In gearbox sizing, it’s important to determine the required input speed in rpm and ensure that it doesn’t exceed the gearbox’s maximum speed capability. But the linear velocity of the gear teeth, known as pitch line velocity, also plays a significant role in gearbox performance. Pitch line velocity is measured at the pitch line of […]
Gears + Gearing
Worm gears: What are they and where are they used?
Worm gears are found in industrial applications, heavy equipment, and even consumer applications. Although their efficiency is relatively low, they can provide very high reduction ratios and, in many cases, are self-locking. Worm gears are constructed of a worm and a gear (sometimes referred to as a worm wheel), with non-parallel, non-intersecting shafts oriented 90 […]
Hypoid gearboxes: What are they and where are they used?
Hypoid gearboxes are a type of spiral bevel gearbox, with the difference that hypoid gears have axes that are non-intersecting and not parallel. In other words, the axes of hypoid gears are offset from one another. The basic geometry of the hypoid gear is hyperbolic, rather than having the conical geometry of a spiral bevel […]
How to design quiet gearmotors: Gear engagement, housing geometry, and more
What applications need quiet gearmotors? The answer might surprise you — because the human ear can detect noise at 10 dB lower than ambient levels, and many gearmotors operate in close proximity to people. In this technical article, we outline recent staff engineers’ research and development into the problem (and potential solutions for) gearmotor noise. […]
Gearboxes and gear motors market growing, says F&S Mechanical Power Transmission team
The global gearboxes and gear motors market is witnessing steady growth, augmented by the adoption of more energy-efficient gearboxes and gear motors, investment in wind energy, material handling, food and beverages, and replacement demand from developed regions. Successful companies will be those that continuously enhance the power transmission efficiencies of their gear systems, focus on vibrant […]
MAXXDRIVE industrial gear units from NORD now in more sizes
NORD Drivesystems recently added two new sizes to the MAXXDRIVE line. The new 133,000 & 177,000 in-lb nominal torque units are a well-received addition to the now 11-member family, complementing the larger units and promising even greater flexibility to system designers. The entire MAXXDRIVE line is modular, and can be configured with a wide array […]
Application brief: Gearboxes in electric adventure vehicles (EAVs)
Electric adventure vehicles (EAVs) need light transmission components but lots of torque. So EAV maker Outrider USA recently sourced a Neugart planetary gearbox to solve the design problem. Outrider makes several versions of the Alpha (for everyday use on gravel and streets) and the Horizon for offroad cycling. Each model has a drive to output […]
What is a gearbox?
Updated 2020 ⚙️ When it comes to gearing components, things can get confusing quickly. There are many terms that gear manufacturers as well as engineers and designers use to talk about what sometimes is essentially the same thing. The term “gearbox” is one of those terms, often times used interchangeably with gearhead or gear reducer […]
IronHorse shaft-mount gearboxes added by AutomationDirect
New IronHorse® Shaft Mount Gearboxes (speed reducers) from AutomationDirect feature shafts and gears manufactured from the highest grade steel, case hardened and precision ground to AGMA standards for long lasting durability. The gearbox shafts have reinforced double lip seals to protect against contamination and prevent oil from escaping. Premium ball and tapered roller bearings provide […]
Washdown-ready Raptor SS planetary gearhead from CGI
The new Raptor SS precision planetary gearhead from CGI Inc. offers stainless-steel construction and IP65-rated sealing for a washdown-ready design that is suitable in food and beverage and other sanitary applications. The planetary gearhead also has high stiffness to withstand high loading — as well as gear geometry to transmit high torque. Components are made of advanced […]