A Guide To Choosing A Harmonic Drive Gearbox
In both industrial and commercial machinery, a harmonic drive gearbox is an essential component that must be present. It can transfer rotational power into linear motion, hence enabling machines to move at great speeds with very little effort being exerted. There are many different avenues available for you to pursue to acquire the ideal harmonic drive gearbox for your company; however, why should you go with anyone other than UKHarmonicDrives?
Torque output
The harmonic drive gearbox is physically attached to the machinery that it controls, and for a gearbox to be constructed, it must have the capability of operating the machinery in question. This includes the torque that is created during jams and load shocks, as well as the torque that is necessary to start and accelerate the machinery (which may be significantly more than when it is running at operating speed).
The amount of speed produced
If the application requires a specific speed output, the gearbox must maintain that speed while providing sufficient torque to the driven load. At the same time, it may seem counterintuitive at first, but as rotational speed increases, available torque decreases (due to inevitable friction losses). This makes it imperative that gears are chosen to provide enough torque for maximum speed targets.
The importance of service factors
The service factor of the harmonic drive gearbox system refers to the proportion of the gearbox's rated torque that it can maintain for relatively short amounts of time. If the gearbox is going to be subjected to frequent quick accelerations or periodic load spikes on the output, the service factor needs to be significantly increased. Because gear reducers do not have a cooling fan, the service factor is also determined by the total number of hours that the gear reducer is utilized each day.
Mounting and connecting attributes and qualities
Because the gearbox mounting area has space and profile limits, the size, shape, and arrangement of the gearbox are significant factors to consider when selecting which alternative is suitable. There are several distinct kinds of gears, each of which has its own unique size efficiency. Planetary gear trains are typically the most space-efficient, but spur gears require a far more extensive footprint.
Backlash
Backlash is the amount of error or play in the meshing of the gears in the gearbox. The resulting mechanical shock when starting or stopping a gearbox is called backlash. A small amount of play is desirable for smooth motion, but an excessive amount can cause damage to parts and wear of bearings.
Radial load
Radial load is the force that is placed on the output shaft of the gearbox when it is connected to the driven load in a manner that creates a right angle, such as when a belt pulley or sprocket is used to link the gearbox to the driven load. The radial load rating of a component is typically stated in kilograms per square centimetre and represents the maximum safe operating pressure based on how much metal must be compressed before it breaks. This is done so because the radial load rating is directly proportional to the amount of force required to break the component. The higher the number, the greater the amount of metal that can be utilized for a certain application without causing it to become overloaded.
Transmissions using helical gears
The Helical gearbox is an excellent option to go with if you are looking for a product that is both effective and dependable and that is also capable of managing applications that require a high level of physical strain. This gearbox is well-known for its specialized performance, which enables personnel who operate industrial equipment to achieve higher levels of productivity. In addition to being utilized in transmission systems and motion control units, this gearbox design can also be found in use.
Transmission systems that use planetary gears
The input shaft and output shaft of planetary gearboxes are perfectly aligned with one another. Because of this, a high degree of torque density may be achieved, which facilitates the transfer of the greatest amount of torque in the most compact form. These transmissions create nearly three times the amount of torque that is produced by a conventional gearbox since the torque is distributed across three gears of similar diameters.
Worm reduction gearboxes are the subject of this article
Worm Reduction Gearboxes consist of a huge worm wheel that revolves in a screw-like movement. These gearboxes provide you with the ability to improve the speed reduction between non-intersecting crossing axis shafts. This comes in especially handy for tasks involving things like CNC equipment and 3D printers. Despite this, they are among the least efficient gearboxes that can be purchased, which means that when using worm reduction gearing, careful consideration of the motor selection is essential.
Motors, Lubricant, and Seals all come into consideration
After the unit size and configuration have both been finalized, there are a few more stages that need to be addressed. The majority of manufacturers provide consumers with the choice to have their gearboxes shipped with the lubricant already installed (for most, the default is to ship units empty and let customers fill them on site.) Some manufacturers will propose a second set of seals for applications in which there is a vertical shaft down. These are situations in which the shaft is pointing downward.
The Temperature and Conditions of the Ambient Environment
A particular atmosphere is required for the gearbox to function properly. When determining the size of a gearbox, crucial criteria include the temperature of the surrounding air, the type of fluid being used, and the material used for the seals. The service factor that is applied will need to be increased to account for the higher temperatures. In a similar vein, your machine may need a variable viscosity of lubricant depending on the temperature to continue functioning properly.
If you are interested in purchasing a harmonic drive gearbox, the torque capacity of the product is the very first thing you will want to take into consideration before making a purchase decision. Depending on the requirements of your application, you will also need to choose the configuration of the input and output shafts. When searching for a harmonic drive gearbox, one more factor that should not be ignored is the question of whether or not it can survive extreme environments. Before you make a final decision about which product is ideal for your application, it is important to take into consideration not only the price but also the dimensions and weight of each option.
