Key and Keyway Design Calculator
Calculate key dimensions, shear stress, compressive stress, and torque capacity. Step-by-step formulas included for square, rectangular, and Woodruff keys.
key and keyway design calculator
Enter the Key and Keyway Design calculator to calculate the dimensions, shear stress, compressive stress, and the torque capacity of a rectangular key, a square key, or a Woodruff key. Mechanical systems are safe in terms of shaft-hub connections carried out step-by-step.
key and keyway Tool Formula:
Shear Strength (Fs):
\[ F_{s} = T \times b \times L \]
(where τ = allowable shear stress, b = key width, L = key length)
Crushing Strength (Fc)
\[ F_{C} = \sigma_{c} \times h \times L \]
(where σc = allowable crushing stress, h = key height, L = key length)
The Key and Keyway Design Calculator assists engineers, students, and technicians in designing dependable and safe connections of shaft-hubs using keys. Keys transfer the torque between a shaft and a hub and ensure that the shaft does not rotate relative to the hub. Key and keyway design will allow shear and compressive stresses to be kept within material limits to prevent mechanical failure.
The user can type the shaft diameter, torque, material strength, key type (rectangular, square, or Woodruff), and hub width. The calculator calculates the key width, height, length, shear stress, compressive stress, and the torque capacity. Step-by-step solutions demonstrate formulas of shear stress and bearing stress, key length, and transmission of torque, and hence its design to achieve he best strength, safety, and manufacturability of the keys is easily achievable.
SI units are accepted: mm in dimensions, N /m in torque, MPa in stress. The tool can be applied to mechanical engineers, design engineers, students, and educators involved in designing motors, gear shafts, pulleys, and couplings, to design keys accurately to transmit torque and shaft-hubs.
⚡ Work & Installation Input to Output:
Input:
- Shaft diameter (d)
- Torque applied (T)
- Hub width (b)
- Key type (rectangular, square, Woodruff)
- Material shear strength (τ)
- Material compressive strength (σc)
- Units: mm, N·m, MPa
Processing:
- Compute key width (w) and height (h) based on shaft size and standard tables
- Compute key length (L) to transmit torque: L = T / (τ × h × L)
- Compute shear stress: τ = T / (w × L × radius factor)
- Compute compressive stress: σc = T / (h × L × face width)
- Validate torque capacity and safety
Output:
- Key width (w) and height (h)
- Key length (L)
- Shear stress (τ)
- Compressive (bearing) stress (σc)
- Torque transmitted
- Step-by-step formulas and calculations
Testing and Final Adjustments
Test common scenarios:
- Shaft d = 40 mm, torque T = 500 N·m, rectangular key → compute key width, height, length, shear, and compressive stress
- Woodruff key on same shaft → validate length and stress
- Edge cases: high torque, small shaft diameter, unusual hub width
- Units validation: mm for dimensions, N·m for torque, MPa for stress
- Step-by-step clarity for students and engineers
- Mobile/desktop UX: numeric keypad, labels, error messages
- Include standard key dimension tables (DIN/ISO) for reference
- SEO metadata: "Key and Keyway Design Calculator," "Shaft Key Calculator," "Torque Capacity," "Shear Stress," schema markup
Frequently Asked Questions - Key and Keyway Design Calculator:
What is a key and keyway?
A key is a mechanical element that connects a shaft and hub, transmitting torque and preventing relative rotation.
How do I calculate key shear stress?
Shear stress τ = T / (w × L × radius factor), where T is torque, w is key width, L is key length.
How do I calculate compressive (bearing) stress?
Compressive stress σc = T / (h × L × face width), where h is key height and L is key length.
How do I determine key dimensions?
Key width, height, and length are based on shaft diameter, torque, and standard dimension tables.
Can this calculator handle Woodruff keys?
Yes, it computes dimensions and stresses for rectangular, square, and Woodruff keys.
Which units are supported?
Dimensions in mm, torque in N·m, stresses in MPa.
Who should use this calculator?
Mechanical engineers, design engineers, students, and educators designing shaft-hub assemblies.
Why is key design important?
Proper key design prevents failure, ensures torque transmission, and maintains mechanical safety.
Can it calculate torque capacity?
Yes, the calculator computes maximum torque that the key can safely transmit.
Does it show step-by-step calculations?
Yes, all formulas and intermediate steps are displayed for clarity and verification.
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