Описание
Universal Cardan Drive Shaft
SWC225CH for Flying Shear Machine
Precision-engineered SWC225CH cardan drive shaft delivering 40 KN·m nominal torque, high-speed angular misalignment compensation, and industry-proven reliability for flying shear operations in British steel mills, tube manufacturers, and metal processing facilities.
✉ Get a Quote — Contact Our UK Sales Team
Reply within 24 hours • Custom specifications welcome • UK B2B enquiries prioritised
What Is the SWC225CH Cardan Drive Shaft?

The Universal Cardan Drive Shaft SWC225CH is a heavy-duty universal joint shaft purpose-built for flying shear machines operating in demanding industrial environments. Constructed from high-grade alloy steel, the shaft connects the prime mover — typically a high-power electric motor — to the cutting mechanism of the shear unit, transmitting rotational force smoothly even when the driving and driven ends are not perfectly aligned. The cross-shaped centre section, with its needle and roller bearing arrangement, is what gives this cardan drive shaft its characteristic ability to cope with angular offsets of up to 15 degrees without sacrificing torque delivery or introducing harmful vibration into the driveline.
Flying shear machines are among the most demanding power transmission environments in the steel and metalworking sectors. The cutting blades must reach synchronised speed with the moving strip before executing a precise, repeatable cut — then reverse or reset almost instantly. The SWC225CH cardan shaft handles these cyclical shock loads with a nominal torque rating of 40 KN·m, and its fatigue torque rating of 20 KN·m ensures long-term resilience under alternating loads typical of continuous coil processing lines in British steelworks and tube mills.
Whether your facility processes structural steel sections in Rotherham, aluminium strip in the West Midlands, or stainless pipe in Sheffield, the SWC225CH delivers the kind of consistent, low-maintenance performance that keeps production lines running to schedule. Its compact yoke design and sliding spline section allow for length adjustment during installation, accommodating the real-world tolerances of large-scale industrial machinery without requiring bespoke machining of mounting points.
Технические характеристики
Engineering dimensions and performance data for the SWC225CH series
| No. | Gyration Diameter D (mm) |
Nominal Torque Tn (KN·m) |
Axes Fold Angle β (°) |
Weary Torque Tf (KN·m) |
Flex Qty Ls (mm) |
Size (mm) | Rotating Inertia (kg·m²) | Вес (кг) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lmin | D1 (js11) | D2 (H7) | D3 | Lm | n-d | k | t | b (h9) | g | Lmin | Increase 100mm | Lmin | Increase 100mm | ||||||
| SWC225CH1 | 225 | 40 | ≤15 | 20 | 220 | 1020 | 196 | 135 | 152 | 120 | 8-17 | 20 | 5 | 32 | 9 | 0.561 | 0.0234 | 132 | 4.9 |
| SWC225CH2 | 700 | 1500 | 0.674 | 182 | |||||||||||||||
* Tf — fatigue torque permissible under alternating load conditions.
* Lmin — minimum compressed length after stroke adjustment.
* L — installation length determined by customer requirements.
Performance Advantages of the SWC225CH
Why UK industrial buyers specify this cardan drive shaft
High Torque Capacity
With a nominal torque of 40 KN·m, the SWC225CH cardan shaft handles the full power demands of heavy-duty flying shear drives, including peak loads during blade acceleration and deceleration cycles that are common in British steel coil processing lines.
Angular Misalignment Tolerance
The universal joint design tolerates angles up to 15° between the input and output shafts, which is essential in flying shear machines where the cutting head may move in relation to the fixed drive unit. This flexibility eliminates the need for exact shaft alignment and reduces installation costs on-site.
High-Speed Stability
The SWC225CH cardan drive shaft is balanced and machined to tight tolerances, making it capable of sustained high-speed operation without resonance issues. This precision is what allows flying shear machines to maintain accurate cut lengths — often critical in tube and pipe manufacturing where dimensional tolerances are strict.
Low Vibration & Noise
Precision needle bearings in the cross joint reduce vibration transmission to the machine frame, contributing to quieter operation and longer service life for surrounding components. In a 24/7 production environment typical of UK metal processing plants, this translates directly to reduced maintenance intervals and lower total cost of ownership.
Simple Maintenance
Grease nipples on the cross journal allow for straightforward periodic lubrication without removing the shaft from the machine. The sliding spline section also features a grease point. This design philosophy reflects the realities of shift-based maintenance in British manufacturing, where scheduled downtime must be kept to an absolute minimum.
Built-In Safety Guards
Optional protective casings are available to shield the rotating cardan shaft from accidental contact. For UK operations governed by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), ensuring that all power transmission components have appropriate guarding is a legal requirement, and our SWC225CH configurations are designed with this compliance in mind.
Where the SWC225CH Cardan Drive Shaft Is Used
Core application sectors across UK and global industry

The cardan drive shaft SWC225CH serves a wide range of industrial segments where flying shear machines or similar high-cycle cutting equipment are deployed. In the UK steel sector — particularly around Sheffield, Scunthorpe, and the Midlands — this cardan shaft is found in slitting lines, cross-cut shears, and cold-rolling mill transfer drives. Its strength in steel applications comes from the shaft’s fatigue-rated torque, which holds up against the thousands of cut cycles per shift that these machines are expected to complete.
▶ Steel & Rolling Mills
Cutting coils, billets, and flat bars to length on continuous rolling and slitting lines. The SWC225CH cardan shaft handles the shock loads of blade engagement reliably.
▶ Tube & Pipe Manufacture
Used in flying shear cutoff systems on ERW tube mills to achieve consistent cut lengths across carbon steel and stainless pipe production runs.
▶ Paper & Packaging
Driving web-cutting heads on paper converting lines and corrugated board sheeting machines where speed synchronisation between drive and cutter is critical.
▶ Aluminium & Non-Ferrous
Coil processing lines for aluminium strip, copper foil, and brass sheet rely on the SWC225CH for clean, precise cuts without material deformation at the shear edge.
▶ Automotive Pressings
Blanking and transfer lines in automotive stamping facilities use the cardan shaft to synchronise feed and cut operations for high-volume sheet metal part production.
▶ Structural Engineering Supply
Section steel and structural profile cutting lines for the UK construction industry, where steel angle, channel, and beam lengths must be consistent to tight tolerances for onsite assembly.
Customer Success in the UK & Europe
Real projects, real results — verified partner feedback

A leading coil processing facility in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, was experiencing recurring failures on the flying shear cardan shaft of their main slitting line. The original shaft could not sustain the cyclic shock loads generated during high-speed blade engagement, leading to cross journal wear and unplanned downtime roughly every four to five months. After specifying two SWC225CH cardan drive shafts — one as primary and one as a retained spare — the maintenance team reported a complete elimination of in-service joint failures over the following 14 months. The plant’s maintenance manager noted that the shaft’s needle bearing assemblies showed minimal wear on the first scheduled inspection at 6,000 hours of operation, confirming the suitability of the SWC225CH for continuous shift running.
“We had been through two other supplier shafts in less than eighteen months. The SWC225CH has been running without issue since installation. The build quality is noticeably better — the yoke machining is precise, the grease nipples are accessible, and the shaft came with full dimensional documentation which our engineering team appreciated.” — Plant Maintenance Manager, Sheffield Coil Processing Ltd.
“We ordered three SWC225CH shafts for our ERW tube mill in the West Midlands. Lead time was tight but the team delivered on schedule. The shafts have been in service for over a year with zero issues. Highly recommended for UK tube manufacturers looking for a reliable cardan shaft supplier.”
“Our flying shear on the aluminium coil line had been causing vibration problems with the previous cardan shaft. After switching to the SWC225CH the vibration dropped significantly. The technical documentation provided was comprehensive, which made our engineering team’s life much easier during installation.”
“We used pto-drive-shafts.com to source a replacement SWC225CH on a fast turnaround. The price was competitive and the shaft was correctly dimensioned to our drawings first time. No back-and-forth, no surprises. We’ve since added them to our approved supplier list for drive shaft components.”
Related Cardan Drive Shaft Products
Other SWC series industrial cardan shafts available for your application
Industrial Cardan Drive Shaft SWC200BH for Slitting Machine
A compact-diameter universal joint shaft optimised for slitting machine drives, offering precise torque transmission where the SWC225 form factor is too large for the available installation space.
Industrial Cardan Drive Shaft SWC150BH for Slitting Machine
Lighter and more compact than the SWC225CH, the SWC150BH series cardan shaft suits slitting machines handling thinner gauge materials and narrower strip widths, including foil and light-gauge coil lines.
Manufacturing Capability & Custom Specifications
Precision production for industrial cardan drive shafts
Our manufacturing base operates advanced CNC turning centres, vertical machining centres, and dedicated universal joint grinding lines — all under one roof. Every SWC225CH cardan drive shaft passes through multi-stage dimensional inspection using coordinate measuring equipment before being balanced dynamically to ISO 1940 Grade G6.3 or better. This production discipline is what separates our shafts from lower-grade alternatives in the market and is why UK maintenance engineers consistently report longer bearing life and more consistent running from our products.
Beyond standard catalogue sizes, we offer a comprehensive custom manufacturing service for SWC cardan shafts. If your flying shear machine has non-standard flange bolt circles, unusual shaft-to-shaft distances, or requires a specific intermediate shaft diameter, our engineering team can produce drawings and prototypes directly from your supplied dimensions or CAD files. MOQ for custom cardan shaft specifications is just one piece, making it practical for maintenance and engineering teams to obtain exact-fit replacements rather than forcing the machine to accommodate a generic shaft. Custom delivery lead times typically range from 20 to 35 working days depending on material sourcing and order volume.
| Capability | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material Standard | High-grade alloy steel (42CrMo4 / equivalent); heat-treated yokes and crosses |
| Custom Dimensions | OEM / ODM accepted — PDF, DXF, STEP file formats; min. 1 pc MOQ |
| Quality Inspection | 100% self-inspection before packing; dimensional report available on request |
| Балансовая степень | Dynamic balancing to ISO 1940 G6.3 as standard; G2.5 available on request |
| Обработка поверхности | Phosphating + grease coat standard; painted finish available for export packaging |
| Warranty Period | 12 months under normal operating conditions |
| Standard Lead Time | 20–30 working days (non-stock items); stock items ship sooner — enquire for availability |
| Payment Terms | T/T bank transfer; other terms considered for repeat orders |
How to Select the Right Cardan Drive Shaft for Your Flying Shear
Six factors engineers in the UK should verify before ordering
Confirm Peak Torque Demand
Calculate the maximum torque at the shear drive shaft, including acceleration torque. The SWC225CH nominal torque of 40 KN·m must exceed this figure with an appropriate service factor applied for shock loading.
Measure Shaft-to-Shaft Distance
Measure the installed distance between the motor output flange and the shear gearbox input. SWC225CH1 suits shorter centre distances (Lmin 1020mm) while SWC225CH2 covers longer spans (Lmin 1500mm).
Check Angular Misalignment
The SWC225CH handles up to 15°. If your application exceeds this angle, a double-cardan configuration or different series may be required. Share your machine layout drawings with us and our engineers will advise.
Verify Flange Dimensions
The SWC225CH uses an 8-hole bolt pattern on a 196mm PCD flange. Confirm this matches your motor and gearbox flanges before ordering. Custom flanges are available for non-standard configurations.
Assess Operating Speed
Define the maximum RPM the cardan shaft will be required to sustain. Providing shaft speed data alongside torque figures allows our team to recommend the correct balancing grade and check for critical speed clearance on your specified shaft length.
Safety & Guarding Requirements
Under PUWER, UK operators are required to guard all rotating transmission components. Enquire about optional protective covers when ordering your SWC225CH, particularly if the shaft is accessible from the operating aisle of the machine.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
Common questions from UK engineering buyers and maintenance managers
Ready to Source the SWC225CH Cardan Drive Shaft?
Send your drawings or technical requirements and receive a detailed quote within 24 hours. UK industrial enquiries welcome.

отредактировано gzl






