WESTCAR ROTOGEAR Gear Couplings
Crowned-tooth RE series gear couplings from WESTCAR, Italy - configurations, torque ratings, selection and replacement engineering.
WESTCAR ROTOGEAR Gear Couplings
Italian-engineered crowned-tooth gear couplings | RE Series | technical selection and RFQ support.
WESTCAR ROTOGEAR is a family of lubricated industrial gear couplings from WESTCAR S.r.l., Milano, Italy, for transmitting torque between rotating shafts in medium- and heavy-duty industrial drives. The RE design combines crowned external hub teeth with straight internal sleeve teeth to accommodate angular, radial and combined misalignment and limited axial movement due to thermal expansion, while maintaining efficient torque transmission.
Product family: Gear Couplings | Series: RE | Brand: WESTCAR (Italy).
What is a WESTCAR ROTOGEAR gear coupling?
A double-engagement gear coupling: each half has a hub with crowned external teeth meshing with a one-piece sleeve with straight internal teeth; the two half-sleeves are bolted together with calibrated special-steel screws. The manufacturer describes the crowned teeth as giving a larger tooth contact area, more teeth in mesh, better load distribution and minimal backlash. The RE design is specified for 1° of static angular misalignment per gear mesh; permissible speed and torque must still be verified for the actual misalignment and duty.
Technical Features and Construction
Calibrated special-steel screws
Flange connection of the two half-sleeves.
One-piece sleeve with internal straight teeth
Robust torque path.
Crowned toothing
Accommodates angular misalignment and promotes distributed tooth contact.
Hub teeth
External crowned teeth on each hub.
O-rings
Grease retention.
Machined bore and keyway
Available on request.
Two lubrication plugs per half-sleeve
Grease servicing.
Key characteristics
- High torque transmission
- Misalignment compensation: angular, radial and combined
- Low power loss
- Multiple configurations: standard, spacer, vertical, sliding and more
- ATEX execution upon request
ROTOGEAR RE Configurations
Multiple designs address shaft arrangement, access, axial movement and installation geometry. Select the variant from the dimensional drawings and service conditions.
| Series | Manufacturer designation / intended arrangement |
|---|---|
| RE | Standard hubs; reverse-hub options RE...R and RE...RR |
| RE UU | Long hubs; mixed long / standard configurations available |
| RE FOO / RE FO | Rigid / half-rigid coupling |
| RE V / RE FT | Vertical / sliding coupling |
| RE D / RE B | Spacer / floating-shaft coupling |
| RE DH.MN / RE DH.PN | Disengaging coupling |
| RE M | Sleeve coupling |
Standard RE Series: Catalogue Performance Envelope
The standard RE execution lists sizes 40 to 450, nominal torque from 1.7 to 835 kNm, maximum listed torque up to 1,670 kNm, size-dependent maximum speeds up to 5,990 rpm and maximum bores up to 475 mm. These extremes belong to different sizes and must not be combined as one operating point.
| RE size | Nominal torque (kNm) | Max speed (rpm) | Max bore (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 1.7 | 5,990 | 50 |
| 100 | 13.5 | 3,850 | 110 |
| 160 | 43 | 2,900 | 170 |
| 250 | 195 | 1,800 | 280 |
| 450 | 835 | 700 | 475 |
Selected rows from the manufacturer's standard execution table (catalogue p. 9). Confirm the current catalogue revision and the chosen arrangement before procurement.
Engineering Selection: Torque, Misalignment and Speed
WESTCAR recommends checking preliminary size, bore compatibility, application service factor, angular-misalignment correction and permissible speed. Catalogue selection relationship:
T (kNm) = [9550 × P (kW) × SF × KD] / [n (rpm) × 1000]
SF is the service factor, KD the angular-misalignment factor and n the speed. Select a coupling whose nominal torque is at least the design torque, then check the bore and the corrected maximum speed with the catalogue KV factor.
| Load category | Typical applications | Indicative SF (electric motor / gas or steam turbine) |
|---|---|---|
| Constant torque | Centrifugal pumps, light conveyors | 1.00 |
| Slightly fluctuating | Screw pumps, machine tools | 1.25 |
| Fluctuating | Reciprocating pumps, cranes | 1.50 |
| Highly fluctuating | Reciprocating compressors, rotary presses | 2.00 |
Manufacturer guide values (catalogue pp. 6-7), not universal ratings. Starting / transient torque, critical dynamics and site conditions need separate verification. For hazardous areas, request confirmation of the applicable ATEX execution.
Industrial Applications
| Industry | Typical drives |
|---|---|
| Cement | Mills, crushers, conveyors |
| Mining | Crushers, conveying systems |
| Steel | Rolling equipment and auxiliary drives |
| Oil & gas / petrochemical | Process drives |
| Power generation | Turbine-driven and auxiliary systems |
Illustrative engineering use cases; suitability depends on torque spectrum, speed, shaft dimensions, alignment, lubrication and environment. For spacer and floating-shaft arrangements, check shaft separation, intermediate-shaft dynamics and the speed limit for the selected length; vertical, sliding and disengaging executions need their own catalogue drawings and checks.
Cross-Reference and Replacement Engineering
The WESTCAR catalogue gives a preliminary size comparison with MAINA, FACHI, ESCO, FALK, KOP-FLEX, AJAX, LOVEJOY and AMERIDRIVES gear couplings (catalogue p. 5). Such cross-references do not establish drop-in interchangeability: verify nominal and transient torque, hub / bore / keyway, flange and overall dimensions, shaft gap, speed, misalignment, lubrication and mounting before a replacement is recommended. Send the existing coupling data and MECHATRIC will check the equivalent size.
Information Required for an RFQ
Coupling model or nameplate; transmitted power; operating speed; driver and driven shaft diameters and keyways; shaft separation; duty / load condition; mounting orientation; quantity; drawings or photographs.
Request a Quote
Request a technical review or quotation for WESTCAR ROTOGEAR gear couplings through MECHATRIC.
Source: WESTCAR S.r.l., ROTOGEAR gear coupling catalogue (Italian / English, technical sheets dated 2021). Figures are reproduced for product identification and technical context. Always confirm the latest manufacturer documentation, certification and availability for the specific order. Brand references do not imply an authorized dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much misalignment does a ROTOGEAR RE coupling accept?
The RE design is specified for 1° static angular misalignment per gear mesh; the permissible speed and torque must be corrected for the actual misalignment (KD and KV factors).
Does a gear coupling need lubrication?
Yes. ROTOGEAR couplings are grease lubricated; O-rings retain the grease and each half-sleeve has two lubrication plugs for servicing.
Can ROTOGEAR replace a Falk or Kop-Flex gear coupling?
Often a comparable size exists, but a catalogue cross-reference is only a starting point. Torque, dimensions, bores, shaft gap and flange details must be checked before replacement.
Is an ATEX version available?
An ATEX execution is offered upon request; confirm the applicable execution and certification with the manufacturer for each order.