ABSTRACT
Shaft Basics Shafts are used to transmit rotational force, or torque, from one location to another. They are generally round, solid steel bars, although hollow round, solid square or other shapes may occasionally be used for a particular design benefit they offer. Unlike most components discussed in this book, shafts are designed based upon basic structural design factors, not selected from ratings given in a catalog. The two most important factors to keep in mind while selecting a shaft are that it must be strong enough to support all anticipated loads, and be fabricated to tolerances which will allow it to integrate with other components.
