Industrial gearboxes are mechanical systems that transfer energy between devices. These systems contain a series of gears that increase torque and reduce speed as they transfer energy from a motor to its load. Using appropriate gearboxes allows facilities to use smaller motors that draw less energy, decreasing production costs while increasing efficiency. Today’s advanced gearboxes are versatile, compact, and efficient, leveraging the latest in speed-control technology to keep processes running smoothly.
Gearboxes for a Range of Industrial Applications
Industrial gearboxes are highly versatile components that can be used in any application requiring speed and torque control. As a result, gearboxes drive industrial processes as varied as material transfer and excavation. Whether used in a simple conveyor belt or an 800-ton construction vehicle, gearboxes ensure motor systems function at their best.
Custom Gearbox Applications
At Superior Gearbox, we offer high-performance, low-maintenance gearboxes to meet any industrial need. Some of the industries we serve include:
- Agriculture. Agricultural gearboxes are part of the kinematic chain of mowers, harvesters, tillers, and similar pieces of equipment. In these settings, a tractor or hydraulic motor typically powers the gearbox, which transmits torque through the system to enable digging, spreading, spraying, or harvesting. A high-performance gearbox helps manage speed over muddy or rocky terrain and ensures that cutting, plowing, and harvesting implements have the appropriate amount of power to function efficiently.
- Material Handling. Material handling equipment ranges from simple conveyors to cranes, lifts, and trucks. Gearboxes drive all of these devices, ensuring the proper speed and power for optimized cycle times.
Landscaping. Landscaping equipment must contend with wet grass, mud, rocks, roots, and inclines, all while providing a smooth and consistent cut. The right gearbox ensures that lawnmowers and similar equipment can maintain the ideal speed and torque for any environmental conditions. - Mining. Mining operations call for heavy-duty equipment that can clear vast swathes of land in a single cycle. At the same time, mining machinery is exposed to highly variable environmental conditions that demand resilient mechanical components. Gearboxes for these applications are sturdy and rugged, calibrated for both precise control and maximal power transmission. This combination of power and precision keeps employees safe without sacrificing performance.
- Construction. Like mining applications, construction applications take place outdoors in unpredictable conditions, and they call for both high power and precise control. Accordingly, construction gearboxes are designed to meet similar constraints, with resilience, reliability, and power output among the top priorities. Because of the mobile nature of construction applications, these gearboxes also feature compact designs with high torque/weight ratios. These components power a full range of construction equipment, including cranes, pavers, compactors, washers, drills, and more.
- Packaging. Packaging applications vary from conveying products to sorting, wrapping, and sealing bags. While most packaging gearboxes are compact and lightweight, they feature varied designs to accommodate diverse motion patterns. The same packaging facility will often require several types of gearboxes to support differences in torque, speed, and direction of movement. For example, different components may be needed to unwind and seal lightweight bags compared to those needed to move and sort heavy products.
Types of Gearboxes for Industrial Use
While all gearboxes rely on the same principles, manufacturers incorporate different gears to match varied torque, speed, and energy requirements. Together, the size and shape of the gears determine the device’s torque and speed output.
The gears used in industrial gearboxes differ primarily in the shape of their teeth, which dictates how the gears lock together. The most common gearboxes include the following:
- Spur Gearboxes. One of the most common types of gears, spur gears are cylindrical components with parallel teeth positioned around their circumference. They are used in various industrial equipment to transfer mechanical motion as well as control torque, power, and speed. Common applications include transmissions, conveyor systems, and more.
- Helical Gearboxes. Helical gears feature angled teeth that allow for smoother, quieter movement than many other gears. The helical shape means that any load is distributed across several axes, reducing wear and allowing helical gearmotors to last longer than other designs. Their efficient load-bearing capabilities make them ideal for high-load, heavy-duty applications, including conveyors, steel mills, paper mills, and material handling.
- Bevel Gearboxes. Beveled gearboxes are unique in that their gears’ mating faces have unequal numbers of teeth. This helps to alter torque and rotational drive, either by decreasing speed and increasing torque or increasing speed and decreasing torque. This type of gearbox is ideal for applications requiring high load capacity with quiet and smooth operation.
- Worm Reduction Gearboxes. Worm reduction gearboxes feature a large-diameter worm wheel and a worm screw. The worm screw meshes with the teeth of the worm wheel, causing the wheel to move similarly. Worm reduction gearboxes are among the most compact and efficient ways of reducing speed, especially between non-intersecting crossed axis shafts.
- Spindle Gearboxes. Spindle gears offer a cost-effective gearbox solution, requiring little maintenance and resisting wear at high torque. Spindle gearboxes are common in medium-duty applications such as mowers, conveyors, and vibratory trenches.
At Superior Gearbox, we offer standard components suitable for virtually any OEM’s needs, including spur, helical, bevel, spindle, and worm reduction gearboxes. We also work with clients seeking custom products, whether they require modifications to an existing product or a completely new solution.
Benefits and Features of Gearboxes
Whether used to control an excavator’s speed or route fill in a packaging facility, industrial gearboxes are key to operational efficiency. The right gearbox keeps energy consumption low and power output high, all while minimizing maintenance requirements. In many cases, using gearboxes to manage torque allows facilities to choose fewer and smaller motors, increasing efficiency even further.
Additional benefits of industrial gearboxes include:
- Sturdy construction to withstand high loads and harsh environments
- Compact units with excellent torque/weight ratios
- Precise control over operational processes
The experts at Superior Gearbox Company can help you select the right gearboxes so that you achieve maximum benefit from your investment.
Superior Gearbox Meets All Your Gearbox Needs for a Range of Applications
Super Gearbox Company has been a leader in power transmission since 1975, offering innovative components to meet our clients’ ever-evolving needs. Our in-house design, testing, and quality-control processes ensure that OEMs receive the highest-quality components at an affordable price. To learn more about our standard or custom industrial gearbox capabilities, contact us today.