Roller Ramp Clutches | GMN Bearing USA

What is a Roller Ramp Clutch?

Roller Ramp clutches are mainly used in heavy duty applications that require durability.

A Roller Ramp Clutch has four main components:

The outer ring
The clamping rollers
The star-like clamping ramps (incorporated into the inner ring)
Spring loading for each individual roller (located within the inner ring)

Roller Ramp Clutches are designed and built to be robust and handle the heavy-duty clutch work. The quick on and off action works perfectly in the harshest environments with extreme torque requirements. In the most demanding of applications, Roller Ramp Clutches gladly step up to the plate.

This is a sprag point, not a roller ramp point.

GMN Roller Ramp Series Overview

The VS, VSNU, and VF Roller Ramp Series

Our VS, VSNU, and VF series must be used inside housings because they aren’t self-supporting and require outside bearing support to ensure operational alignment of the inner and outer ring. When using these series, take extra precautions to avoid axial misalignment and thrust loads.

Contact our on-site mechanical engineers for additional information.

VS Series

Use our VS series roller ramp clutch with our radial ball bearing 6200 series. This clutch fits shafts 8-80 mm and is rust protected.

VS Series

VSNU Series

Use this series with a ball bearing 6300 series. The VSNU series roller ramp clutch fits shafts 8-80 mm and is rust protected.

VSNU Series

VF Series

Use the VF series with ball bearing 6400 series. This roller ramp clutch fits shafts 8-60 mm and is rust protected.

VF Series

The VGF, VGV, VGL(P) and VEK Roller Ramp Series

The VGF series has integrated bearing support. Sleeve bushings are used for VGF 8 to VGF 20 products and VGF 25 to VGF 60 uses ball bearing support. This means external bearing support won’t be needed in most applications.

The VGV series has a torque arm (lever arm) which is good for indexing and backstopping applications. Sleeve bushings support this series, and these clutches are double sealed by the sleeve bushings.

The VGL & VGLP series don’t require an external housing and can be bolted straight to a wall (or other stabilizing structure) with the shaft mounted and held in place with the inner ring keyway of the roller ramp clutch.

Our VEK series is capable of multiple revolutions. When the pawl hits stop, the rollers are disengaged separating the driving parts. When the pawl is released again, driving members are connected instantly.

VGF Series

Our VGF series has bearing support. It fits shafts 8-60 mm and is rust protected.

VGF Series

VGV Series

The VGF series is supported with sleeve bushings. This roller ramp clutch fits shafts 20-80 mm and is grease packed for lifetime.

VGV Series

VGL(P) Series

The VGL(P) series is a basic clutch, mostly used outside housings, like sprockets. This roller ramp clutch fits shafts 12-80 mm and is rust protected.

VGL(P) Series

VEK Series

Our VEK series roller ramp clutch fits shafts 10-50 mm and is rust protected. This series provides perfect performance with 100% repeatability.

VEK Series

Part Number	Inner Diameterd [mm]	Outer DiameterD [mm]	Nominal TorqueT [N⋅m]	Nominal TorqueT [ft⋅lb]
VS 8	8	24	2.500	1.850	Quote
VSNU 8	8	35	8.500	6.250	Quote
VF 8	8	37	14.500	10.700	Quote
VGF 8	8	37	14.500	10.700	Quote
VS 10	10	30	5.800	4.250	Quote
VEK 10	10	55	15	11	Quote
VGL 12 F5D2(D3)	12		37	27	Quote
VS 12	12	32	8.700	6.400	Quote
VSNU 12	12	35	8.500	6.250	Quote
VF 12	12	37	14.500	10.700	Quote
VGF 12	12	37	14.500	10.700	Quote
VGL 12 / VGLP 12 F7D7	12	62	37	27	Quote
VGL 12 F2(F4)D2(D3)	12	62	37	27	Quote
VGL 15 F5D2(D3)	15		58	43	Quote
VS 15	15	35	9.700	7.150	Quote
VSNU 15	15	42	29	21.350	Quote
VF 15	15	47	40	29.500	Quote
VGF 15	15	47	40	29.500	Quote
VEK 15	15	62	25	18.400	Quote
VGL 15 / VGLP 15 F7D7	15	68	58	43	Quote
VGL 15 F2(F4)D2(D3)	15	68	58	43	Quote
VGL 15.KS 4-D2	15	68	63	46.500	Quote
VGL 15.KS 6.3-D2	15	68	58	42.800	Quote
VSNU 17	17	47	45	33.150	Quote
VGL 20 F5D2(D3)	20		140	103	Quote
VS 20	20	47	31	22.850	Quote
VSNU 20	20	52	72	53.100	Quote
VF 20	20	62	90	66.300	Quote
VGF 20	20	62	90	66.300	Quote
VEK 20	20	75	60	44.200	Quote
VGL 20 / VGLP 20 F7D7	20	75	140	103	Quote
VGL 20 F2(F4)D2(D3)	20	75	140	103	Quote
VGL 20.KS 10-D2	20	75	100	73.700	Quote
VGL 20.KS 6.3-D2	20	75	63	46.500	Quote
VGV 20	20	83	440	324	Quote
VGL 25 F5D2(D3)	25		175	129	Quote
VS 25	25	52	40	29.500	Quote
VSNU 25	25	62	100	73.700	Quote
VF 25	25	80	175	129	Quote
VGF 25	25	80	175	129	Quote
VGV 25	25	83	440	324	Quote
VGL 25 / VGLP 25 F7D7	25	90	175	129	Quote
VGL 25 F2(F4)D2(D3)	25	90	175	129	Quote
VGL 25.KS 10-D2	25	90	100	73.700	Quote
VGL 25.KS 6.3-D2	25	90	100	73.700	Quote
VGL 30 F5D2(D3)	30		325	240	Quote
VS 30	30	62	72	53.100	Quote
VSNU 30	30	72	165	122	Quote
VF 30	30	90	325	239	Quote
VGF 30	30	90	325	239	Quote
VGL 30 / VGLP 30 F7D7	30	100	325	240	Quote
VGL 30 F2(F4)D2(D3)	30	100	325	240	Quote
VGL 30.KS 10-D2	30	100	160	118	Quote
VGL 30.KS 16-D2	30	100	160	118	Quote
VGV 30	30	118	2,050	1,510	Quote
VEK 30	30	120	160	118	Quote
VGL 35 F5D2(D3)	35		400	295	Quote
VS 35	35	72	107	78.900	Quote
VSNU 35	35	80	245	180	Quote
VF 35	35	100	400	295	Quote
VGF 35	35	100	400	295	Quote
VGL 35 / VGLP 35 F7D7	35	110	400	295	Quote
VGL 35 F2(F4)D2(D3)	35	110	400	295	Quote
VGL 35.KS 16-D2	35	110	250	184	Quote
VGL 35.KS 25-D2	35	110	250	184	Quote
VGV 35	35	118	2,050	1,510	Quote
VGL 40 F5D2(D3)	40		600	442	Quote
VS 40	40	80	137	101	Quote
VSNU 40	40	90	345	254	Quote
VF 40	40	110	600	442	Quote
VGF 40	40	110	600	442	Quote
VGV 40	40	118	2,050	1,510	Quote
VGL 40 / VGLP 40 F7D7	40	125	600	442	Quote
VGL 40 F2(F4)D2(D3)	40	125	600	442	Quote
VGL 40.KS 25-D2	40	125	400	295	Quote
VGL 40.KS 40-D2	40	125	400	295	Quote
VEK 40	40	155	420	309	Quote
VGL 45 F5D2(D3)	45		840	619	Quote
VS 45	45	85	163	120	Quote
VSNU 45	45	100	545	402	Quote
VF 45	45	120	840	619	Quote
VGF 45	45	120	840	619	Quote
VGL 45 / VGLP 45 F7D7	45	130	840	619	Quote
VGL 45 F2(F4)D2(D3)	45	130	840	619	Quote
VGL 45.KS 40-D2	45	130	630	464	Quote
VGL 45.KS 63-D2	45	130	630	464	Quote
VGV 45	45	155	3,200	2,358	Quote
VGL 50 F5D2(D3)	50		1,500	1,105	Quote
VS 50	50	90	174	128	Quote
VSNU 50	50	110	730	538	Quote
VF 50	50	130	1,500	1,105	Quote
VGF 50	50	130	1,500	1,105	Quote
VGL 50 / VGLP 50 F7D7	50	150	1,500	1,105	Quote
VGL 50 F2(F4)D2(D3)	50	150	1,500	1,105	Quote
VGL 50.KS 100-D2	50	150	1,000	737	Quote
VGL 50.KS 63-D2	50	150	630	464	Quote
VGV 50	50	155	3,200	2,358	Quote
VEK 50	50	185	650	479	Quote
VGL 55 F5D2(D3)	55		1,560	1,150	Quote
VF 55	55	140	1,560	1,150	Quote
VGF 55	55	140	1,560	1,150	Quote
VGV 55	55	155	3,200	2,358	Quote
VGL 55 / VGLP 55 F7D7	55	160	1,560	1,150	Quote
VGL 55 F2(F4)D2(D3)	55	160	1,560	1,150	Quote
VGL 55.KS 100-D2	55	160	1,000	737	Quote
VGL 60 F5D2(D3)	60		2,350	1,732	Quote
VS 60	60	110	330	243	Quote
VSNU 60	60	130	960	707	Quote
VF 60	60	150	2,350	1,732	Quote
VGF 60	60	150	2,350	1,732	Quote
VGV 60	60	155	3,200	2,358	Quote
VGL 60 / VGLP 60 F7D7	60	170	2,350	1,732	Quote
VGL 60 F2(F4)D2(D3)	60	170	2,350	1,732	Quote
VGL 60.KS 100-D2	60	170	1,000	737	Quote
VGL 60.KS 160-D2	60	170	1,600	1,179	Quote
VGL 70 F5D2(D3)	70		3,400	2,506	Quote
VSNU 70	70	150	1,600	1,179	Quote
VGV 70	70	155	3,200	2,358	Quote
VGL 70 / VGLP 70 F7D7	70	190	3,400	2,506	Quote
VGL 70 F2(F4)D2(D3)	70	190	3,400	2,506	Quote
VGL 80 F5D2(D3)	80		4,900	3,611	Quote
VSNU 80	80	170	2,400	1,769	Quote
VGV 80	80	190	5,000	3,685	Quote
VGL 80 / VGLP 80 F7D7	80	210	4,900	3,611	Quote
VGL 80 F2(F4)D2(D3)	80	210	4,900	3,611	Quote

Design Technology of the Roller Ramp Clutch

Indexing

Indexing can best be defined as the transformation of forward and backward movement into rotational irregular motion, like in material feeding.

When indexing roller ramp clutches, design the outer ring to be the driving component, oscillating back and forth, with intermittent rotation of the inner ring. This will boost the effectiveness of indexing.

If the roller ramp clutches are mounted side-by-side with overlapping actuation, a continuous motion is made.

For very high indexing requirements, increased spring force can be applied. Improved efficiency can be achieved by adding a second backstopping clutch and using light weight oils.

Make sure to find the best ratio of nominal torque to applied torque and account for the slight angle of engagement twist to wedge those rollers when changing from freewheel to driving directions.

A few examples of indexing clutch applications: Printing, Textile and Sewing Machines, Packaging, Agricultural Machines and more.

Overrunning

When you need an overrunning clutch, you can achieve maximum performance by designing a stationary inner ring or making it the slowest part of your clutch/application.

A few examples of overrunning clutch applications: Starter units, auxiliary drives, auxiliary power equipment, conveyors, turbines, bakery & cutlery equipment.

Backstopping

Backstopping performs the best when you hold the outer ring stationary and allow the inner ring to rotate free in one direction.

The use of low viscosity lubricants is important for backstopping. If you have high speeds that exceed catalog RPM standards, we recommend a circulating oil system for backstopping. Be sure to contact GMN Bearing USA for more details and support.

A few examples of backstopping clutch applications: winches, cranes, elevators, gearboxes, pumps, ventilators & power plant equipment.

Transmittable Torque

For our GMN roller ramp clutch series VS / VSNU / VF/ VGF / VGL / VGLP / VEK the nominal torque (M) refers to 107 cycles. It’s calculated with a safety factor of S = 2.5. Torque peaks in use may never be higher than M x 2.5 [Nm]. Please note: Series VEK torque peaks are referring to the inertia of all accelerated parts and has to be expected.

For our GMN roller ramp clutch series VGV the nominal torque (M) refers to 105 cycles and doesn’t include any safety factors. Torque peaks in use may never be higher than nominal torque.

To properly disengage, a minimum of driven mass will be required depending on the speed. Within the limits of nmax and nmin (please refer to the specific data sheets for this information) the inertia of the VEK clutch itself will be sufficient for proper disengagement (nmin) and reasonable lifetime (nmax).

Bolts – Torque Indicating Wrench

Bolts	Class B	Class 9	Series	Series
Type	Tightening Torque [NM]		VGL, VGLP	VEK
M4	3, 5	4	–	10
M5	7	8, 5	12, 15	15, 20
M6	12, 5	14, 5	20, 25, 30, 35	30
M8	30	35	40, 45, 50	40
M10	60	70	55, 60, 70, 80	50
M12	105	120

Thread length in outer ring: L = 1.5 x Bolt Type

Helpful Tools & Resources

Markets & Applications

Overrunning Sprag Clutches for Printing & Converting Machines

Installing Roller Ramp Clutches

Sprag Clutch vs Roller Ramp Clutches

Contact Us for Roller Ramp Clutches

Contact GMN Bearing USA for more information on how roller ramp clutches can be used to improve the performance of your application.

Desktop Tablet Mobile