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Hollow Flexible Shaft

Flexible Shaft (HFS)

For rotating mechanisms, this product is pliable, yet efficiently transmits torque through the shaft by adhesively coiling incrementally thicker steel or piano wire rods around a central rod in alternating directions (see figure in Technical Specs). Additionally the shaft does not uncoil from backlash when a machine is turned off.

 

Features and Attributes: 

  • Hollowed shaft allows for fiber optics, and electrical wires to be inserted (see Figure 1  in Technical Specs
  • Ideal for rotating mechanisms
  • Pliable, yet efficiently transmits torque through the shaft 
  • RoHS Compliant 

Standard Product:

  • Flexible Tube Material: Piano wire, Hard Steel wire, SUS304
  • Rod Diameters (mm): 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, 0.2 (SUS Steel Wire); 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 2.6, 3.2 (Hard Steel Wire & SUS wire)
  • Outer Diameter: Largest OD possible is 15mm. 
  • All customizations outside of the standard listed above, will be custom and made to order. Please view Customizations for a full listing of available options.

Services Available Upon Request: 

  • Customized sizes are available. Please inquire for details. 

Common Applications: 

  • Medical Use
  • Wire guide for endoscopes 
  • Equipment that requires flexible connections 

Stock Level: Non-stock made to order item. General lead time is 4-6 weeks.

Figure 1

Figure 2

 

Model (Part Number)  ID mm
(inch)
OD mm
(inch)
Bundle of wire Max Length
one
stretch
(m)
HFS-0.4×1.3 0.4 (0.0157) 1.3 (0.0512) 5 10
HFS-0.5×2.0 0.5 (0.0197) 2.0 (0.0787) 5 10
HFS-0.85×1.5 0.85 (0.0335) 1.5 (0.0591) 5 10
HFS-1.0×3.0 1.0 (0.0394) 3.0 (0.118) 5 10
HFS-1.2×3.0 1.2 (0.0472) 3.0 (0.118) 5 10
HFS-1.5×5.0 1.5 (0.0591) 5.0 (0.197) 5 10
HFS-1.8×5.0 1.8 (0.0708) 5.0 (0.197) 5 10
HFS-2.0×4.0 2.0 (0.0787) 4.0 (0.157) 5 10
HFS-2.3×4.8 2.3 (0.0906) 4.8 (0.189) 5 10
HFS-2.5×5.0 2.5 (0.0984) 5.0 (0.197) 5 10
HFS-3.0×5.5 3.0 (0.118) 5.5 (0.217) 5 10
HFS-4.0×6.6 4.0 (0.157) 6.6 (0.260) 5 10
HFS-5.0×7.8 5.0 (0.197) 7.8 (0.307 5 10
HFS-6.0×9.2 6.0 (0.236) 9.2 (0.362) 5 10

 

Below are the general available options for customization. Please be advised that there may be restrictions based upon size, and application for usage. Please Contact Us for support on your customization requirements!  

Please have the below specs available to inquire about custom hollow flexible shaft tubing.

  • ID
  • OD
  • Material Properties 
  • Direction of rotation (left, right, or bi-directional)
  • Quantity required 
  • Length per piece

 


 

Contact Us for Samples!

Available Flexible Metal Tube Materials:

Material Grade

 Application

Features Applicable Tube Type
Stainless Steel – SUS304 (Standard)
– SUS303
– SUS316
– SUS430
– General Industrial
– Medicinal
– Rigid
– Does not Rust
– Most tube type
Aluminum – General Industrial
– Medicinal
– Does not Rust
– Anti-Static
– Lightweight but Less Sturdy
– Excellent Thermal Conduction
– Square Lock A
– Interlock Type B
– Screw Tube
Titanium – General Industrial
– Medicinal
– Space Engineering
– Rigid
– Anti-Static
– Lighter than Stainless Steel
– Square Lock A
Bronze Phosphate – C5341 – Noise Counter-Measure – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Most tube type
Copper – Noise Counter-Measure – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Most tube type
Brass – Noise Counter-Measure – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Most tube type
Steel – Galvanized Steel Strip
– SK Material (Hardest Steel)
– General Industrial – Affordable Price
– Heavy
– Rusty
– Generally Needs to be Sheathed
– Most tube type

Sheathing Materials and Information

Adding a resin/rubber coating to a flexible tube provides the following additional benefits:
– Waterproof/resistant
– Oil-proof/resistant
– Attractive appearance
– Additional strength
– Superior insulation

**The following chart displays the most common materials available. Please consult us regarding specifications, minimum lot, delivery date, sheathing combinations, and additional materials available (including any heat or chemical resistance requirements).

 

Material Type (Code) Characteristic Color Resin Feature Surface Appearance
PVC/Polyvinyl Chloride (P) Soft Black (Standard), Gray, White, Ivory, Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Yellow-Green, Green, Blue, Clear – Pliable
– Chemical Resistant
– Heat Resistant up to 60°C
– High Oil Resistance
– Glossy
– Matte
– Clear
Semi rigid Black – Slightly Hard
– Smooth Surface
– Chemical Resistant
– Heat Resistant up to 60°C
– Oil Resistant
– Glossy
Flame Resistant Black, Gray, White, Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue – Pliable
– Chemical Resistant
– Heat Resistant up to 60°C
– High Oil Resistance
– Glossy
Flame Resistant, UL Standard Black – Pliable
– Chemical Resistant
– Heat Resistant up to 105°C
– High Oil Resistance
– Matte
Polyethylene (PE) Low density (LDPE) Black – Harder than the Soft Hard Type
– Smooth Surface
– Chemical Resistant
– Heat Resistant up to 70°C
– High Oil Resistance
– Glossy
Polyester Elastomer
(TEEE)
We can provide soft(ShoreA90) to Semi rigid(ShoreD72) Black Opaque – Pliable
– Weatherproof
– Heat Resistance up to 120°C
– Glossy
Silicone Rubber (Si) Soft Black, Gray – Pliable
– Heat Resistance up to 180°C
– Matte
Fluorocarbon Resin
(FEP) (ETFE) (PFA)
Flame Resistant Black – Less Pliable
– Excellent Chemical and Oil Resistance
– Slippery Non-Stick Surface
– Heat Resistant up to 220°C
– Glossy
Polyurethane (PU) Ester Grade Black – Pliable
– Abrasion Resistant
– Heat Resistant up to 70°C
– Glossy
Ether Grade Black, Ivory – Pliable
– Abrasion Resistant
– Water Soluble
– Heat Resistant up to 70°C
– Glossy
Olefin Elastomer (O) Soft Black – Pliable
– Weatherproof
– Heat Resistant up to 60°C
– Matte

PVC Sheathing Varieties

 

 

Figure Num. Sheathing Variety Part Number Code Features
1 Tight-Fitting KSP- __N – Standard item
– PVC fills the spiral valley to make the finished surface even and smooth.
2 Vacuum Sheathing KSP-__N-B – During processing, sheathing is applied in a vacuum.
– The finished surface maintains the spiral pattern of the coil.
3 Bagging Sheathing KSP-__N-F – Sheathing is applied only on the surface of the tube and the spiral valley contains no PVC. The surface of the sheathing will be completely smooth.
N/A Heat Shrink Sheathing KSP-__N + Shrink tube type# – Please contact us for more details.

Other Services

Double Washing and Chemical Polishing

Double washing:
Double washing treatment (using detergent) can be applied to tubes for high precision applications.

Chemical polishing:
We offer tubes with chemical polishing, providing extra shine for optical applications.
※ Special polishing for semiconductor-quality applications also available.

Instructions on How to Measure Bend Radius: PDF Here