Elevate Your Aerospace Projects with Belden Universal Joints
Are you in the process of developing or refreshing a groundbreaking aircraft platform? At Belden Universal, we are an AS9100 precision machine shop that specializes in crafting high-precision universal joints tailored to meet the rigorous demands of the aerospace industry. Our team of experienced design engineers and skilled machinists is dedicated to supporting your R&D efforts, from initial concept to full-scale production.
Your Partner in Aerospace Innovation
Belden Universal is your ideal collaborator to develop platform-specific aerospace u-joints, offering support from the prototyping phase through full production. Belden has a wide array of standard universal joints that can be used as base designs for your custom universal joint, driveshaft, or torque tube. Whether you require a single piece to prototype or a large production run of 5,000 units, our versatile machining cells can accommodate your needs. We understand the unique challenges of aerospace applications and provide bespoke solutions to meet your specific requirements.
Advanced Capabilities for Custom Solutions
Does your project necessitate specialized fixturing or tooling? Our in-house additive manufacturing and short-run machining capabilities enable rapid prototyping and iterative testing, ensuring optimal fit, form, and function. Beyond universal joints, our versatile CNC turning centers, mills, and grinders allow us to produce a wide range of hardware and components essential to your aerospace designs.
Mil-Spec Line Provides a Unique Base Design
Belden Universal’s Military Standard (Mil-Spec) line of universal joints provides a unique and proprietary base design for many of our custom aerospace universal joint projects. The Mil-Spec line is certified to conform to the QPL standard maintained by the US Department of Defense. Standard Mil-Spec universal joints (i.e. unmodified mil-spec joints) are widely used throughout the aerospace industry. The Mil-Spec design provides an optimal combination of strength, weight, and corrosion resistance that many aerospace engineers favor when specifying aerospace u-joints, drive shafts, or torque tubes.
Customization to Fit Your Needs
To begin the journey of bringing your universal joint or drive shaft prototype to life, consider starting with one of our many standard products, then customizing the hubs and lengths to fit your unique application. Here’s how you can tailor your prototype to perfection:
Step 1: Select the Base Design
Choose between Plain Bearing or Needle Bearing designs based on your application requirements. Our comprehensive guide on Plain Bearing vs. Needle Bearing U-Joints will help you make an informed decision. Or start from Belden Universal’s military standard (Mil-Spec) u-joint line – this product family serves as the basis for many of Belden’s aerospace u-joint projects.
Step 2: Choose Your End Hub Configuration
We offer a variety of end hub configurations, available in both inch and metric sizes. Our six most conventional hub types come in male or female forms, but we can customize the hub to any configuration required for your shaft connection.
Step 3: Select the Material
We provide a wide selection of standard and special materials, each offering unique benefits such as increased strength, improved wear resistance, and superior corrosion resistance. Our materials include:
• Alloy steels like 1144 and 4130
• AISI 303, 304, 316L, 416, 420, 17-4, and 15-5 stainless steels
• Aluminum
• Duplex stainless steels (e.g., S32760)
• Super alloys (e.g., Inconel)
• Titanium and more
Step 4: Optional Plating or Surface Treatments
Enhance the performance and durability of your components with various plating and surface treatments:
• Cadmium plating (ideal for aerospace steels)
• Zinc plating
• Nickel plating
• Zinc-Nickel plating
• Black oxide treatment
• Electro polishing
Step 5: Special Quality Documentation
As an AS9100 machine shop, we adhere to the highest standards in aerospace manufacturing. If your project requires special documentation or quality compliance, communicate these needs early to ensure a seamless development process and precise cost estimation.
