The electric motor rotating shaft is horizontal, the drive pinion spin axis can be horizontal. The trouble is these axes aren’t aligned, they happen to be parallel to one another. The Cardan Shaft redirects the drive shaft to the travel pinion without changing the way of rotation.
Widely used in industry, cardan shafts have proven practical in applications where space is limited-as well because in 
situations where an factor in the machine train (e.g. paper roll) may need to always be actuated (dynamically positioned) to another position when the equipment are not operating. The universal joint permits limited motion without uncoupling. To make sure ample lubrication circulation, which avoids the universal joints from seizing, cardan shafts are usually installed with an position from 4 to 6 6 degrees at the universal joints. Knowledge, though, has displayed that the position between the shafts of the driver and driven unit ought to be kept to the very least, preferably less than 4.36 mrads (0.25 degrees). Preferably, the angles between the driver and motivated shafts and the cardan shaft, displayed as β1 and β2 in Fig. 1, would be equal. Geometrically, this would equate to zero angularity existing between your driver and driven product: Basically, the shafts of the driver and powered machine will be parallel to one another.
Usually it involves a tubular shaft, two sets of Universal Joints and glove system – ferrule stepper, among others. It is normally a component of the transmission program, its function can be to redirect the engine turning movements, after moving through the gearbox and the drive to the wheel, going through the ‘planetary and satellite’ system etc.
Our specialised staff will gladly help you find the proper universal joint for the application or will develop a suitable solution according to your specific requirements.
Cardan shaft, also known as cardinal shaft, is a component of torque transmission.