Shaft Collars
The shaft collar is a simple, yet important, machine component found in many power transmission applications - most notably motors and gearboxes. The collars are used as mechanical stops, locating components, and bearing faces. The simple design lends itself to easy installation. Shaft collars are available in different metals (steel, stainless steel and aluminum) and finishes (zinc plated and black oxide).

Set Screw Style
The first shaft collars to hit the industry were set screw collars. These collars utilize a solid ring and screws that protrude towards the center and dig into the shaft. Set screw collars are best used when the material of the shaft is softer than the set screw. Unfortunately, the set screw causes damage to the shaft – a flare-up of shaft material – which makes the collar harder to adjust or remove.

Clamping Style
A clamping style collar is the other option. They come in one and two-piece designs and solve the problem that set screw collars create. Instead of protruding into the shaft, the screws act to compress the collar and lock it into place around the shaft. The ease of use is maintained with this design and there is no shaft damage. Since the screws compress the collar, a uniform distribution of force is imposed on the shaft, leading to a holding power that is nearly twice that of set screw collars.