Profab Machine manufactures custom stainless steel universal joints in 304, 316L, and 17-4PH. Single, double, and telescopic types are available with needle-bearing or pin-and-block construction. Bores, keyways, and hubs are machined to your drawing or sample.
A universal joint, also called a Cardan joint or Hooke’s joint, transmits rotation between two shafts that are not in line. A cross (spider) links two yokes, so the shafts can run at an angle to each other. Profab Machine mainly supplies cross-type joints in stainless steel for equipment that runs wet, gets washed down, or sits in salt air.
A stainless steel universal joint transmits torque between two shafts that meet at an angle. A single joint accepts that angle but speeds up and slows down the output shaft once per turn. A double joint with equal angles and correct phasing largely cancels that variation. Choose by working angle, torque, speed, and bearing type, not by bore alone.
Profab Machine manufactures stainless steel universal joints in 304 and 316L as standard, and in 17-4PH where strength matters more than chloride resistance. We confirm the material of the yokes, cross, pins, and fasteners against your application before production begins. Operating angle, torque, and bore are confirmed at the same time.
One cross connects two yokes. This is the standard arrangement for most power transmission and motion control work at moderate angles. The angle limit is 45° for pin-and-block joints and 30° for needle-bearing joints. Above 15°, vibration and bearing wear rise in precision drives, so choose a double joint when output speed must stay steady.
Two single joints run in series through a center yoke. They suit steering shafts, parallel-offset shafts, and drives that need smooth output above 15°. The assembled length is longer than a single joint, so check the axial space before you specify one.
A splined sliding section lets the shaft change length while it turns. It suits drives where the two shafts move toward or away from each other, such as adjustable linkages and steering columns. Working angle, spline fit, and stroke are specified separately.
A cross and two yokes carry the torque. A single joint varies the output speed as the working angle grows. A double joint with equal angles at both ends and correctly phased yokes largely cancels that variation.
A CV joint uses a different mechanism to keep output speed steady through its working angle. It is not interchangeable with a cross-type joint. Profab mainly supplies cross-type universal joints.
Read the full comparison in Universal Joint vs CV Joint Explained.
The values below are typical for single joints in 316L at a 15° working angle. Torque capacity falls as the angle rises, to about 70% of the rated value at 30° and about 50% at 45° (pin-and-block only). Confirm torque at your actual working angle before you order.
| OD (approx.) | Standard Bore Range | Max Torque (at 15°) | Max RPM (Needle) | Max RPM (Pin & Block) | Bearing / Construction Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 mm | 4–6 mm | 0.8 N·m | 3,600 | 1,500 | Needle Bearing |
| 16 mm | 4–8 mm | 1.8 N·m | 3,600 | 1,500 | Needle Bearing |
| 22 mm | 6–12 mm | 4.5 N·m | 3,000 | 1,200 | Needle Bearing / Pin & Block |
| 28 mm | 8–16 mm | 9.0 N·m | 2,500 | 1,000 | Needle Bearing / Pin & Block |
| 35 mm | 10–20 mm | 18.0 N·m | 2,000 | 800 | Pin & Block (Standard) |
| 50 mm | 14–28 mm | 42.0 N·m | 1,500 | 600 | Pin & Block |
| 75 mm | 20–40 mm | 120.0 N·m | 1,000 | 400 | Pin & Block |
| Custom | 3 mm to 50+ mm | Per calculation | Per spec | Per spec | Custom per application |
Speed and angle limit each other. The allowable speed drops as the working angle rises, so the maximum rpm shown applies at small angles.
Operating angle is the angle between the input and output shaft axes, not the total deflection of one shaft. It sets the output speed variation, the bearing load, and the service life. Running a joint beyond its rated angle shortens bearing life quickly.
| Misalignment Angle | Application & Motion Type | Recommended Joint & Bearing Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 0°–5° | Shaft alignment correction, high life requirement | Single joint (needle or pin-and-block) |
| 5°–15° | Standard angular misalignment, continuous drive | Single joint, needle bearing |
| 15°–30° | High angular misalignment, standard transmission | Single joint (needle bearing or pin-and-block) |
| 15°–30° | High misalignment with near-constant velocity output | Double joint (equal operating angles required at the input and output yokes) |
| 30°–45° | Extreme angular misalignment | Single joint, pin-and-block only (low speed and about 50% torque derating apply) |
| 45°–90° | Steering linkages, parallel-offset shafts | Double joint (45° per joint with pin-and-block; low-speed or manual operation only) |
| Over 90° | Multi-axis or specialized linkage drives | Custom design: consult Profab engineering support |
304 suits dry or intermittently wet environments without regular chloride exposure, such as indoor machinery and general automation. It is the economical choice when 316L’s extra corrosion resistance is not needed.
316L is the choice for food processing, marine service, CIP washdown, and chemical exposure. Its molybdenum content resists the chloride pitting that attacks 304.
17-4PH reaches a tensile strength of up to 1,310 MPa in the H900 condition, roughly 2.5 times that of annealed 316L. Its corrosion resistance is close to 304, so use it for high-strength work in non-chloride environments. Choose 316L for marine or saltwater service.
Stainless universal joints transmit rotation where shafts cannot line up and the environment would corrode carbon steel.
Packaging lines, conveyors, and automation drives use pin-and-block or needle-bearing joints to carry motion across small misalignments.
Pump drives and water treatment equipment use 316L joints where constant moisture and treatment chemicals attack carbon steel.
Washdown equipment uses 316L joints and boots so cleaning chemicals and spray do not attack the drive.
Deck, hatch, and control linkages use 316L joints where salt spray is constant.
Steering linkages and drive shafts use stainless joints where fertilizer and wet soil corrode carbon steel.
Stock catalog joints often fall short when torque spikes, working angles, or the environment exceed what a standard part was built for. Profab configures yoke profiles, hub styles, and lubrication provisions to your torque, speed, and space limits, so your equipment does not have to bend around a catalog size.
Material follows the duty. We supply 304 or 316L stainless for most environments and 17-4PH where strength is the priority. Heat treatment and surface treatments such as passivation and electropolishing are available through our process network. We match the pin, block, and cross material to your duty cycle without adding cost you do not need.
Needle-bearing joints use rolling contact between needle rollers and the cross. They run with lower friction and at higher speed, up to about 3,600 rpm, which suits precision drives and automation.
Pin-and-block joints use sliding contact between a hardened block and the cross pin. They carry more torque for their size, take shock loads better, and can work at up to 45°. They need periodic lubrication or a lubricant-retaining boot. Choose needle bearings for high speed and pin-and-block for lower speed with high torque.
We supply the yokes, hubs, and fasteners in the stainless grade your environment calls for. We also confirm the material of the cross, pins, and bearing elements against your application, so one weak part inside does not undo the corrosion resistance of the rest.
Bore diameter, keyways, and hub designs are machined to your drawing on our CNC turning and milling equipment. Splines and special hubs are reviewed against your drawing before we quote.
Choosing the wrong joint type can cut service life sharply. Our engineers confirm operating angle, torque, speed, and bearing type before production, so you receive the right single, double, or telescopic joint for the application.
Order the joint together with the parts that complete the drive: yokes, drive shafts, rebuild kits, and flange adapters. Each item ships in the stainless grade you specify.
Yokes are bored, keyed, and faced to your shaft diameter. They come in 304 or 316L with a plain bore or a set-screw provision.
Drive shafts are machined to length from 50 mm to 1,200 mm, and the shaft and yoke bore are finish-machined as a matched set. Spline profiles such as DIN 5480 and ANSI B92.1 are quoted on request.
Each kit contains one replacement cross assembly with caged needle rollers, pre-packed with high-temperature grease. Kits fit Profab standard joint sizes.
Flange adapters suit driven or driving parts that bolt on instead of using a bored yoke. They are supplied with mating hardware in the same stainless grade as the joint.
Not seeing your question? Email us at [email protected] and we typically reply same day.
A single joint has one cross connecting two yokes. It handles angles up to 45° in pin-and-block form or 30° with needle bearings. A double joint places two single joints in series through a center yoke. With equal angles at both ends and correctly phased yokes, it largely cancels the speed variation of a single joint and reaches combined angles up to 90°.
No. A cross-type universal joint varies the output speed as the working angle increases, while a CV joint uses a different mechanism to hold the speed steady. A double joint with equal angles and correct phasing comes close, but it is still a cross-type joint. Profab mainly supplies cross-type universal joints.
Needle-bearing joints use rolling contact, so they run with lower friction at higher speed, up to about 3,600 rpm. Their angle limit is 30°. Pin-and-block joints use sliding contact, so they carry more torque for their size and take shock better. Their angle limit is 45°, and they need periodic lubrication or a lubricant-retaining boot.
Yes, if the joint runs in dust, washdown spray, or abrasive media. A nitrile boot keeps grease in and contaminants out, which extends bearing life. In CIP washdown areas, plan to replace boots about every 12 months. Profab supplies nitrile boot covers sized to each joint OD.
Send the part number, a drawing, or the worn part if you have one. Otherwise send the joint type, bore and keyway, hub length and outside diameter, cross size, working angle, speed, and torque. If the joint is already worn, our guide to bad universal joint symptoms shows what to check. We review the details and confirm the match before quoting.
Work through these six points before you request a quote. Together they cover most of what we need to confirm a joint.
| Factor | What to Confirm | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Joint arrangement | Single, double, or telescopic | A double joint smooths the output only when both angles are equal and the yokes are phased correctly. |
| Working angle | The angle between the input and output shaft axes | This is the angle between the shafts, not how far one shaft deflects. |
| Torque | Torque at your working angle, not the peak at 0° | Torque capacity falls as the working angle rises. |
| Speed and duty | Speed (rpm), reversals, and shock loads | Allowable speed also falls as the working angle rises. |
| Bearing type | Needle bearing or pin-and-block | Needle bearings suit speed. Pin-and-block joints suit torque and shock. |
| Shaft interface | Bore, keyway or spline, hub length, and retention method | A bore-only match can leave the joint unretained or badly fitted. |
Send the joint type, bore and keyway, working angle, torque and speed, and grade, plus a drawing or sample.
Our engineers review your universal joint request or drawing and send you a specific quote within 24 hours.
Standard lead time for universal joints is 30 days. Custom designs are sampled before the full production run.
We ship universal joints by sea, air, or express courier. A tracking number follows once the order ships.
We support small-batch and prototype runs with no hard minimum order quantity. A first prototype run is typically around 100 pieces.
If you already have drawings, email [email protected] directly and we will quote from them.
[email protected] ↗Send Your Inquiry Today
