Spiral Bevel Gearboxes - When Size Matters

With torques up to 4,440Nm, frame sizes up to 350mm, and power ratings up to 267kW, the V-Series is tough enough to handle demanding power transmission applications.   

For miniature mechatronic applications when space is a premium, our L-Series is the best option available on the market. The housings are manufactured from high-strength aluminum which means they are light weight, dissipate heat efficiently, and resist corrosion.       

Learn More About L-Series Miniature Gearboxes

Considerations for Continuous Running Spiral Bevel Gearbox Applications

Spiral bevel gearboxes are often selected for continuous running applications due to their high efficiency ratings up to 96%.  However, in low ratio configurations, the input and output shafts will be running at higher speeds resulting in greater heat generation.  A properly sized gearbox will be able to dissipate the heat effectively and the temperature will stabilize to an acceptable level. 

While there are several factors that impact the gearbox temperature, two important considerations are the input running speed and mounting orientation.  These two criteria will help to determine if minor adjustments can be made to the gearbox during assembly to aid heat dissipation.  Adjustments can be made to the backlash, bearing pre-loads, lubrication (volume/viscosity), and a vent filter or oil cooling system may ultimately be required.  Spiral bevel gearboxes that cannot be adjusted may not be suitable for continuous running applications. 

The chart above graphs the housing temperature of a V-Series gearbox (blue-dash) and a competitive spiral bevel gearbox (red-dotted) of comparable size.  Both gearboxes were 1:1 ratios and tested at a continuous input speed of 1,800 RPM for 2 hours.  Because the V-Series gearbox (blue-dash) was sized and assembled for the continuous application, it was able to dissipate the heat properly allowing the temperature to stabilize to an acceptable value of approximately 80°C.  The competitive spiral bevel gearbox (red-dotted) could not dissipate the heat and the gearbox temperature continued to rise to 140°C before the test was terminated to avoid eventual failure.

To help prevent a spiral bevel gearbox from failing due to overheating, it is important to specify the duty cycle, input running speed, and mounting orientation.  Those criteria are specified in GAM's V-Series type code to help ensure the gearbox is ordered and assembled to best suit each application. 

Size a V-Series Spiral Bevel Gearbox

GAM Spiral Bevel Gearboxes: Dependable by Design

1. Housing: Sturdy cast iron housing (Aluminum in size 35mm and 45mm) - all 6 sides can be used for mounting 

2. Bearings:  Deep groove ball bearings handle axial and radial loading. (Reinforced and taper roller options available)

3. Spiral Bevel Gearing:  Precision cut, hardened, and lapped in pairs for ideal tooth contact. Mathematically precise ratios from 1:1 to 6:1

4. Input:  Available with shaft input or integrated motor adapter and coupling to easily mount to any IEC, NEMA, or servo motor

5. Output:  Solid shaft with key or keyed hollow shaft are standard. (Smooth shaft or shrink disc clamping available)

6. Seals:  Lubricated for life and protected with high quality NBR seals. (Viton® and FPM seals available) 

Carefully engineered and crafted with high quality materials, GAM spiral bevel gearboxes are robust and can handle high shock loads. Since they are maintenance free and lubricated for life, have confidence knowing that they are built to last. Put one onto your machine and forget about it!

Learn More About V-Series Gearboxes

3D Printing
There have been many articles out there lately discussing the ways 3D printing will revolutionize industries and the way we do things like in the article, "How 3D Printing Will Turn Homes Into Mini Factories" by Popular Science.  While the future is very bright and there is definitely enormous potential, the technology is still relatively new to many companies.

Our project engineer sees the potential and recently purchased a 3D printer for his own personal hobbies.  He recently used the printer to make a cool replica of one of our V-Series spiral bevel gearboxes to help show the possible shaft configurations and the direction of their rotation.

 

While these models are fun to play with, they can't transmit any torque or handle any radial loading.  Here are spiral bevel gearboxes that can.

L-Series mini spiral bevel gearbox - Product Spotlight 

When we say "mini" spiral bevel gearboxes...we really mean "mini".  With 35mm and 45mm frame sizes, GAM's L-Series are some of the smallest gearboxes available on the market.

The L-Series features include:

• 11 shaft configurations available
• Housing constructed of high strength and light weight aluminum
• Max output torque up to 16Nm
• Smooth running

Perfect for semi-conductor, pharmaceutical, medical, or other mechatronic applications when performance is required but space is a premium.