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Author Archives: Samantha Mayer

  1. Worm Gears vs. Bevel Gears: What’s The Difference?

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    Understanding the differences between gear types is critical for achieving the necessary power transmission in mechanical applications. There are a lot of  factors to consider when picking a suitable gear  for your parts,  such as precision grade standard, proportions, permitted efficiency and engine power, need for heat treating and teeth grinding, and more. But first, what is a gear?

    A gear is a machine element with teeth that are cone-shaped or cut around cylindrically with equal spacing. By meshing two of these components, they can transmit forces and rotations from the main shaft to the driven shaft. Gears come in various shapes and sizes, such as spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, worm gears, gear racks, etc. These gears can be categorized based on the orientation of their axes, such as parallel shafts, intersecting shafts, and non-intersecting shafts.

    This article focuses on two well known gears – worm gear and bevel gear.Let’s know their differences in terms of benefits, downsides, and applications. In order to fully comprehend how they differ, let us first define what those two gears are.

    What Is A Worm Gear?

    A worm gear, also known as a worm drive, is a gear structure consisting of a shaft with a spiral thread, or a (screw that looks like a worm) that engages with the drives a toothed wheel or the worm wheel. Worm gears are commonly used when significant speed reductions are required. The manufacturer can adjust the rotational speed of a worm gear configuration, which is ultimately determined by the number of threads or starts and teeth on the gearbox.

    Worm gears use a sliding effect to transmit movement force at right angles. It changes the rotational movement by 90° and the plane of movement also changes due to the position of the wheel. Frequently, the two components are made of different materials, typically a steel worm and a brass wheel.

    What is a Bevel Gear?

    Bevel gears have tooth-bearing faces that are conically shaped, and the axes of the two shafts intersect. They are typically mounted on shafts 90° apart, but they can also be designed to work at other angles.

    Bevel gear units have two main components: the pinion and the gear, which transform right-angle movements. It makes use of angular gear teeth. Several teeth make contact simultaneously, and the entire tooth width of the interlocking teeth transmits force as the gears turn.

    Pros & Cons: Worm Gears vs. Bevel Gears

    The following are the advantages and disadvantages of using worm gears and bevel gears units:

    Advantages Of Worm Gears

    • Worm gears are used when a high gear ratio is required.
    • A worm gear unit’s highest ratio is approximately 100:1.
    • Because of the high self-locking based on the sliding result of the worm shaft, an extra brake is either unnecessary or only necessary to set a less expensive, small brake. However, this feature depends on the friction angle and the inclination angle.
    • Worm gears are typically more favorable than bevel gears, especially in industrial applications.

    Disadvantages Of Worm Gears

    • The sliding contact of the gears causes significant friction, resulting in an extremely high operating temperature and low efficiency.
    • The worm wheel, mostly made of bronze, wears out quickly.

    Advantages Of Bevel Gears

    • Operating noise is low.
    • It has a higher torque capacity when compared to worm gears of the same size.
    • It has high efficiency
    • A hollow shaft is possible.

    Disadvantages Of Bevel Gears

    • Bevel gears are significantly more expensive than worm gears.
    • Bevel gears are produced in pairs. In case of maintenance and repair, you must replace both gears.
    • They need to be positioned precisely to achieve high efficiency
    • Their translation range is limited, with a maximum ratio of 6:1 per bevel gear set.
    • Not advisable to use for high-speed reduction because they make noise at high speeds.

    Applications: Worm Gears vs. Bevel Gears

    Both gears are used in various applications, but they specialize in different areas.

    Worm Gears Applications

    Worm gears are used in many applications requiring low speed and relatively high power amplification. They can be found in everyday household items as well as heavy machinery. Worm gears have numerous advantages over other modes of transmission, especially when speed reduction is required. Here are a few examples of products and appliances that use worm gears:

    • Tuning instruments
    • Lifts and elevators
    • Cranes
    • Mining industry machines
    • Small engines
    • Rolling mills
    • Automatic security gates
    • Conveyors

    Bevel Gears Applications

    Bevel gears are typically used in mechanical settings since they can transfer energy from linear to sheer power. The following are some examples of items and products that used bevel gears:

    • Hand drills
    • Automobiles
    • Printing presses
    • Marine applications
    • Power plants
    • Steel plants
    • Cooling towers
    • Railway track inspection machines

    High-Quality Engineered Gear Products By Superior Gearbox Company

    Worm gears are one of the most common and cost-effective methods of reducing rotational speed, and they are used in a wide range of simple and complex mechanisms. Meanwhile, bevel gears are power transmission components used to reverse the direction of shaft rotation, reduce speed, and increase torque between non-parallel rotating shafts. To achieve the precision required, you must find a company that can accommodate your specifications.

    Superior Gearbox Company custom-designs  high-quality gear drives and gear boxes that meet even the most stringent clients’ requirements for various industries and applications for over 45 years. From high performance manufactured bevel gear drives, worm speed reducers, helical gear motors, and other gearbox components, you can count on our team to deliver only the superior output for the product you need when you need it.

    Our outstanding engineering and design, sourcing, turning, machining, assembly and testing capabilities as well as our excellent customer service and tight teamwork, can ensure that we can find you the best solutions for you gearbox or gear drive needs for any application.

    To know more about our superior capabilities, feel free to contact us, or request for a quote for your upcoming project!

  2. Choosing the Right Gearbox Lubricant

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    Most individuals rely heavily on maintenance manuals and qualified product lists (QPLs) to determine the best lubricant. However, this strategy does not constantly deliver optimal lubrication for a specific gear system or maximum productivity in oil inventory management. It doesn’t help either that some OEMs only provide general specifications without particularizing operating temperatures, forcing you to choose one. Therefore, to select the suitable gearbox lubricant, you must first understand how they differ.

    This article will discuss the factors to consider when selecting a lubricant, including its three basic types.

    Factors To Consider in Lubricant Selection

    Aside from choosing a gearbox lubricant from the maintenance manuals, there are several factors to consider. Here are a few examples:

    Function

    Lubricants serve a variety of purposes, including stabilizing the following:

    • Friction: Reduction of heat and energy consumption
    • Wear: Lessening of mechanical and corrosive wear
    • Corrosion: Protection of surfaces from corrosive substances
    • Contamination: Transportation of particles and contaminants to filtration and separation systems
    • Temperature: Absorption and transfer of heat

    You must first understand your application’s specific challenges, then choose the lubricant accordingly. For example, determine whether it will be constantly subjected to environmental conditions, such as high pressure, low temperature, and exposure to saltwater.

    Ingredients

    Lubricants may not appear to contain many ingredients, but there are multiple additions to the base oil that are carefully chosen, depending on how and where users will apply them.

    Greases are oils with additional thickeners composed of fibrous particles that act as sponges to retain the oil and increase its viscosity. Moreover, each type of thickener has distinct advantages and disadvantages, like shear stability, permeability, and water and heat resistance.

    Terminologies

    You must recognize and understand the terms used to make the best lubrication selection. The following are words you might encounter:

    • Viscosity: This characterizes how thick or resistant the oil or grease is to flow. Greater viscosity equals more excellent flow resistance.
    • Kinematic viscosity: This refers to a fluid’s internal resistance to flow under gravitational forces.
    • Weight: This pertains to how viscous an oil is or how it flows at a given temperature.
    • NLGI consistency: This indicates the hardness and softness of grease. The numbers usually range from 000 (like cooking oil) to 6 (like cheddar cheese).
    • Runout: This points to the ability of grease or oil to withstand higher temperatures, which generally makes lubricants less viscous.
    • Shear stability: This characterizes the oil’s resistance to an adjustment in viscosity triggered by mechanical stress.
    • Metal on metal: This refers to a circumstance when no lubricant is left in a bearing or other application.

    Ease of Use

    The specific equipment determines a gearbox lubricant’s method of application. For instance, an aerosol lubricant is enough for a simple hinge, whereas an accessible gearbox can be easily greased by hand.

    On the other hand, automatic dispensers are recommended for complex or difficult-to-reach locations and must only be refilled every six months. Meanwhile, a continuous dispenser may be the best option for chains that require regular lubrication.

    Longevity

    Gearbox lubricants have a limited lifespan and must be replaced when it expires. Failure to do so can lead to runout, metal-on-metal contact, ruined bearings, and other problems that cause downtime and increased costs. Furthermore, monitoring the thermal performance of your equipment is a crucial way to track the lubricant’s lifespan. For example, oils are destroyed by excessive heat; therefore, it is recommended to perform heat tracking with digital calibration tools for thermal imaging and vibration analysis.

    Lastly, consider knowing more about predictive maintenance (PdM). This scheduling trend is proving to be highly effective at saving costs significantly while keeping equipment operating at peak performance levels.

    Cost

    Some lubricants are more expensive than others, but this is because they have different ingredients and serve varying functions. Don’t just look at the container’s price tag to determine the lubricant’s actual cost. Instead, compare that figure to the cost of downtime or replacement, product loss due to halted production or contamination, labor hours, and other considerations that may be an issue for you.

    Types of Gearbox Lubricant

    While there are numerous variations, the types of lubricating oil used in gearboxes are generally categorized into R&O, anti-scuff, and compounded.

    R&O

    Rust and oxidation-inhibited (R&O) gear lubricants do not have anti-scuffing and lubricity additives, making them suitable for applications requiring chemical stability, corrosion prevention, and foam suppression.

    Anti-Scuff

    Anti-scuff gear lubricants contain special additives that improve film strength or load-carrying capacity. Heavy loads, slow speeds, and shock loading are machine conditions that necessitate using these lubricants.

    Compounded

    The compounded gear lubricant is combined with a synthetic fatty acid to improve lubricity and film strength. The most common use for this type is worm gear applications.

    Choose Superior Gearbox Company for Exceptional Gear Products

    For over 45 years, Superior Gearbox Company has customized high-quality gear products that fulfill our customers’ requirements for various applications and industries. Our excellent engineering and design, sourcing, turning, machining, assembly, testing capabilities, and top-notch customer service guarantee that we can find the best solutions for your needs.

    Contact us to learn more about our superior capabilities, or request a quote now!

  3. The Role of an Industrial Gearbox

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    An industrial gearbox is an enclosed system where mechanical energy is transferred from one device to a driving tool to increase torque and reduce speed. A gearbox is made of several components that work cohesively to complete a variety of industrial tasks that require high power delivery from the power source.

    Industrial gearboxes are used in countless applications. They can be found in most material handling equipment, crushers, conveyors, cooling towers, and cranes. The manufacturing industry utilizes gearboxes throughout the production process, especially when processing raw materials.

    The most common types of gearboxes are helical gearboxes, helical-worm gearboxes, helical-bevel gearboxes, planetary gearboxes, and worm reduction gearboxes. This article will cover the basics of industrial gearboxes, including their importance and benefits.

    The Importance Of An Industrial Gearbox

    An industrial gearbox is a critical component in countless machines that are used in nearly every industry. Any device that needs to modify torque or speed likely has a gearbox of some kind. Without them, many devices will not function as efficiently. While industrial gearboxes do require maintenance considerations, they also maximize productivity and can minimize workplace accidents.

    Recent technological advancements have made gearboxes, specifically industrial gearboxes, more powerful and affordable than ever before. They are typically used to monitor the direction of rotation and convert torque or power to the desired output. Industrial gearboxes are also quite reliable, making them a common component in modern gate drives.

    Industrial gearboxes are highly customizable, making them well suited for just about any application. Specifications can allow a gearbox to handle various speeds and torque outputs. They can be designed in a way that can maximize speed or torque.

    Industrial Gearbox Benefits

    Industrial gearboxes are a great way to improve a company’s operational capacity. For industrial businesses, gearboxes are an essential component for creating products while also aiding in the maintenance of other systems. Industrial gearboxes can be used to multiply torque, reduce speed, and match inertia. Other benefits include:

    Torque Multiplication

    When mounted to the motor output shaft, gearboxes can provide a mechanical advantage. The number of gears, as well as how many teeth they have, will provide a mechanical advantage defined by a ratio. For example, a 5:1 gearbox can multiply torque by five times, allowing a motor that generated 100 lb-in. of torque to multiply the output to 500 lb-in.

    Speed Reduction

    In some circles, gearboxes are called gear reducers because they decrease the output speed. A motor that is running at 1,000 rpm that is fitted with a 5:1 ratio gearbox will output 200 rpm. The speed reduction improves overall system performance, given that many motors don’t operate efficiently at low RPMs.

    Inertia Matching

    In the past two decades, servomotor manufacturers introduced a series of improvements such as lighter materials, denser copper windings, and high-energy magnets specifically for motors that generate more torque for their given frame size.

    If load inertia significantly exceeds that of the motor, it can cause increased settling times or excessive overshoot. Both problems decrease production line output. Conversely, a motor too large for its intended application is more expensive and requires more power to accelerate its inertia.

    In these scenarios, an industrial gearbox can help balance the motor inertia to load inertia, creating a more responsive system. The motor encounters reflected inertia equal to load inertia when divided by the square of the gearbox ratio.

    Cost Savings

    All of these factors (torque manipulation, speed reduction, and inertia matching) cut costs. Industrial gearboxes enable the use of smaller motors and drives.

    Superior Gearbox Industrial Gearbox Offerings

    Superior Gearbox has been the trusted name for industrial gearboxes for over 45 years. We have expertise in speed control technologies, including a variety of manufactured helical gear motors, worm speed reducers, and bevel gear drives. Regardless of your production size or complexity, we are the company to talk to when it comes to industrial gearboxes.

    We offer:

    • Low Input Speed Worm Gear Reducers
    • Helical Gearmotors
    • Bevel Gear Drives
    • Industrial Worm Gear Drives
    • Custom Gear Drive Solutions
    • Agricultural Gearboxes

    Our methodology utilizes the latest engineering software in the industrial gearbox sector. To learn more about how we can help your business, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

  4. Types of Industrial Gearboxes

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    Industrial gearboxes are embedded systems that deliver mechanical energy to an output device. They modify the torque, speed, and rate of rotation to convert energy into a compatible format. Industrial gearboxes are designed to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, at great speeds for prolonged periods.

    The majority of an industrial gearbox is made of brass, aluminum, or iron and while its primary objective is to increase torque, they also lessen the original mover shaft’s activity. This means the output device rotates at a slower speed, which increases the torque. There are several types of industrial gearboxes to choose from, as well as customized options. This blog will discuss the primary types of industrial gearboxes as well as the solutions available from Superior Gearbox. 

    What Are the Different Types of Industrial Gearboxes?

    Industrial gearboxes are used throughout many industries, and there are a variety of types available to meet these diverse needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most widely-used industrial gearboxes. 

    Worm Gears

    Industrial Worm Gear Reducer

    Worm gearboxes perform heavy-duty functions. They are compact and have a high load capacity while also being the smoothest and quietest gear system available. Worm gearboxes feature a large diameter screw that aligns the teeth in a machine’s periphery. Other key characteristics of worm gears include:

    • They provide precision linear bearings and reduced noise levels
    • They offer high ratio speed reduction and can be used to increase torque
    • They are frequently used in smaller spaces and when large gear refinements are required

    Helical Gears

    Helical gearboxes feature teeth cut to a fixed angle to provide the greatest grind power when it turns in the same direction. They can transmit motion and power between right-angle or parallel shafts. They are smaller in size than other industrial gearbox options, use less power, and are frequently used in high-power and high-load applications. Some common applications for helical gears include rubber and cement production as well as other manufacturing applications. They are also used in low-power applications, such as grinders, coolers, and conveyors. Helical gears provide several unique benefits, such as:

    • High efficiency 
    • Low oscillation with less noise
    • Reliable meshing performance
    • Stable transmission

    Bevel Gears

    Known as power transmission mechanical components, bevel gears are primarily used to adjust shaft rotational direction. They reduce speed while raising torque in non-parallel rotating shafts. Bevel gears feature curved teeth positioned along cone-shaped surfaces that are adjacent to the rim of the unit. They accommodate rotary motions between irregular shafts and are necessary to many industries, including aeronautics, pharmaceuticals, mining, textiles, and more. 

    Key advantages of bevel gears include:

    • Space-saving
    • Able to transmit great amounts of power efficiently
    • Reduced risk of slippage

    Spur Gears

    Known for their cylindrical pitch surfaces, spur gears reliably convey power and movement from one shaft to another. Featuring teeth that fit parallel to the shaft, they have no thrust load and can improve machinery’s running speed while increasing torque. They are commonly used in industrial applications that include speed reducers, gear pumps, conveyor systems, transmissions, motors, mechanical transportation systems, and more. 

    In industrial applications, spur gears provide several advantages, such as:

    • They work well in limited space environments
    • They are well suited for driving systems as they transmit greater power efficiently 
    • They don’t have any slippage
    • They offer a wide spectrum of transmission proportions as well as excellent performance and secure processing

    Custom Gearboxes

    custom gearbox

    While standard gearboxes can meet the requirements of most mechanical OEM applications, developing a custom-designed gearbox provides many unique performance advantages. Whether your needs are related to size, materials, speed, or low backlash requirements, customization allows for every specification to be met. Developing a custom industrial gearbox solution also allows OEMs to be involved in the entire process from design to production. 

    Custom gearboxes are ideally suited for equipment featuring unique torque requirements, or to replicate outdated or discontinued components. Since they are tailored to address the needs of even high-performance applications, they easily integrate into existing equipment. Working with a custom gearbox manufacturer like Superior Gearbox provides you with a component fabricated to meet all of your precise needs. 

    Industrial Gearboxes From Superior Gearbox

    Superior Gearbox has been developing market and customer-specific industrial gear drives for over 30 years. In addition to our diverse standard product line, we also partner with customers during the design process to develop specialty products tailored to application-specific needs. Whether a job requires modifying an existing product, reverse engineering, or developing a new design from scratch, our knowledge and experience enable us to deliver perfectly crafted final products. 

    In addition to all of the standard gearboxes mentioned above, Superior Gearbox offers several other product line options. We provide customized industrial gearboxes with each element tailored to meet the needs of even the most challenging power transmission application. Our custom solutions are developed according to your timeline and budget.

    Superior Gearbox: For All Your Industrial Gearbox Needs

    There are many varieties of industrial gearboxes to choose from, and depending on the needs of your application, developing a customized solution may be the best solution. Superior Gearbox carries all types of standard gearboxes and can also modify any product to meet your exact requirements. To get in touch with an expert about our solutions, contact us today.

  5. Stainless Steel Gear Drives for Sanitary Food Processing

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    A variety of manufacturing and conveying systems help with the production, packaging, and delivery of products in the food and beverage industry.  To ensure this equipment functions properly, these systems require reliable components to facilitate consistent efficiency across the production line.  One of these components is a stainless-steel gear drive. 

    stainless steel gear drive

    Choosing a gear reducer that provides unmatched performance while also being able to endure the severe chemicals and high-pressure washdown requirements found in the food or beverage industry can be difficult. Understanding the additional features now available in washdown-capable gear reducers made from stainless steel components will assist you in choosing the most durable option.

    In this post, we will cover what stainless steel gearboxes are, along with the benefits they offer for a range of sanitary food processing applications, to include applications in other industries that require sterile manufacturing environments.  

    What Is a Stainless-Steel Gearbox?

    Food processing as well as other applications use stainless steel gearboxes when they need to meet strict corrosion and hygiene protection requirements.  For instance, environments with high levels of humidity or seawater exposure often use stainless steel gear drives to prevent corrosion.  Beyond that, applications in the food and beverage industry use these components because their smooth surface is easy to clean and won’t trap moisture, particles, or bacteria, making them suitable for environments where strict hygiene requirements require daily washdown.  

    Washdown cleaning destroys typical gear reducers, from the use of high-temperature and high-pressure water jets, corrosive salt water, caustic and acidic chemicals, or chlorine-based sanitizers typically used in the meat, dairy, and ready-to-eat product manufacturing.  Chlorine is especially hard on aluminum, causing a whitish-colored rust.  In applications that require infrequent washing and sterilization, treated aluminum and cast-iron work well. However, stainless steel is the best choice for your application if components require frequent high-pressure washing and sterilization. Regular washdown cleaning of cast iron and aluminum coatings will eventually separate, creating areas where the water and chemicals used during the cleaning process become trapped and contact unprotected material.

    Our stainless-steel gearboxes are entirely constructed from stainless steel.  Each unit is sealed and leak-proof to operate safely and reliably in wet, hostile, or sterile environments, so you have the maximum performance while maintaining a high level of sanitation. Many of our competitors utilize a plated or coated housing with some stainless internal components, but this is not a true all-purpose washdown gear reducer. It might be corrosion resistant to a point, but an all-stainless box is foolproof.

    Benefits of Stainless-Steel Gear Drives for Sanitary Food Processing

    Stainless steel gearboxes come with multiple advantages that make them ideal for sanitary food processing equipment.  The food and beverage industry relies on a variety of systems to enable sufficient speed, item transfer, and completion of the product cycle at large.

    To meet this industry’s specific needs, gear drives for sanitary food processing offer the following benefits:

    • The ability to support both dry and wet manufacturing environments
    • No fear of rust or paint chips entering the food production process
    • Eliminates the possibility of rust creating a hiding place for bacteria
    • Requires no repainting or other aesthetic maintenance
    • Does not attract unwanted USDA scrutiny
    • Consistently reliable service for many years due to high wear resistance
    • Designs that meet your unique application around torque, speed, load, and other factors
    • The integration of gear reducers for minimized power losses and reduced equipment maintenance costs resulting from corrosion or failure
    • Stainless steel gearboxes eliminate any exterior corrosion

    Food Processing Gearbox Applications 

    With increased automation in food processing comes higher hygiene requirements.  To meet these requirements, gearboxes must feature designs that can hold up to regular thorough cleaning cycles if they make contact with food items.  Stainless steel gearboxes offer superior corrosion resistance and the smooth cleaning surfaces needed to maintain a hygienic environment.   

    Some of the many food processing applications for gearboxes include:

    • Poultry Processing 
    • Brewery Bottling
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Washdown Dough Mixer
    • General Food Processing
    • Labeling Machinery
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Palletizers
    • Shrink Wrapping
    • Decappers
    • Washers
    • Blenders
    • Grinders
    • Granulators
    • Agitators
    • Filler Equipment
    • Fillers
    • Raw Material Handling
    • Drying and Cooking Lines
    • Cleaning 
    • Sterilizing
    • Drying Bottle Washer Machine
    • Stackers
    • Batching Equipment
    • Loaders and Unloaders
    • Rotary Shakers

    The wide range of applications for washdown motors go beyond the food and beverage industry.  Superior Gearbox Company’s Cleandrive, stainless steel gear reducers, are particularly critical components for use in applications in highly corrosive environments.  Pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and conveyors require systematic cleanliness and sterility for product quality and to prevent cross-contamination. Where motors propel machine-cutting fluids and water-cooling systems in a range of industries or even simulating rain and saltwater spraying in automotive test tunnels, a stainless-steel gear reducer can keep your machinery running. 

    Superior Gearbox Specific Capabilities

    Stainless steel gearboxes help maintain valuable food processing systems and ensure consistently hygienic environments.  However, it is important to locate the right components for your application to get the best results.

    Superior Gearbox Company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, cost-effective gearboxes for use in the food and beverage industry, including food processing applications.  Depending on your specific application and requirements, we offer a wide range of gearbox designs, including helical, spur, bevel, spindle, and worm gear drives.  We also carry a variety of bearings, gears, housings, and shaft materials to customize each component of the gear drive, which provides our customers with the ideal solution for their unique application. 

    Our engineering capabilities enable us to design a gearbox that can meet specific horsepower, power consumption, and torque requirements.  Furthermore, we manufacture gearboxes that offer durable longevity and safety in particularly harsh and hazardous environments.  Based on your individual needs, we will provide you with a gearbox design while keeping your desired timeline and budget in mind.  

    In addition to the food and beverage industry, our gearboxes work with applications in many other industries, including: 

    • Agriculture
    • Poultry
    • Printing
    • Chemical 
    • Oil and gas
    • Cement and concrete
    • Pulp and paper
    • Lawn and garden

    Regardless of our customer’s requirements, we have the resources and expertise needed to meet them.  With over 30 years of experience backing us, we offer some of the best gearbox designs available for nearly any application.  Our engineering team can modify or reverse engineer an existing product or start from scratch to supply you with an entirely original design. 

    To learn more about our capabilities, contact us today and we’ll connect you with one of our representatives.

  6. MODEX 2022 – The Premier Supply Chain Event

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    Stop by and see Superior Gearbox Company at MODEX 2022, booth C5275.

    The largest manufacturing and supply chain event, MODEX, is returning to Atlanta on March 28th and Superior Gearbox will be there! We are excited to not only attend this event, but to also be one of the 800 exhibitors who will be displaying solutions and innovations for the manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and distribution industries.

    Material handling plays a major role in many industries. Superior Gearbox’s wide range of products have been designed with the goal of providing effective material handling with reduced over all cycle time. We are renowned in this industry for supplying products with High Reliability, Long Life, Mounting Flexibility, Robustness and Compactness. These products play a major role in enhancing the performance of material handling. With our wide range of power transmission solutions, we have covered both indoor and outdoor material handling.

    Application

    • Apron Feeder
    • Paddle Feeder
    • Crushers
    • Vibrating Grizzly Screens
    • Vibro feeder
    • Stacker Belt Drive
    • Stacker Luffing Drive
    • Stacker Travel Drive
    • Reclaimer
    • Elevators
    • Pipe conveyors
    • Floor conveyors
    • Belt Conveyors
    • Belt Conveyors
    • Screw conveyors
    • Dribble Feeder
    • Travelling Tripper
    • Movable Shuttle Conveyor
    • Rotary Breaker

    Where can you find Superior Gearbox at MODEX 2022?

    Booth #C5275 – Stop by our booth to meet with a member of the Superior Gearbox Team to learn more about our products and our capabilities.  Make the most of your MODEX 2022 experience!  Plan ahead by setting-up a time to talk with us and keep your day moving along!

    Eric Holmes – National Sales Manager – Superior Gearbox Company – eholmes@superiorgearbox.com

  7. Superior Gearbox Showcases Gear Drives for Meat and Poultry Processing Equipment at the 2022 IPPE.

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    Superior Gearbox Attending IPPE

     

    Superior Gearbox Company is eager to showcase power solutions for the poultry industry at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), January 25-27th in Atlanta. As the world’s largest annual poultry, meat, and feed industry event of its kind, this year’s IPPE will bring together representatives from all over the world including operation and plant managers, purchasing agents, engineers, and researchers from the world’s top feed, meat processing and packing and poultry companies.

    Visit Booth C10856 in C HALL and BC HALL: Meat & Poultry Processing and Packaging at the Georgia World Congress Center to meet with experts from Superior Gearbox Company and learn how our diverse line of drive solutions are helping poultry processing and production facilities improve operational efficiencies.

    Powertrain components are subjected to high pressure, high temperature, and corrosive solutions during washdowns, so the materials and protective coatings they are constructed with, and the physical design of these gear drives are crucial factors in whether they contribute to the problem or are part of the solution. From conveying to pumping to packaging, Superior Gearbox Company’s Cleandrive series is designed for heavy washdown environments where sanitation and safety are critical to the application.

    To schedule a booth meeting, please contact Eric Holmes eholmes@superiorgearbox.com

  8. What Is a Worm Gear?

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    A worm gear, also called a worm drive, is a gear configuration in which a screw or worm meshes with the teeth of a gear. Worm gears are typically used when substantial speed reductions are required. A worm gear configuration enables the rotational speed to be adjusted, which is ultimately determined by the number of starts and teeth on the worm gear.

    ​Applications of Worm Gears

    Worm gears are used in many applications where low speed and a relatively large amplification of power is required. They appear in simple, everyday home devices as well as heavy machinery. Worm gears have many advantages over other transmission methods—especially for applications that require speed reduction.

    Here are just a few examples that show how worm gears are commonly used today:

    Elevators — Worm gears are standard to use in applications that require fast braking or stopping, such as an elevator. In addition to their compact size, worm gears are used in these applications because, in the proper size and ratio, they can stop and hold a load and won’t go in reverse. These properties help ensure that the load cannot free fall, and they help to regulate the elevator’s speed.

    Tuning Instruments — One of the most common uses of a worm gear is the tuning mechanism found on stringed instruments such as guitars, banjos, and violins. Often referred to as a machine head and usually located on the instrument’s headstock, the worm gear allows the user to adjust the strings and lock the gear into place when the desired tightness is achieved. The worm gears used for tuning instruments are unique because they can be used to tighten or loosen the strings, whereas most other types of gears move only in one direction.

    Conveyors — Conveyors are used extensively in industrial applications to move products from one place to another. Worm gearboxes are an economical way to provide the required torque increase and speed reduction required from electric motors to move the products efficiently.

    Automatic Security Gates — Automatic security gates lock when closed and will not run in reverse. Security gates typically use two separate worm drives to open and close a gate. The ability of a worm drive to lock in place ensures that the gate remains in position and cannot be forced or breached.

    Why Use a Worm Gear Speed Reducer?

    Worm gears are commonly used for speed reduction because multiple conventional gear sets are needed to achieve the same effect. Rather than installing more gear sets, worm gears have an increased reduction ratio, which makes them more effective. The ratio increases depending on the number of teeth on the worm gear and how many threads are included on the pinion. Worm gears are also more cost-effective than conventional gears because they have fewer components and a lower risk of mechanical failure.

    Learn How Superior Gearbox Company Can Help Reduce Speed on Your Work Gears

    Worm gears are one of the most common and economical methods available for reducing rotational speed, and they are integral to many mechanisms, both simple and complex. They’re more practical for many applications than conventional gear kits because they require less space and operate quietly. They’re also more mechanically stable and have anti-reversing properties needed for some applications.

    At Superior Gearbox, we have manufactured high-quality gear drives for power transmission systems since 1975. We offer our clients many gear drives designed for various applications and can also create custom designs to meet your specifications.

    To request a quote or learn more about worm gears, contact us today.