between SHF/SK shaft end supports and SH/MSH intermediate supports?

  SHF and SK supports are designed to close off the free end of a guide shaft. Conversely, SH and MSH intermediate shaft supports are open supports intended to take up the deflection of long shafts along their span. The choice depends on the structural function: end blocking for the former or intermediate support to limit deflection under load for the latter.
• Which material should I choose for my shaft end supports according to my environment?

  Anodised aluminium is recommended for moderate loads requiring weight reduction. Zinc-plated steel is required for high loads demanding maximum rigidity. For damp environments or the food-processing sector, AISI 304 or 316L stainless steel variants are the appropriate technical solution.
• Why use block-type supports such as SHB or SH-B rather than individual supports?

  The SHB and SH-B block variants incorporate several parallel bores enabling two shafts to be secured simultaneously on the same support. This configuration optimises alignment time and ensures greater relative precision between the two shafts compared with using separate individual supports.
• What is the spacing rule for intermediate shaft supports?

  SH and MSH supports must be installed in series at regular intervals. It is recommended to space them every 50 to 100 shaft diameters maximum in order to effectively limit deflection under load. These models are specifically compatible with LMUK open linear bushings.
• What are the key points to watch when fitting shaft end supports?

  The diameter of the support must match the shaft diameter exactly, with no clearance tolerance or excessive interference. In addition, the flatness of the frame is decisive, as it directly affects the final parallelism between the shafts and the bearing blocks of the guidance system.