Woodruff Key

Description

What is Woofruff Key?

A Woodruff key is a semi-circular shaped, removable key that fits into a matching keyway cut into a shaft, leaving a protruding tab. The key’s profile is like that of a flat disc that has been split in half along its diameter, resulting in a crescent shape. Below are details about Woodruff keys:

• Purpose: Woodruff keys are used to prevent relative rotation between a gear, pulley, or other rotating elements and a shaft. The keyway in the part and the slot on the shaft provide the necessary grip.
• Design and Usage: The design of the Woodruff key allows for it to sit in a circular pocket which is cut into the shaft, known as a Woodruff keyseat. This makes the key tolerant to slight misalignments in the assembly.
• Material: They are typically made from high-tensile steel to withstand shear stress.
• Applications: Woodruff keys are common in automotive applications, small engines, and machines where components are frequently assembled and disassembled.
• Advantages: One of the advantages of Woodruff keys is their ability to accommodate torsional movement between parts, which can be useful in applications that involve rotational forces.
• Sizes: Like other keys, Woodruff keys come in a range of standard sizes fitting different shaft diameters.

Woodruff keys are a useful compromise between the strength of a square key and the ease of installation of a round key, combining good holding power with ease of assembly and adjustment.

1. Hex Head Plug

What is Hex Head Plug?

Hex head plugs are a type of fitting commonly used in plumbing and other piping systems. They serve the purpose of sealing off or blocking the flow in pipes.

Here’s what you should know about hex head plugs:

• Design: They have a hexagonal (six-sided) shaped head that allows for easy tightening or loosening with a wrench.
• Installation: The plugs are designed to be threaded into pipe fittings. They may have male or female threads depending on the system requirements.
• Material: They can be made from various materials, including metals like brass, carbon steel, stainless steel, as well as PVC and other plastics, depending on the application’s need for durability, corrosion resistance, and chemical compatibility.
• Application: Hex head plugs are utilized in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, water supply, chemical processing, and hydraulics. They are suitable for applications that require a strong seal and may need to be accessed or removed for maintenance.
• Versatility: Available in various sizes and thread specifications such as National Pipe Tapered (NPT), British Standard Pipe (BSP), among others, hex head plugs can fit many standard pipelines and equipment.
• Seal Quality: While the metal-to-metal seal may often suffice, some applications may require an additional sealing material like PTFE tape or pipe dope to ensure a leak-proof connection.

These plugs are useful components in a piping system when a section needs to be temporarily or permanently closed off, such as when a pipeline is being tested for leaks or during routine maintenance.