Tips

Here are a few that come to mind:

Do I need an air shaft or an air chuck? Price and/or delivery requirements may help to determine which solution you choose. Because air chucks are standard they usually have a quicker delivery and are less expensive than air shafts. Air shafts are custom designed to any length. Air chucks are standard lengths and can support the cores on each end.

Air shafts are manufactured to customer specifications. Air shafts provide easier roll changes, greater torque for higher tension applications, and more custom design options.

Design - There are several choices when it comes to design.

Leaf type air shafts offer excellent concentricity and they will not distort or damage your cores. This type of air shaft beam strength is not well suited for heavy roll weights.

Lug and button type shafts do have high beam strength for heavy, demanding applications but they may distort or damage cores.

Air shafts and chucks are made out of aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber. Aluminum designs are a good choice for lighter weight applications. Steel construction is effective for applications with a heavier roll weight, but they themselves are much heavier the aluminum or carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is the weight of aluminum and has the strength of steel but they are quite a bit more expensive and their lifetime is reduced because they don't stand up well to shock loads.

There are many manufacturers of air shafts and chucks but when choosing which supplier to use, take in consideration price, delivery time, product quality, and service. It is important that the chosen supplier air shaft or chuck design has been around awhile and is well tested in field applications. Repairs and maintenance is also a consideration. Being able to stock and repair in house air shafts and chucks is critical. Quick response from suppliers when problems do occur (and they always do) is critical.

Doing your research before choosing which air shaft or chuck would be best suited for your application is a good investment.