Important Considerations When in the Market for a Gear Reducer

There is no shortage of benefits you receive from using gear reducers. We even wrote a whole piece dedicated to their practicality within modern industries.

However, the perks provided by a gear reducer are reliant on the fact that you are able to select one that is perfectly suited for the task at hand.

Having the confidence required in your selection is important. That is why we have put together the following guide for your consideration:

Declare Your Variables

The torque and rotational speed required for your application should be measured and taken into account when it comes to your selection process. Luckily, this should be easy to spot as most manufacturers clearly denote the minimum and maximum torque of a gear reducer in newton metres (N.m).

Define Your Torque Density

Another measure you should outline prior to your selection is what is known as torque density – a quantity, expressed in units of torque/volume; demonstrating a gear reducer’s torque-carrying potential. This measure is contingent on the type of gear reducer you may wish to utilise. For example, planetary gear sets are well-regarded for their high torque density.  

Establish the Rotational Speed Output

All applications are unique when it comes to their ideal reduction ratio. This is factored in when determining the output rotational speed which is dependent upon the rotational speed produced from the motor. The indexed reduction ratio should be simple to locate as it should be clearly labelled on the manufacturers product page.

Assembly Matters

The input and output shafts located on a gear reducer can come in numerous modalities, including coaxial, parallel-shaft, or orthogonal. It is best to clearly define the assembly you need before committing to a gear reducer.

Gear Reducers Come in Many Forms

Take the time to consider the gear reducer best suited for your work environment. We will discuss the three most common gear reducers you are prone to come across:

1) Worm Gear Reducer

When you need a gear reducer designed for very high transmission ratios, normally required for conveyors, then a worm gear reducer is typically your best port of call. This gear reducer can be identified by its input and output shafts that are perpendicular to one another.

2) Bevel Gear Reducer

Conveyors used in a more industrial context require more power than that which a worm gear may provide. A bevel gear reducer’s capacity for delivering high torque and power comes from their robust design, and can be distinguished by their angular bell crank; allowing for manipulation of the machine’s rotation system.

3) Planetary Gear Reducer

Should your activity require high efficiency and a stepped or stepless change in its speed ratio then consider a planetary gear reducer. The coaxial assembly for the input and output shafts makes them well suited for wind turbines, aircraft engines, and machining centres. This gear reducer should stand out due to their compact design and low weight (which can be three times lower than non-planetary gear reducers).

As you can see, a lot goes into formulating a step-by-step plan of action before deciding upon a gear reducer for your production facility.

Where can you outfit your production line with the best gear reducers in the market? We are proud at Bauer GMC to have been serving clients the world over in a variety of industries with our built-to-last gear reducers; increasing your output and preventing costly downtime. Reach out to a one of our staff of in-house experts who can assist you, no matter what stage in the process you find yourself in!