SEW gears and shafts

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　　 In gear manufacturing, a variety of nonferrous alloys, cast irons, powder‑metallurgy materials, and plastics can be employed. However, steels are the most commonly used materials due to their high strength‑to‑weight ratio and low cost. Plastics are typically chosen when cost or weight considerations are critical. When properly designed, plastic gears can replace steel in many applications, as they offer numerous desirable properties, including resistance to contamination, smooth engagement at low speeds, excellent “jumping” performance, and the ability to be manufactured from materials that require no additional lubrication.

　　A gear motor is a compact, integrated device comprising a gear set and an electric motor. In SEW‑EURODRIVE’s power drive technology, it always incorporates an electric motor as well. The concept of the “motor–gearbox combination” dates back to a 1928 patent filed by Albert Obermoser, a design engineer and entrepreneur from Bruchsal, who invented the “Vorlegemotor” (gear motor).

　　Since then, gear motors have undergone further development, and new types of gear mechanisms have been invented. As for motors, DC technology has become less prominent; consequently, gear units are now typically paired with AC motors or servo motors.

　　 How does a gear motor work?

　　The core function of a gear motor is performed by the gear set and its gear stages (gear pairs). These components transmit the motor’s torque from the input to the output. Consequently, the gear set serves as a converter of speed and torque.

　　In most applications, a gear set reduces the motor’s rotational speed while delivering torque far greater than that provided by the motor alone. With this in mind, the design of the gear set determines whether the geared motor is suitable for light, medium, or heavy loads, as well as for short or long duty cycles.

　　We refer to the reduction ratio or gear ratio depending on whether the gear set decreases or increases the input speed from the motor—known as the input speed. The velocity ratio i between the input and output speeds of the gear set serves as the standard for measuring this.

　　Another important measurement for a geared motor is the maximum output torque. This torque, measured in newton-meters (Nm), quantifies the gear motor’s force and the load it can move under that force.

　　 What types of gear motors are there?

　　The main factor in determining the type of a gearmotor is the direction of the gearbox's power flow. In this respect there are three basic designs: parallel-shaft reducers, right-angle reducers, and planetary reducers.

　　 Where are gear motors used?

　　Gear motors have an extremely wide range of applications. Without gear motors, the entire global economy would come to a standstill. In industrial production, they drive countless conveyors, lift and lower loads, and in various systems transport a wide variety of goods from point A to point B.

　　 The following are just a small sample of its applications:

　　In the automotive industry, from the press shop to final assembly, the entire manufacturing process depends on gear motors. The same applies in the beverage industry: gear motors are used to move bottles, packaging units and beverage crates, and to fill containers or sort empty items. Every intralogistics operation relies on drives, whether for storage, sorting or supplying goods.

　　The same applies to airports: without geared motors, nothing would run, and passengers would wait in vain for hours at the baggage claim.

　　Without servo gear motors, high-dynamics, high-precision handling machines and robots would be unimaginable.

　　Last but not least   The point is that in the entertainment industry, there are no longer amusement park rides or similar attractions, and that heart-pounding, fluttery feeling you get on a roller coaster might be unheard of these days.