Locking elements are essentially an alternative to keyways and keys and offer the benefit of smaller shaft diameters for a given torque rating as well as a simplified shaft and coupling manufacturing process.

The principle of the design of a locking element is to apply a substantial radial force to two interfacing, machined surfaces and to use the resulting frictional resistance to transmit a tangential force and, in some cases, withstand an axial force along the shaft.

Falcon Engineers applies a much lighter locking element today than in years past and our spring-loaded devices work in soft metal applications the majority of the time. If our standard locking element does not install easily in your application, you might try using a larger drill in the tapping operation, or ask a Falcon Engineers for a quote on a special.