RSS Feeds
Planetary Design Lowers Costs
New gearhead products use planetary technology to deliver precision and value
Al Presher, Contributing Editor -- Design News, July 6, 2009
With machine builders focusing on lower costs, gearhead suppliers are maximizing their designs to create value. "With our most recent products, we have been addressing what has become a very price-sensitive market," says Howard Horn, Micron Product Line Manager for Thomson Industries Inc.
Horn says utilizing a planetary design offers opportunities for cost-reduction for the Thomson Micron brand, a major supplier of higher end, helical planetary gearboxes. A helical planetary gearbox has a more complex bearing design and higher precision gearing. Materials selection on the housing and other components also make a big impact on the cost of the product.
Engineers can expect this trend to lower cost, "middle-range" performance products to continue as OEMs try to reduce component costs by as much as 30 percent.
GEARHEADS FOCUS ON COST AND CONVENIENCE
XTRUETM true planetary gearheads from Thomson are available in 40-, 60-, 80-, 120- and 160-mm frame sizes. The new gearheads are specifically engineered to move large loads more easily and quietly with True PlanetaryTM gearing by providing improved load capacity and lower backlash. They deliver precise 13 arc-min operation, with torque capacity up to 876 Nm and ratio availability of 3:1 through 100:1. A tapped face output enables easy, drop-in replacement for similarly configured European gearheads. The Micron flexible RediMountTM mounting system enables the gearhead to be mounted to any motor in three easy steps by simply aligning, mounting and tightening the unit. All XTRUE components are RoHS-compliant (EU Directive 2002/95/EC).
GEARHEAD OFFERS OPTIONAL OUTPUT FACES
Parker's Electromechanical Automation Division has expanded their line of PV115 gearheads. The gearheads offer an assortment of output face options and high radial load and output torque performance. Output face options have the same output face dimensions as Parker Bayside's PX series, Alpha's LP series, Neugart's PLE series and Stober's PE series, as well as standard NEMA output face dimensions. The PV115 also supports larger belt actuators, including Parker's HPLA120 and HLE150. The design achieves high radial loads by using precision taper roller bearings. With high input speeds and efficiency up to 97 percent, PV gearheads are targeting industrial applications such as belts and pulleys, conveyors and production machinery, automotive production and inspection equipment, medical and life science applications, device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and packaging.
PLANETARY GEARBOX FOR BRUSH AND BRUSHLESS DC MOTORS
New G30A planetary gearboxes for Pittman® DC motors offers superior torque, shaft loading capabilities and low audible noise characteristics in a small, lightweight and economical package. Standard diameters measure 1.200 inch for round versions and 1.496 inch for square types. Gearbox lengths range from 0.895 to 1.585 inch and gearboxes weigh from 3.9 to 6.6 oz. The gearboxes can achieve reduction ratios to 46656:1 in 4:1, 5:1 and 6:1 multiples. Maximum load capabilities range from 106 oz-in (0.75 Nm) for one-stage models up to 1,250 oz-in (8.80 Nm) for versions with four stages or greater. Sintered steel planet gears promote torque capacity and reduce audible noise. Single-piece carrier plates with integral planet posts and sun gear can be arranged to achieve a desired reduction ratio.
Gallery »
Planetary Design Lowers Costs
