GWB industrial cardan shafts and drivelines
GWB heavy-duty industrial driveshafts (Germany): closed and split bearing eye shafts series 687, 587, 390, 392, and 492 delivering torque up to 15,000 kNm.
GWB series 687 and 688 industrial cardan shafts
GWB series 687 and 688 universal joint shafts with closed bearing eyes transmit TCS torque between 2.4 and 35 kNm with flange diameters from 100 to 225 mm. Low-maintenance bearing packages and plastic-coated splines provide high endurance at deflection angles up to 25 degrees.
- Torque rating TCS spanning from 2.4 up to 35 kNm for space-restricted drive systems
- Closed bearing eye yoke construction equipped with durable roller bearing packages
- Polymer-coated splines ensuring smooth telescopic travel under changing lengths
- Joint operating deflection angle up to 25 degrees with short-term peaks up to 44
GWB series 587 medium-duty industrial driveshafts
GWB series 587 cardan shafts deliver reliable torque transfer for rail vehicles, paper machinery, and industrial roll plants. Assemblies handle TCS torque from 43 to 57 kNm across flange sizes from 225 to 285 mm while offering superior torsional stiffness under peak stresses.
- TCS torque transmission ratings ranging from 43 up to 57 kNm for industrial drivelines
- Standard companion flange connection diameters ranging from 225 to 285 millimeters
- Telescopic slip spline treated with anti-friction protective BCS lubricant varnish
- Maximum angular deflection capacity of universal joints reaching up to 24 degrees
GWB series 390 heavy-duty split bearing eye shafts
GWB series 390 cardan shafts feature split bearing eyes with serrated caps engineered for tight machine footprints in heavy engineering and crane hoists. The build delivers extended bearing endurance at TCS torque from 60 to 255 kNm and flange diameters from 285 to 435 mm.
- High torque throughput between 60 and 255 kNm within restricted installation spaces
- Split bearing eyes with toothed cap interfaces for fast overhaul and dismantling
- Optimized cylindrical roller bearings providing prolonged operational endurance
- Telescopic length compensation sections coated with protective anti-friction lacquer
GWB series 392 and 393 rolling mill driveshafts
GWB series 392 and 393 heavy universal driveshafts are tailored for rolling mill stands, calender units, and roughing roll trains. Shafts transmit TCS torque from 70 to 1,150 kNm across flange spans from 225 to 550 mm and absorb severe dynamic shock impulses during operation.
- Exceptional torsional strength with TCS torque ranges extending from 70 to 1150 kNm
- Split bearing eyes featuring precision toothed joints on bearing retaining caps
- Journal cross geometry engineered with low notch factor for dynamic fatigue relief
- Joint angular deflection angles between 10 and 15 degrees under continuous loads
GWB series 492 and 498 super heavy industrial shafts
GWB series 492 and 498 super heavy cardan shafts drive primary rolling mills, heavy metallurgy complexes, and industrial shredders. Outfitted with Hirth serrated face flanges, they deliver TCS torque up to 15,000 kNm across connection diameters from 285 to 1,200 millimeters.
- Extreme torque transmission capability reaching up to 15,000 kNm in primary mills
- Standard Hirth face serration connection providing slip-free torque distribution
- Universal joint configurations offered in three angular variants to optimize life
- Split bearing eye housings facilitating prompt replacement on heavy production lines
GWB journal crosses, companion flanges, and couplings
For driveline maintenance, available units include complete journal cross kits with needle and roller bearings, quick release couplings with internal threaded spindles, and Klingelnberg companion flanges in C45 steel. Engineers verify correct parts by equipment nameplates.
- Complete factory journal cross packages with roller bearing assemblies for overhauls
- Klingelnberg serrated companion flanges made from heat-treated C45 structural steel
- Quick release disengaging couplings operated by threaded spindle via socket wrench
- Engineering verification of driveshaft specifications by equipment nameplate data
Manufacturing background and engineering standards of GWB
German driveline manufacturer GWB (Gelenkwellenbau GmbH) traces its history back to 1946 in Essen within the Ruhr industrial heartland.
The company established foundational benchmarks for modern heavy universal joint engineering and evolved into a globally acknowledged reference for heavy-duty cardan shafts serving rolling mills, locomotives, and heavy machinery.
Operating as part of Off-Highway Germany GmbH, the Essen facility operates under strict ISO 9001 quality management guidelines.
Fabrication processes encompass precision machining of heavy forgings, induction hardening of spline teeth, dynamic spin balancing, and optical flange inspection to ensure extended joint life during demanding round-the-clock runs.
Closed bearing eye cardan shafts across series 687 and 587
GWB closed bearing eye universal joint shafts series 687, 688, and 587 are built for mobile vehicles, rail propulsion, high-volume pumping stations, and paper mills.
The solid one-piece yoke structure prevents joint gap separation under dynamic bending moments, maintaining alignment of cross journal trunnions under cyclic reverse torque.
Assemblies incorporate low-maintenance roller bearing packs with multi-lip labyrinth seals that retain synthetic lubricant while blocking moisture and particulate contamination.
Telescopic slip splines are treated with durable polymer or protective BCS anti-friction varnish, lowering axial thrust resistance during continuous driveline stroke shifts.
Heavy-duty series 390 universal shafts for compact spaces
The GWB series 390 heavy-duty split bearing eye cardan shaft was designed for plant layouts constrained by tight radial clearances.
Widely utilized in overhead crane hoists, marine auxiliary propulsion lines, industrial draft fans, and bulk material conveyors, the line transmits TCS torque up to 255 kNm despite relatively compact flange diameters.
A distinctive engineering feature is the precision toothed mating joint between the bearing retaining cap and yoke body, preventing joint displacement under shock loads.
Optimized roller geometry prolongs joint endurance in restricted enclosures, while the split cap build expedites bearing pack changeouts during scheduled maintenance outages.
Heavy rolling mill driveshafts across series 392 and 393
GWB series 392 and 393 heavy universal driveshafts are engineered for demanding operational environments in hot and cold strip rolling mills, calender drives, and leveling machines.
Shafts withstand continuous TCS torque up to 1,150 kNm and offer superior torsional rigidity, reducing harmonic vibration when rolls bite heavy metal slabs.
Series 393 journal crosses are designed with reduced stress concentration notch factors and generous internal lubricant reservoirs. The split bearing eye architecture enables fast disassembly on mill tables without moving coupled machinery, lowering planned downtime across metallurgical plants.
Super heavy metallurgy drives across series 492 and 498
For primary roughing mills, slabbing stands, heavy blooming lines, and industrial shredders, GWB manufactures series 492 and 498 cardan shafts transmitting TCS torque up to 15,000 kNm.
Connection flange diameters reach up to 1,200 mm, ensuring dependable continuous throughput in metallurgical plants globally.
Extreme torque transmission relies on Hirth ring face serrations. Hirth teeth provide rigid self-centering flange joints without angular slip.
Universal joints are available in three angular geometry variants, allowing machine designers to achieve optimal bearing life under application-specific deflection angles.
Engineering selection of GWB components and journal crosses
To support driveline overhauls, components include factory journal cross kits with cylindrical roller bearings, quick release couplings with internal threaded spindles, and Klingelnberg companion flanges in C45 steel.
Engineering specialists perform equivalent bearing life calculations and verify shaft parameters by equipment nameplates.
Every replacement assembly undergoes dimensional inspection of bore diameters, bolt patterns, and spline geometries according to factory design drawings.
Commercial orders for industrial enterprises are processed by bank settlement with 22% VAT, accompanied by technical documentation and installation instructions.
GWB and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of GWB and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.
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Documents and sources
- Official manufacturer portal — heavy industrial cardan shafts GWB
- Company background and corporate profile — manufacturing campus in Essen
- Closed bearing eye cardan shafts catalogue — closed assemblies series 687 and 587
- Heavy-duty split bearing eye cardan shafts catalogue — series 390, 392, and 492
- Technical parameters of driveline joints — rolling mill cardan shafts series 392
- Driveline components and companion flanges — driveline parts and Klingelnberg flanges
