10 Flexible Shaft Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for flexible shafts as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 flexible shaft manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked flexible shaft companies as of April, 2024: 1.Theo Förch GmbH, 2.Hagitec, 3.XEBEC TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD..
Table of Contents
What Is a Flexible Shaft?
A flexible shaft is a flexible shaft that transmits rotational motion between two distant points when the rotation shafts are not concentric (the longitudinal centers of the shafts are not the same).
The flexible shaft transmits rotation and torque from the drive shaft side to the driven shaft side while maintaining an appropriate bend between the shaft ends.
Therefore, the rotating shafts of the equipment do not need to be concentric with each other, allowing for a certain degree of freedom of arrangement. This eliminates the need for accurate centering between the rotating shafts of the equipment (aligning the center of the shafts with each other) and improves workability.
Uses of Flexible Shafts
Flexible shafts are used for power transmission and remote control.
- For Power Transmission
Flexible shafts are used when the driven shaft position is not concentric when transmitting power from an electric motor, etc. - For Remote Operation
Used for manual operation of rotating equipment or remote operation of valve opening/closing.
Familiar examples include flexible bits and flexible screwdrivers for extensions of electric drills and screwdrivers, handles for remote opening and closing of windows in high places, and speedometers for automobiles.
Structure of Flexible Shafts
A typical flexible shaft consists of the following three parts The inner core (inner shaft), the outer flexible tube (outer tube or housing), and a fitting at the shaft end.
1. Core
The core consists of one core wire in the center and multiple steel wires wrapped around the core wire, alternating the direction of wrapping to produce several layers. SW-C JIS G3521 hard steel wire or SUS304WP-B JIS G4314 stainless steel wire for springs can be used for the core material.
The characteristics differ depending on the number of wires per layer, wire diameter, number of wire layers, spacing between wires, and material.
2. Flexible Tube
Mild steel wire and hard steel wire are combined and wound together. The outer surface of the wound flat steel wire is sometimes covered with a resin such as synthetic rubber, polyethylene, or vinyl chloride.
The gap between the core and the flexible tube is filled with grease or other lubricant, and the inner surface of the flexible tube acts as a bearing for the core to maintain smooth rotation.
3. Shaft End
This is a metal fitting that connects the drive side and the driven side. It is attached to the core by crimping (caulking), welding, or brazing.
Principle of Flexible Shafts
1. Core
The core is the backbone of a flexible shaft that maintains its bent state and transmits rotation. The winding of the outermost layer of the core determines the direction of rotation of the flexible shaft itself. When the outermost layer is left-handed (leftward), it is for right-handed rotation (clockwise CW), and when the outermost layer is right-handed (rightward), it is for left-handed rotation (counterclockwise CCW).
2. Flexible Tube
Flexible tubing protects the core from dust and moisture. It externally supports the core as it rotates to keep it free from torsion.
3. Shaft End
This part is used to connect the flexible shaft to the rotating shaft. It should be selected according to the connection method and shape of the other side to be connected.
Types of Flexible Shafts
Flexible tube types include standard type, high-torque type, dual-use type, hardened type, strong type, and flexible type.
1. Standard Type
Steel wire is wound into a tubular shape and the outer surface is covered with vinyl or rubber. Highly durable and strong in torque transmission.
2. High-Torque Type
Flat steel wire is wound into a spring-like tubular liner and its outer surface is reinforced with braided steel wire, and the outermost layer is covered with vinyl or rubber. It is capable of withstanding high torque.
3. Dual-Use (Left-Right) Type
Used as an extension of a screwdriver and structurally resistant to reverse rotation.
4. Quenching Type
Heated in a continuous quenching furnace and manufactured through quenching oil. It has excellent straightness and is suitable for remote control.
5. Strong Type
Highly resistant to impact and useful for heavy-duty grinding.
6. Flexible Type
Flexible and easy to bend.
List of 10 Flexible Shaft Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Germany
- Japan
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Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument - SDP/SI
Flexible Shafts
Manufacturer Overview
SDP/SI was founded in 1950 and is situated in New Hyde Park, New York. SDPP/SI is a manufacturer of precision gears and high-quality mechanical components used in the aerospace, industrial manufacturing, medical technology, and robotics fields. The company manufactures parts in a variety of materials including alloy steel, stainless steel, bronze, brass, nylon, and titanium. The company also provides coating services such as heat treating, zinc plating, and painting. Additional custom options are available including manufacturing to customer drawings and specifications.
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S.S. White Technologies Inc.
Standard Flexible Shafts
Manufacturer Overview
S.S White Technology Inc., founded 1874, is a manufacturer of flexible shafts located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The company's product range includes standard flexible shafts, gear boxes, and flexible shafts with casings and fittings. It serves various industries, including medical, industrial, automotive, and aerospace industries. It has acquired multiple certifications, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and NADCAP accreditation for heat treating certifications. The company provides rotary power transmission solutions through research and quality-assured manufacturing.
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Elliott Mfg.
Flexible Shaft
Company Overview
Elliott Manufacturing is a globally popular company specializing in producing flexible shaft systems, and its headquarters are located in Binghamton, NY, and was established in 1932. These systems developed by Elliot Manufacturing are designed to effectively and securely deliver rotational power. The company specializes in producing extensive automated machinery in the agricultural, construction, and food industries. The company provides robust tools, including heavy-duty grinders, fruit macerators, hanger arms, connector heads, and various industrial parts.
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wolfcraft GmbH
Flexible Shaft
Manufacturer Overview
wolfcraft GmbH is an award-winning tools and power tool accessories manufacturer and supplier founded in 1949 in Kempenich, Germany. The company's product portfolio includes machine accessories, workshop equipment, transport devices, and hand and project tools. In addition, more than 550 of its developments are protected by patents. Its one handed clamp earned the Red Dot Design Award, and its VLC 800 vinyl and laminate cutter won a PLUS X Award. Its plastic-free packaged goods are used in many DIY fields, such as renovations, gardening, workshops, transport, removals, and more. The firm offers extended warranties ranging from 5 to 10 years.
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Hagitec
Flexible Shaft
Manufacturer Overview
Hagitec, established in 1974 in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of flexible stainless steel wire products that provide added flexibility for narrow and challenging environments. Its product range includes flexible metal conduits, armoured fiber optic cables, medical endoscope housings, and pressure hoses. The list further extends to various types of interlock conduits (Type A, B, and C), single-coil tubes, Gooseneck tubes, and more. The company holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, maintaining business collaborations with the USA, Germany, England, China, South Korea, and more. HAGITEX's solutions find utility in diverse sectors, offering flexibility in demanding scenarios.
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XEBEC TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD.
XEBEC Stone™ Flexible Shaft
Manufacturer Overview
XEBEC TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD, established in 1996 in Tokyo, Japan, has emerged as a manufacturer of industrial tools. Performing tasks such as edge deburring, polishing, and finishing, the company has leveraged cutting-edge technology to introduce advancements like the ceramic stone and XEBEC brush. The Xebec Back Burr Cutter and Path addresses the intricate task of precise edge removal. With a worldwide reach, XEBEC provides comprehensive solutions, merging engineering, material science, physics, and programming for CNC edge processing.
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Dremel
DREMEL® Flexible Shaft (225)
Manufacturer Overview
Dremel, founded in 1932, is known as the inventor of the high-speed rotary tool and manufacturer of power tools based in the United States. The company's products has been empowering creativity by building intuitive products and an ecosystem of multiple solutions, from home repairs and upgrades to design projects and arts and crafts. Driven by a love of DIY and the power of self-accomplishment, they are cultivating a movement of future hands-on generations by reimagining sustainable solutions for the passionate DIYers of today and tomorrow.
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CEF Industries LLC
Flexible Shafts
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Schmid & Wezel GmbH
Flexible Shafts
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Flexible Shaft Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Theo Förch GmbH |
20.9%
|
| 2 | Hagitec |
12.1%
|
| 3 | XEBEC TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. |
11.0%
|
| 4 | wolfcraft GmbH |
11.0%
|
| 5 | Elliott Mfg. |
10.4%
|
| 6 | Schmid & Wezel GmbH |
7.7%
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| 7 | Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument - SDP/SI |
7.7%
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| 8 | S.S. White Technologies Inc. |
7.1%
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| 9 | CEF Industries LLC |
6.0%
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| 10 | Dremel |
4.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the flexible shaft page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- Hagitec: 1974 (50 years ago)
- wolfcraft GmbH: 1949 (75 years ago)
- Elliott Mfg.: 1932 (92 years ago)
Company with a History
- Elliott Mfg.: 1932 (92 years ago)
- wolfcraft GmbH: 1949 (75 years ago)
- Hagitec: 1974 (50 years ago)
Flexible Shaft Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Flexible Shaft Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
3 | 42.9% |
Germany
|
2 | 28.6% |
Japan
|
2 | 28.6% |
