gearboxes and variations
Many articles state there are six types of gearboxes, Bevel Helical, Coaxial Helical Inline, Helical, Planetary, Skew Bevel Helical, and Worm Reducers. If you contact a gearbox repair shop, they will answer there are three types of gearboxes, concentric, parallel, and right-angle. Which is correct? Here is the answer.
Six Gearbox Variations of Three Gearbox Types
The six types of gearboxes are different variations of the three types of gearboxes. The three types of gearboxes are defined by their mounting configuration. The three types of gearboxes are concentric, parallel, and right-angle gearboxes. All six types of gearboxes will have one of these three mounting configurations. The six types of gearboxes are bevel helical, coaxial helical inline, helical, planetary, skew bevel helical, and worm reducers.
Gearbox Type One: Concentric Gearbox
A concentric gearbox is defined by having the input shaft and output shaft on the same centerline. Concentric gearboxes are also referred to as “in-line” gearboxes. The advantage of a concentric gearbox is the compact design. The concentric gearbox is commonly used in pulp & paper, packaging, food and beverage, and metals industries.
Gearbox Type Two: Parallel Gearbox
A parallel gearbox is defined by having the input shaft and output shafts parallel to each other. A parallel shaft gearbox is also referred to as an “offset parallel” gearbox The advantage of a parallel gearbox is its strength and durability. The parallel gearbox is commonly used in the mining, construction, and oil and gas industries.
Gearbox Type Three: Right-Angle Gearbox
A right-angle gearbox is defined by having the input shaft and output shafts perpendicular to each other. A right-angle gearbox is also referred to as a “90-degree” gearbox. The advantage of a right-angle gearbox is its ability to change the direction of the input shaft by 90 degrees. The right-angle gearbox is commonly used in automotive, mining, and pulp & paper.
The Six Gearbox Variations and Their Applications
Now that we know the three types of gearboxes, let’s explore the six variations and their applications.
Gearbox Variation One: Bevel Helical Gearbox
A bevel helical gearbox is a right-angle gearbox with a bevel set and helical gear set(s). The advantage of a bevel helical gearbox is its quiet operation. The bevel helical gearbox is commonly used in the food and beverage, mining, and material handling industries.
Gearbox Variation Two: Coaxial Helical Inline Gearbox
A coaxial helical inline gearbox is a concentric gearbox with helical gears. The advantage of a coaxial helical inline gearbox is its compact design. The coaxial helical inline gearbox is commonly used in the packaging, food and beverage, metals, mining, and pulp and paper industries.
Gearbox Variation Three: Helical Gearbox
A helical gearbox can be either a concentric or parallel shaft gearbox with helical gears. The advantage of a helical gearbox is its quiet operation. The helical gearbox is commonly used in the automotive, metals, mining, and pulp and paper industries.
Gearbox Variation Four: Planetary Gearbox
A planetary gearbox is normally an in-line gearbox with planetary gears, however, there are options for a right-angle variant that uses a bevel on the input side. The advantage of a planetary gearbox is its power to weight ratio. The planetary gearbox is commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, and mining industries.
Gearbox Variation Five: Skew Bevel Helical Gearbox
A skew bevel helical gearbox is a right-angle gearbox with helical gears. The advantage of a skew bevel helical gearbox is its quiet operation. The skew bevel helical gearbox is commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, and military industries.
Gearbox Variation Six: Worm Reducer Gearbox
A worm reducer gearbox is a right-angle gearbox with a worm and worm gear. The advantage of a worm reducer gearbox is its compact design. The worm reducer gearbox is commonly used in the packaging, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Industries That Use Industrial Gearboxes
Industrial gearboxes are used in a variety of industries. Some of the industries that use industrial gearboxes are:
- Agriculture (Grain & Oil Seed)
- Automotive
- Construction (Cement)
- Energy (Gas, Mining, Oil, Wind Turbines)
- Factories (Manufacturing)
- Food Processing (Sugar to Beverage)
- Marine
- Material Handling
- Mining (Precious metals, ore)
- Municipal (Wastewater)
Common Causes of Gearbox Breakdowns
There are several common causes of gearbox breakdowns. Some of the most common causes of gearbox breakdowns are:
- Excessive vibration
- Lack of lubrication
- Misalignment
- Overloading
- Poor Maintenance including housekeeping
Conclusion
Now that you know the types of industrial gearboxes and their applications, you can make an informed decision about which type of gearbox is right for your needs. If you have any questions about industrial gearboxes, or if you need help troubleshooting a gearbox problem, call a Power Transmission Services specialist today at (302) 378-7925. And remember, proper maintenance is key to preventing gearbox breakdowns.
