Are you looking for replacements for worn out gears? There might be more to custom gears than you ever realized. Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic, once said that “life is like a ten speed bicycle — most of us have gears we never use.”
One place gears are used is in commercial industry. And once you are using gears, it makes sense to choose gears of great quality, especially when it comes to customized options. Here are several important facts regarding custom made gears that you should keep in mind.
Types of Gears
- Bevel gears have two intersecting shafts in their axis, and conically shaped tooth-bearing faces. Although they can operate at a range of angles, they are most typically mounted on shafts positioned 90 degrees apart.
- Worm gears involve a worm (which is a screw-shaped gear) and a worm wheel (which is fitted to the screw). Worm gears are unique in that the worm can turn the gear, but the gear can’t turn the worm — this makes worm gears useful for conveyer systems that require a locking feature.
- Spur gears are a popular type of gear, and they are cost-efficient while transmitting power and motion. They operate on parallel shafts, and provide a constant drive.
What You Should Look For in High Quality Gears
- Gears have the potential to wear out quickly, hence why cast iron is a popular material choice, as it is more durable than other options. Steel, stainless steel, and bronze are popular for this reason as well.
- Look for gears that are precision machined to close tolerances for the least amount of friction.
One Reason Not to Use Worm Gears
One main reason worm gears are not ideal for every application would be lubrication. Because there is no rolling component to the tooth contact, and the movement between wheel gear and worm is sliding, it can be difficult to lubricate — high viscosity lubricants are usually used, which require more care as they are difficult to filter. For this reason a standard gear will often be used instead.