| Selecting the right gear drive ideally brings together the gear manufacturer, the system designer, and the end user. At the outset, a gear manufacturer must know what the drive will be used for, the demands to be placed on it, and the nature of the equipment it will be driving. Similarly, the user and the system designer must be familiar with the variables that affect performance and service. For example, an application that places a torque load on a drive in excess of its rated capacity will inevitably result in tooth surface distress and, in severe cases, breakage. Tooth surfaces that show signs of wear or pitting should be candidates for future preventive maintenance programs. Fracture of a gear tooth will not only put the gear drive out of service, but could possibly do damage to bearings and shafts. A number of parameters enter into the selection of a gear drive, including service factor, drive rating, thermal capacity, speed variation, equivalent horsepower, drive ratio, and physical size. All must be carefully evaluated to make the right decision. |
