Gears all in a line--doesn't seem quite right
Gears all in a line--doesn't seem quite right
(OP)
I'm designing a gear train with multiple reduction stages (10:35 to 10:35 to 10:35 to 10:55). I have some flexibility in where the gears are placed.
My gut tells me it's best not to string the gears such that all the axles are all in a straight line. Any merit to that hunch?
My gut tells me it's best not to string the gears such that all the axles are all in a straight line. Any merit to that hunch?
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RE: Gears all in a line--doesn't seem quite right
Folding the gear meshes into ~a square vs a line makes the box more compact, maybe a little lighter, but more difficult to machine and more difficult to inspect.
If you're not pressed for space, I'd go with all the shafts in a single plane.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Gears all in a line--doesn't seem quite right
Usually I don't have room to make everything straight, so there's no question.
My hunch is based on something I saw in a toy. My kid have a gear set with magnetic bases for making gear trains on metal surfaces (e.g. refrigerators). The seem to jam up more if they're all in a straight line.
RE: Gears all in a line--doesn't seem quite right
If, as in the extant case, you have the ability to move the gearsets around on a plane (cool toy), you have to properly space three axles to get the clearances right when the axles are aligned, whereas you only have to space two axles at a time if you place the gear passes at approximately right angles. Even if you just jam them together with zero clearance, the right angle arrangement allows them to sort of space themselves out a bit where the clearances and runouts add up in a bad way.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Gears all in a line--doesn't seem quite right