Peaceful planetaries

Sept. 1, 2009
Planetary gearing offers distinct advantages over parallel gear arrangements, including lower backlash, higher strength and torque, and greater torsional

Planetary gearing offers distinct advantages over parallel gear arrangements, including lower backlash, higher strength and torque, and greater torsional stiffness. Because forces are evenly distributed across several gears, the gearhead delivers greater torque than other designs without sustaining damage.

Highly efficient torque transmission in a compact package makes planetary gearheads suitable for space-constrained applications. However, one disadvantage of traditional planetary arrangements is the potential for noise — especially in the first gear stage where the greatest peripheral speeds occur. Where silence is golden, such as in medical hand tools, traditional planetary designs can be too loud.

A new coaxial-drive planetary gearhead (Koaxdrive KD 32) combines the best of two gearing technologies, worm and planetary, to achieve near-silent operation even at high loads. The hybrid design looks like a typical planetary gearhead on the outside, but uses a worm-shaped motor pinion to drive three offset planetary wheels that interlock with an internal straight gear. Plastic planetary wheels greatly reduce noise levels, as does the use of a worm gearing stage combined with fewer planetary stages.

VITAL STATS

On display: Koaxdrive KD 32 planetary gearhead

Key features: Combines worm and planetary gearing in a hybrid design; 32 mm OD and a coaxial arrangement on drive and output shaft fit tight spaces.

What it means to you: Quiet operation in noise-sensitive applications, such as medical hand tools, security and surveillance, robotics, and aerospace designs for seat and headrest actuation.

What else: Higher torque (6.5 Nm) and lower backlash compared to other designs; remains quiet, even at input speeds to 8,000 rpm; high reduction ratios in one planetary stage.

Innovator: maxon motor, Fall River, Mass.

(508) 677-0520 • www.maxonmotorusa.com

Sponsored Recommendations

Flexible Power and Energy Systems for the Evolving Factory

Aug. 29, 2024
Exploring industrial drives, power supplies, and energy solutions to reduce peak power usage and installation costs, & to promote overall system efficiency

Timber Recanting with SEW-EURODRIVE!

Aug. 29, 2024
SEW-EURODRIVE's VFDs and gearmotors enhance timber resawing by delivering precise, efficient cuts while reducing equipment stress. Upgrade your sawmill to improve safety, yield...

Advancing Automation with Linear Motors and Electric Cylinders

Aug. 28, 2024
With SEW‑EURODRIVE, you get first-class linear motors for applications that require direct translational movement.

Gear Up for the Toughest Jobs!

Aug. 28, 2024
Check out SEW-EURODRIVEs heavy-duty gear units, built to power through mining, cement, and steel challenges with ease!

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!