KEVOS® MAKEOS · Strength

Interference Fit Limits Check (IT Grades, Least and Most Interference, Torque, Stress)

With the hole and shaft tolerances I have chosen, will the fit still hold the torque at its least interference, and will the hub be overstressed at its most?

Check of an interference fit over its full tolerance range: the hole and shaft tolerances from the IT grades for the size (as the ISO tolerance grade tool), with a basic hole and your shaft lower deviation; the least and most interference; contact pressure and holding torque at the least interference against the torque times your slip factor; hub stress and safety factor at the most interference; press-in force and heating temperature for assembly at the most (as the press and shrink fit tool).

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How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Nominal interface diametermmNominal diameter of the fit.
Hole tolerance grade (basic hole, lower deviation 0)choiceIT grade of the hole (basic hole: the hole’s lower deviation is zero).
Shaft tolerance gradechoiceIT grade of the shaft.
Shaft lower deviation (your fit)µmLower deviation of the shaft from nominal for the fit you want (positive for an interference fit; from your fit standard).
Hub, shaft and materials
Hub outside diametermmOutside diameter of the hub.
Shaft bore (0 = solid)mmBore of a hollow shaft.
Engagement lengthmmLength of the fit.
Coefficient of friction at interfaceFriction coefficient at the interface.
Hub elastic modulusGPaElastic modulus of the hub.
Hub Poisson’s ratioPoisson’s ratio of the hub.
Shaft elastic modulusGPaElastic modulus of the shaft.
Shaft Poisson’s ratioPoisson’s ratio of the shaft.
Hub yield strengthMPaYield strength of the hub.
Required safety factor on hubSafety factor you need on hub yield.
Hub expansion coefficientµm/(m·K)Expansion coefficient of the hub for shrink assembly.
Assembly clearance when heatedmmClearance wanted when the heated hub is slid on.
Duty
Torque to transmitN·mTorque the fit must transmit.
Safety factor on slipSafety factor against slipping.

Method and formulas

  1. IT values from the standard tolerance unit i = 0.45 ∛D + 0.001 D for the size step (as the ISO tolerance grade tool); hole 0 to +IT_h; shaft ei to ei + IT_s.
  2. Least interference = ei − IT_h; most = ei + IT_s.
  3. p = δ ÷ {d [(k_h + ν_h) ÷ E_h + (k_s − ν_s) ÷ E_s]}; holding torque = μ p π d² L ÷ 2; hub von Mises stress, press force and heating ΔT = (δ + clearance) ÷ (α d) (as the press and shrink fit tool).
  4. Example: interference 20.02–60.612 µm; it holds 1,061.4 N·m at the least and the hub has a factor of 1.6498 at the most.

Limitations

  • Thick-cylinder theory; long hubs and stepped shafts concentrate stress at the hub ends.
  • Surface smoothing reduces the effective interference slightly; allow for it with fine finishes ignored.
  • Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.

Typical uses

  • Choose a shaft tolerance for a press-fitted gear or coupling
  • Check a fit over its whole tolerance band
  • Set the heating temperature for shrinking on

Who it is for

  • Design engineers
  • Machine designers
  • Maintenance engineers

What you get

  • Hole and shaft limits, least and most interference
  • Pressure and holding torque at least interference
  • Hub stress, press force and heating temperature at most interference

Interpreting the result

  • The tolerance band must keep both ends working: enough grip at the least interference and no yield at the most.

References

  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 631–634, 635–668. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
  • ISO 286-1:2010 Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — ISO code system for tolerances on linear sizes

WORKOS tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.

Open the Interference Fit Limits Check (IT Grades, Least and Most Interference, Torque, Stress) calculator