A Discussion Of Reducer Types And Gearbox Repairs
1:08 AM // 0 comments // Sajib Barua // Category: //By Henry Taylor
For a power source to be put to useful work its energy must necessarily be transferred to some working implement. Through transforming the rotating force produced by an engine or motor, the direction of rotation, the speed, or the torque will be modified producing the optimum force needed for the work. All mechanical implements require maintenance and eventual repair. This transforming and transmitting device will eventually require Gearbox repairs.
This part, sometimes called a reducer, is used wherever a machine is required to run at a different output speed than the drive or engine speed. Differences in gear ratios result in changed speed and torque.
A meshing of the rotating input or drive gear with a larger output gear, with more teeth, will slow the rotational speed. Torque can also be increased in this way, producing a mechanical advantage. Automobiles are applications where this is observed. The engine, in order to run smoothly, produces many times the number of rotations in a minute as can be used by the wheels.
Other applications, like some larger wind turbines, have the opposite requirement. Design and structural requirements necessitate that the turbine's blades turn at much slower speeds than the several thousands of revolutions per minute the generators require to produce electricity. The gearbox here increases the speed.
The transmission device can be quite complex, with multiple choices of output speeds supplied by gears of several different sizes. An automobile transmission is an example of this. When the car is first put into motion the engine's rotational power must be slowed considerably and the torque or mechanical advantage increased, so that inertia may be overcome. A larger output gear will accomplish this.
As the vehicle begins to travel at more speed and momentum increases, less torque is needed and more speed desired. Using successively smaller output gears results in faster rotation of the wheels. For high cruising speeds an overdrive gear may be available.
When steep hills are encountered the increase in gravitational force that needs to be overcome slows the vehicle. Now it becomes necessary to gear down once again to produce the torque required to carry the car over the hill. Trucks carrying heavy loads or towing have the same demands. When these same trucks are also climbing hills they have need of gearing with much different ratios than economy, or cruising vehicles.
A change of rotational angle or direction is necessary with some applications. The helicopter rotor is an prime example of this. The rotating vertical shaft transmits the engine's energy, but drives a rotor, which turns at a right angle to the shaft.
Wear and eventual failure of the gearbox and its components will occur over time, necessitating Gearbox repairs. In that event the causes of failure can be determined by skilled technicians through inspection and analysis of parts. Those damaged parts may be repaired or refurbished. If needed they will be replace with fabricated or manufactured parts. This unit should work exactly the same as a new one, or with some adjustments, possibly with extended life or improved performance.
This part, sometimes called a reducer, is used wherever a machine is required to run at a different output speed than the drive or engine speed. Differences in gear ratios result in changed speed and torque.
A meshing of the rotating input or drive gear with a larger output gear, with more teeth, will slow the rotational speed. Torque can also be increased in this way, producing a mechanical advantage. Automobiles are applications where this is observed. The engine, in order to run smoothly, produces many times the number of rotations in a minute as can be used by the wheels.
Other applications, like some larger wind turbines, have the opposite requirement. Design and structural requirements necessitate that the turbine's blades turn at much slower speeds than the several thousands of revolutions per minute the generators require to produce electricity. The gearbox here increases the speed.
The transmission device can be quite complex, with multiple choices of output speeds supplied by gears of several different sizes. An automobile transmission is an example of this. When the car is first put into motion the engine's rotational power must be slowed considerably and the torque or mechanical advantage increased, so that inertia may be overcome. A larger output gear will accomplish this.
As the vehicle begins to travel at more speed and momentum increases, less torque is needed and more speed desired. Using successively smaller output gears results in faster rotation of the wheels. For high cruising speeds an overdrive gear may be available.
When steep hills are encountered the increase in gravitational force that needs to be overcome slows the vehicle. Now it becomes necessary to gear down once again to produce the torque required to carry the car over the hill. Trucks carrying heavy loads or towing have the same demands. When these same trucks are also climbing hills they have need of gearing with much different ratios than economy, or cruising vehicles.
A change of rotational angle or direction is necessary with some applications. The helicopter rotor is an prime example of this. The rotating vertical shaft transmits the engine's energy, but drives a rotor, which turns at a right angle to the shaft.
Wear and eventual failure of the gearbox and its components will occur over time, necessitating Gearbox repairs. In that event the causes of failure can be determined by skilled technicians through inspection and analysis of parts. Those damaged parts may be repaired or refurbished. If needed they will be replace with fabricated or manufactured parts. This unit should work exactly the same as a new one, or with some adjustments, possibly with extended life or improved performance.
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Learn more about the different types of gear reducers and gearbox repairs now in our insider's review on common gearbox problems