Loss of motion from input to output occurs through several mechanisms. As the load increases, torsional stiffness becomes a factor. When measuring a complete torque reversal (say, from fully loaded clockwise to fully loaded counterclockwise) torsional deflection and component settling act in each direction, compounding the lost motion. “Backlash” is traditionally defined as the no-load play between teeth, but the term sometimes includes other factors of motion loss, even the entire range.

Gearheads are usually selected according to manufacturers’ performance ratings, but there are differences in the way some parameters are defined and measured. Many key factors lack standardization, and a gearhead might fall short of the buyer’s expectations although it meets the manufacturer’s criteria. Also, equipment can be overbought, where a grade that seems insufficient can actually fill the requirements.

Since there are various philosophies in industry, it’s worth looking past the numbers and delving into how published ratings and guidelines are derived.

Backlash

The concept of backlash is open to different interpretations. With gearing, a traditional opinion defines backlash as the amount of free play between opposing teeth. This is the angular distance traveled, when switching rotational direction, between the last contact of the teeth until the next contact. It is measured under zero loading.

Another definition of backlash also includes the settling of the bearings and other components in the system.

Finally, “backlash” can mean the entire range of lost motion: the free play between teeth on opposing gears, settling of all components, and torsional deflection around the centers of the shafting – along with distortion of the gearhead housing – under a uniform torque load.

Tolerances and variations in manufacturing can lead to issues such as imperfect concentricity of the gears and associated components. Backlash can therefore occur to varying degrees throughout the rotation. And, as different combinations of gear teeth mesh, the backlash at each point in the rotation can change from cycle to cycle.

Some backlash ratings nevertheless refer to only a single-point measurement, while others average the measurements taken at several positions of rotation. Furthermore, backlash can vary depending on whether rotation is clockwise or counterclockwise; measurements aren’t always taken in both directions. Besides all this, there is often no telling how published numbers were statistically obtained, or whether they’re the most or the least favorable from a sample of physical measurements.

Noise

Noise is a byproduct of operation where equal comparison is difficult. Measuring gearhead noise involves numerous variables that may be handled differently, including load, speed, “newness” of the gearing, the presence of sound-reflective or sound-damping devices in the test chamber, and distance from the gearhead to the sensing instrument.

Furthermore, other sound-emitting devices in the proximity may constructively or destructively interfere with gearhead noise, depending on pitch variations that come with different speeds.

An all-inclusive noise rating method is therefore unlikely, as many applications contain noise-interacting elements. Where noise is a critical factor, it’s sometimes advisable to test several gearheads under your specific operating conditions. A gearhead with a better noise rating may emit sound in a way that reacts adversely to the system and surroundings, while a gearhead that’s louder “on paper” may provide quieter operation in a particular application.

Temperature

Even some of the most straightforward ratings can be misinterpreted. The temperature rating needs to be clearly noted in order to be effective. For instance, it might mean maximum allowable ambient air temperature, or else the upper limit of gearhead surface temperature. (Obviously they’re quite different concepts.) If a 100°C rating is taken as the max surface temperature, when it actually refers to the surrounding air, the gearhead is perceived as having a lower permissible operating temperature than it actually does. Often in such cases, a quick comparison between catalogs doesn’t tell the story.

Torque

Torque ratings are commonly provided across a range of operating speeds. Designating a gearhead often means taking the root mean torque to determine the requirement for a system. Root mean torque is a mathematical method that reduces the torque profile to a single value.

When calculating root mean torque, discrete output torques (at certain points in the cycle) are raised to a power that varies depending on the manufacturer’s preference; the root of that same power is applied to the overall formula. The higher the power, the more the nominal torque is adjusted. Differences in the exponent from one manufacturer to the next are not due to poor specification techniques, nor are they a marketing attempt to skew the numbers. Rather, their unique selection processes usually carry legitimate reasons for picking the value. The following formula shows how root mean torque is basically calculated, with the exponent x variable among manufacturers.

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