Key Design tutorial

November 23 Ahmed H. Mokhtar 1

3. A 15 kW, 960 rpm motor has a mild
steel shaft of 40 mm diameter and the
extension being 75 mm. The permissible
shear and crushing stresses for the mild
steel key are 56 MPa and 112 MPa
respectively. Design the keyway in the
motor shaft extension. Check the shear
strength of the key against the normal
strength of the shaft.

November 23 Ahmed H. Mokhtar 2

November 23 Ahmed H. Mokhtar 3
Maximum torque transmitted by the shaft

𝜋𝜏𝑑 3
= = 335.1 𝑘𝑁𝑚𝑚
16 𝐾𝑐

Maximum torque transmitted by the key

𝑙𝑤𝜏𝑑
= = 840 𝑘𝑁𝑚𝑚
2

Maximum torque transmitted by the key

= 2.51
Maximum torque transmitted by the shaft

November 23 Ahmed H. Mokhtar 4