What Are the Different Types of Gearboxes?
The different types of gearboxes include bevel, helical, spur, worm and planetary. Gearboxes are used to alter the speed of a motor, vary greatly depending on the manufacturers and may be used for low-speed or high-speed applications. They are usually made from materials such as brass, iron and aluminum.
Bevel gearboxes are available in two types: spiral and straight-teeth gears. Straight gears are necessary for applications that need low speeds while spiral gears are required in high-speed applications. They are made from aluminum alloy or cast iron.
Helical gearboxes have different angles to allow contact between the teeth. These gearboxes are known to have a smooth operation, and are commonly used in high horsepower applications.
Spur gearboxes have straight teeth attached to a parallel shaft. The teeth of these gearboxes are known to collide, resulting in wear. They are available in different sizes for use in different speeds of applications.
Known to produce low noise level, worm gearboxes can be used in braking systems. They are usually placed in a locked position when not in use.
Planetary gearboxes are named after the solar system due to their design, which resembles the solar system. They have different parts, including ring gears, planetary gears and a sun gear. The sun gear is placed at the center of the gearbox.