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Shaft gear

(134303 products available)

About shaft gear

Types of shaft gears

A shaft gear is a gear type mounted on a shaft. They are utilized for torque transmission and rotary motion in various mechanical assemblies. Generally, there are two types of shaft gears for sale, which include:

  • Pinions: A pinion gear is the smaller of two meshing shafts. They have fewer teeth, which makes them smaller than other shaft gears. Their primary purpose is to engage with other gears (normally larger ones) to transfer torque or alter speed. Factory applications normally utilize pinion gears to initiate movement in systems. In vehicles, they work alongside the rack to facilitate steering.
  • Worm gears: These types of shaft gears resemble screws. They comprise a shaft (the worm) and a gear (the worm wheel). Their main purpose is to provide speed reductions and high torque increases between non-parallel shafts. They also change the direction of torque. Worm shaft gears have the unique ability to prevent loads from back driving the motor. For this reason, they are mostly utilized in protective applications and cases such as elevators, rotary encoders, and stereo receivers. They can also be found in insect and tidal gates.

Aside from the above-mentioned types of shaft gears, there are others, including:

  • Spur gears: They are shaft gears with straight teeth parallel to the gear axis. Spur gears are mostly mounted on parallel shafts and used to transmit rotational motion between shafts. They are considered the simplest type of gear.
  • Helical gears: They have teeth set at an angle to the gear axis, which creates a gradual engagement of the teeth. This helicoid shape allows smooth and quiet transmission of torque between the shafts. Similar to spur gears, these gears are mounted on parallel shafts. They are also considered to require a complex manufacturing process and costly configurations.
  • Bevel gears: They can be described as shaft gears that change the rotational axis of motion. Most bevel gears have conical shapes. Additionally, they can be straight, spiral, or hypoid gears. Bevel gears are mostly used in assemblies such as differential drives in automobiles.

Specification and maintenance of shaft gears

Shaft gear usually refers to the helical or spiral gear mounted on the shaft. In machines with shafts, they are often used to change the direction of power transmission, increase speed or reduce speed, increase torque, etc. The main specifications of the shaft gears include the size, modulus, number of teeth, pressure angle, tooth profile, material, and surface hardness.

  • Size

    The diameter of the shaft gear is essential to fit the shaft where it will be mounted. If the diameter is too big, it will not fit on the shaft. On the other hand, if the diameter is too small, it will become loose, which may cause gear wearing and tear, gear malfunction, and other issues.

  • Modulus

    The gear modulus refers to the size of the gear tooth in the gears, including the gear shaft, which directly affects the load-carrying capacity and transmission efficiency. Choosing appropriate modulus gears can enhance load ability and transmission efficiency.

  • Number of Teeth

    The number of teeth of the shaft gear determines the speed ratio and torque transmission properties. More teeth offer higher speed but lower torque, while fewer offer higher torque but lower speed.

  • Pressure Angle

    The pressure angle affects the smoothness and efficiency of gear transmission. Selecting the appropriate pressure angle according to the gear system's demands can improve the system's performance and delicacy.

  • Material

    The material of the shaft gear determines its durability and load-carrying capacity. Selecting the appropriate material can enhance the durability and load-carrying ability of the shaft gear.

  • Surface Hardness

    Surface hardness controls the wear resistance and durability of the shaft gear. Selecting the appropriate surface hardness can improve the gear's service life.

Maintenance

The maintenance of the shaft gear is through cleaning, lubrication, inspection, and replacement. Remember to disconnect the power of the machinery during maintenance. Users should clean the dust and impurities around the shaft gear, use a soft cloth, and clean the gear teeth and adjacent parts to prevent damage. After cleaning, a proper amount of grease can be added to the gear teeth and their adjacent parts to reduce wear and tear. In the process of using them, it is necessary to frequently check whether there are visible signs of damage, such as wearing and tearing, to ensure that they are in good condition.

Uses of shaft gears

The application of shaft gears is broad and deep in various industries.

  • Conveying machinery

    Shaft gears are widely used in the transmission systems of conveying machinery. For example, shaft gears in conveyor belts can change the speed and torque of the drive motor to control the running speed of the belt. This allows for adjusting the transporting capacity and process as needed.

  • Electrical machinery

    Many electrical machines use shaft gears in their transmission systems. They connect the motor shaft to other parts, changing the motor's speed and torque. This allows electrical machines to work with different loads and operating requirements.

  • Mechanical tools

    Shaft gears are vital in many mechanical tools. In power tools like drills and saws, shaft gears can increase the output torque to handle more challenging tasks. They can also change the rotating speed to adapt to different material processing needs.

  • Automotive industry

    Shaft gears are crucial components in vehicles. In the power transmission system, they transmit the power between the motor-shaft and other parts. This allows vehicles to accelerate differently and maintain speeds. Additionally, shaft gears can dampen vibrations, enhance ride comfort and stability, and improve vehicle control.

  • Aerospace

    Shaft gears are used in various aerospace equipment, such as aircraft control systems, transmission systems, and propulsion devices. They can transmit power and motion, playing a vital role in the stability and maneuverability of aerospace devices.

  • Robotics

    In the robotics industry, shaft gears are widely used in robot joints, transmission mechanisms, and actuators. They can change the direction, speed, and torque of rotation, allowing robots to perform precise operations and complex movements. Shaft gears are crucial for improving the flexibility and adaptability of robots.

  • Medical equipment

    Many medical devices use shaft gears, such as infusion pumps, surgical robots, and diagnostic equipment. They can control the movement and operation of these devices with high precision and stability, ensuring their reliable functioning.

How to choose shaft gears

When choosing shaft gears, buyers need to consider various factors to get suitable gears for their machinery or equipment.

  • Application requirements

    Buyers need to consider the application they intend to use the gear shaft. They need to consider some factors, like working load and torque, the load the gear shaft is working to support, working environment, such as temperature and exposure to moisture, media, and installation space, the transfer mechanism, whether it transfers rotational motion to linear motion or something else, and the ratio between input and output speed and direction are other factors to consider.

  • Gear material and manufacturing process

    Gear materials include steel, brass, cast iron, and alloy, among others. The most common materials used to manufacture gear shafts are steel and cast iron. Steel is used due to its higher tensile strength, allowing it to withstand mechanical stress. Additionally, steel gear shafts are more durable and can withstand regular usage without wearing out quickly. On the other hand, cast iron gear shafts offer excellent shock absorption capabilities, making them ideal for applications that experience sudden changes in load. This also improves the durability of the gear shaft.

    Before a gear shaft is machined, blank shafts are usually produced using low-pressure die casting or high-pressure die casting. The manufacturing process of a gear shaft directly influences its quality. Many manufacturers use CNC machining and lathing for optimal precision.

  • Supplier's reputation

    It is crucial to partner with a reputable supplier who provides a warranty and excellent customer service. Doing this, buyers can rest assured that they'll receive durable gear shafts. A supplier's reputation can be determined simply by reading reviews from previous buyers.

Shaft gear Q and A

Q1: What is the difference between a shaft and drive shaft?

A1: A shaft is a simple rod, beam, or stick used as a mechanical part in the transmission of torque and rotation. On the other hand, a drive shaft is an engineered type of shaft used in vehicles to transmit power from the engine to the wheels. It is usually long and can withstand heavy forces.

Q2: Can the gear shaft be repaired?

A2: If the damage is not severe, the gear shaft can be repaired through welding. However, the best option is to replace it, as some repairs may weaken the shaft.

Q3: Are gear shafts expensive?

A3: Some parts of the car transmission system, including the gear shafts, can be quite expensive because they are usually solid metal parts made with high-quality steel.

Q4: What are some common things that damage gear shafts?

A4: Gear shafts can be damaged by natural catastrophes like floods, fires, or lightning strikes. Floods are a common threat when the water enters the gearbox. This results in rust formation and finally, gear shaft damage. Other typical destroyers include wear and tear, low lubrication, and improper installation.