Mi-Lock Bushes

Mi-Lock Bushes

Mi-Lock bushes are a tapered locking bush system used to secure sprockets, pulleys, couplings, and other transmission components onto a shaft without the keying, drilling, or set-screw work that other mounting systems require. They install quickly, hold concentrically, and — important for maintenance teams — release cleanly when it's time to remove or replace the driven component. AIMS Industrial stocks Mi-Lock bushes for power transmission, conveyor, and general drive applications.

How Mi-Lock bushes work

The bush is a sleeve with a tapered outside surface. It slides onto the shaft, the driven component fits over the taper, and tightening a set of screws draws the taper home — clamping the component to the shaft through a high-friction grip. Loosening the screws releases the taper and the component slides off without dramas.

Why use a Mi-Lock bush

• No keyways — the bush grips by friction, so the shaft doesn't need a cut keyway
• Concentric mounting — the symmetric clamping force pulls the component true, reducing runout and vibration
• Fast install and removal — important on conveyors and lines where downtime is expensive
• Reusable — the bush can be removed and refitted multiple times without damaging the shaft
• Adjustable axial position — the component can be set anywhere along the shaft within the bush's reach

Sizing and selection

Mi-Lock bushes are sized by shaft bore (standardised metric and imperial sizes) and by the matching component series. The driven component (sprocket, pulley, coupling) needs to be supplied with the matching Mi-Lock taper to mate with the bush — they're a system, not a universal fit.

Other tapered bush options

If your driven component uses a Taper Lock bush instead, we stock those too — the two systems aren't interchangeable, so check the existing component before ordering.

Installation

Fitting a Mi-Lock bush is straightforward. Clean the shaft and the bush bore — any oil or burrs spoil the friction grip. Slide the bush onto the shaft, fit the driven component over the taper, and start the clamping screws by hand. Tighten the screws progressively in a cross pattern (like a wheel nut sequence) to draw the taper home evenly — uneven tightening causes runout. Final torque is specified by the bush series and is worth checking with a torque wrench. To remove, back off the clamping screws; if the bush won't release, the screws often have a removal position — refer to the bush data sheet.

Common pitfalls

Most Mi-Lock failures come down to dirty shafts, mismatched components, or under-torqued screws. A bush that slips on a shaft has either inadequate friction (clean and re-fit) or has been over-loaded for its rating. If the shaft surface is scored or oil-soaked from a previous failure, address that before fitting a fresh bush.

Need help matching bush to component?

contact our team with the shaft size, the component series, and a photo of the existing bush if you have one — we'll get you the right bush first time.