In mechanical engineering, a key is a machine element used to connect a rotating machine element to a shaft. Through this connection the key prevents relative rotation between the two parts and allows torque to be transmitted through. For a key to function the shaft and rotating machine element must have a keyway, also known as a keyseat, which is a slot or pocket for the key to fit in. The whole system is called a keyed joint.[1][2] A keyed joint still allows relative axial movement between the parts.
Commonly keyed components include gears, pulleys, and couplings.
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There are three main types of keys: parallel, Woodruff, and tapered keys.
Parallel keys are the most widely used. They have a square or rectangular cross-section. Square keys are used for smaller shafts and rectangular faced keys are used for shaft diameters over 6.5 in (170 mm) or when the wall thickness of the mating hub is of concern. Set screws often accompany parallel keys to lock the mating parts into place so they do not move.[3] The keyway is a longitudinal slot in both the shaft and mating part.
Woodruff keys are semicircular shaped keys that, when installed, leave a protruding tab. The keyway in the shaft is a semi-circular pocket and the mating part has a longitudinal slot. They are used to improve the concentricity of the shaft and the mating part, which is critical for high speed operations.[3] The main advantage of the Woodruff key is that avoids the milling of a keyway near shaft shoulders, which already have stress concentrations.[4]
Common applications include machine tools, automotive applications, snowblowers and marine propellers.
This type of key was developed by W.N. Woodruff of Connecticut, who was presented in 1888 with the John Scott Medal by the Franklin Institute for the invention.[5]
The final type of key is the tapered key, which is tapered on one side, the side that engages the hub. The keyway in the hub is broached with a taper matching that of the tapered key. Some taper keys have a gib, or tab, for easier removal during disassembly. The purpose of the taper is to secure the key itself as well as to firmly engage the shaft to the hub without the use of a set screw. The problem with taper keys is that they can change the center of rotation of the shaft to be slightly off of the mating part.[3]
A "Scotch key" or "Dutch key" also provides a keyway not by milling but by drilling axially into the part and the shaft, so that a round key can be used. If the key is tapered, it is referred to as a "Dutch pin" and it is driven in and generally cut off flush with the end of the shaft.
Keyseating is the creation of the slots in the mating items. Keyseating can be done on a variety of different machines including a keyseater, a vertical slotting machine, a broacher, either a vertical or horizontal mill, or with a chisel and file.
Broaching primarily used to cut square cornered internal keyways. The specific broach, bushing and guide are used for each given keyway cross-section, which makes this process more expensive than most of the alternatives. However, it can produce the most accurate keyway out of all the processes. There are three main steps in broaching a keyway: First, the workpiece is set on the arbor press and the bushing is placed in the opening of the workpiece. Next, the broach is inserted and pushed through, cutting the keyway. Finally, shims are placed between the bushing and the broach to achieve the correct depth necessary for the key.[6]
Keyseaters, also known as keyseating machines and keyway cutters, are specialized machines designed to cut keyways. They are very similar to vertical shapers; the difference is that the cutting tool on a keyseater enters the workpiece from the bottom and cuts on the down-stroke, while the tool on a shaper enters the workpiece from the top and cuts downward. Another difference is a keyseater has a guiding system above the workpiece to minimize deflection, which results in a closer tolerance cut. The process starts by clamping the workpiece to the table with a fixture or vise. The workpiece is properly located and then the reciprocating arm is started. Some models have a stationary table so the cutter is fed horizontally into the workpiece, while others have a movable table that feeds the workpiece into a fixed cutter. These machines can cut other straight sided features other than keyways (see the picture). They can also produce blind slots, which are slots that do not extend through the whole workpiece.[7][8]
Parallel, tapered, and Woodruff keyways can be produced on a milling machine. End mills or slotting cutters are used for parallel and tapered keyways, while a Woodruff cutter is used for Woodruff keyways.[9]
For internal keyways that are not too long, the keyways can be milled if a radius is acceptable.
One of the earliest forms of keyseating was done by chiseling. The keyway is roughed out using a chisel and then filed to size; the key is tried frequently to avoid over filing. This technique is long, tedious, and rarely used anymore.[10]
Two parallel keys can be used either 90° or 180° apart from each other if the shaft connection needs to be more robust.[3]
Improperly machined keyways that had cutter deflection or drifting occur, may not be strong enough for the required application.[11]