Key Force Calculator

Formula

To calculate the key force (KF):

\[ \text{KF} = \frac{T \times 2}{D} \]

Where:

\(\text{KF}\) is the key force (lbf)
\(T\) is the torque applied to the key (lbf-in)
\(D\) is the diameter of the shaft (in)

What is Key Force?

A key force is the total force, including direct and shear force, acting on a key during an operation. It is crucial in mechanical engineering to ensure the integrity and performance of keyed connections in machinery.

Example Calculation 1

Let's assume the following values:

Torque (\(T\)) = 500 lbf-in
Diameter of Shaft (\(D\)) = 2 in

Using the formula:

\[ \text{KF} = \frac{500 \times 2}{2} = 500 \text{ lbf} \]

The Key Force is 500 lbf.

Example Calculation 2

Let's assume the following values:

Torque (\(T\)) = 1000 lbf-in
Diameter of Shaft (\(D\)) = 4 in

Using the formula:

\[ \text{KF} = \frac{1000 \times 2}{4} = 500 \text{ lbf} \]

The Key Force is 500 lbf.