Your Guide to Proper Gear Selection

Gears are used in a wide range of mechanical devices and machinery. The applicability of a specific gear in transmitting power or motion depends on the specific requirements of that application. For instance, spur gears may not be suitable in cases that specifically require the use of helical or bevel gears. As such, some factors have to be taken into account when designing and manufacturing gears. One of the most important considerations is the operational and environmental conditions of the gear application. These conditions impact how a gear design should be, including the gear material, gear surface treatment, and lubrication. 

 

Construction Material

There are a lot of construction materials available for manufacturing each gear, including cast iron, steel, and nylon. Each of these gear materials offers its own manufacturing and operational benefits. Steel is typically chosen for its great tensile strength and hardness, making it a perfect option in manufacturing durable spur gears. For large-scale and high-volume productions, cast iron would be a good choice because of its low cost and easy manufacturing process. On the other hand, nylon is best suitable for light-load applications thanks to its lightness and anti-corrosive properties.

 

Surface Treatment

Surface treatments for gears also varies, with the two major ones being heat treatment and grinding. Heat treatment for gears comes in different options, including annealing, tempering, normalizing, and surface hardening. They are applied to modify the inherent properties of various gear types, such as improving their strength and hardness making them more durable. Grinding that is applied to reduce the amount of noise that the gear produces during its operation as well as increase its transmission capabilities.

 

Lubrication

The primary purpose of using a lubricant for gears is to help prolong their lifespan by reducing the amount of fatigue the gear experiences due to constant friction. The specific type and method of lubrication depends on the specifications of the particular application for the gear.

 

No matter what kind of gear you need, whether it be spur gears, helical hears, or more, you can count on True Gear and Spline to deliver the best manufacturing standards in the industry.