In most joints between the wheel-head and the axle, adjoining wedges are most commonly used (60% of all cases). The growing demand for material savings, lower cost of manufacture, installation and service, does not favors the application of adjoining wedges. The basic criteria for reliability of angular momentum transfer and other requirements (e.g.: longitudinal and circular maneuverability, centering accuracy, reusable installation, cost of production), are favoring the application of tightening elements (rings). The joints using tightening elements, compared to adjoining wedges, transfer greater specific rotational momentum, have lower material cost and greater simplicity. There is also 60% financial saving. |