Gear motors are a fairly well-established technology. And recently, there is renewed interest in gear motors and the global gear motor market is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period owing to increasing renewable energy generation and requirement of increasing efficiency in the renewable sector. According to the related report, it is projected to reach USD 23.94 Billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2016 to 2021.
But…what is a gear motor indeed?
- Definition
The problem of “what is a gear motor” is equal to “what is a gear reduction motor”. Essentially, a gear motor is a pairing of gear reducer and AC or DC electrical motor. Gear motors are basic in design, using some combination of plastic and/or metal gears. The gear and the motors are combined into one unit which utilizes a type of gear system on the output of the motor. The motor powers the gearbox, turning the box and creating energy. As a packaged set, they work together to increase torque (force) while keeping RPMs (speed) low. Thus, one of their greatest benefits is that they eliminate the need of having a separate gearbox and electric motor. This reduces design complexity and contributes to lowers cost, particularly for motors built for high-torque and low-speed applications. In addition, gearboxes can be used as a means to reorient the output shaft in a different direction.
- Types
There are several ways to divide the types of gear motors. When it comes to this, the planetary gear is the most common type which has gained much popularity. Planetary gears use several gear wheels (commonly three sets of gears with different degrees of freedom) to move the power of the central shaft of the motor similar to planets around the sun. Planetary gear motors perform best when high torque is needed. For further division according to optional material, planetary gears can be divided into plastic gear, powder metallurgy and hardware processing; while according to optional gear profile, they can be divided into helical gears and spur gears.
ZHAOWEI takes pride in its series of planetary gears with brilliant performance and there are optional material, gear profile, diameters, output speed, ratio range and output torque available. The micro planetary gear motors can be combined with encoders and controllers to form micro gear drive systems, which are mainly used in smart home, communication devices, medical technology, robots and consumer electronics, etc.
→ Why Often Use Motors with Planetary Gears?
Why do people often use motors with planetary gears? Here are the reasons:
√ Increased torque transmission: With more teeth in contact, the mechanism is able to transmit and withstand more torque. It operates in a more uniform manner.
√ High precision: Most rotating angular stability improves the accuracy and reliability of the movement.
√ Lower noise: There is more surface contact. Rolling is much softer and jumps are virtually nonexistent.
√ Enhanced efficiency: Planetary reducers offer enhanced efficiency and thanks to its compact design and internal layout losses are minimized during their work.
√ Greater durability: Due to its torsional rigidity and better rolling, the bearings help to reduce the losses that would occur by rubbing the shaft on the box directly. Thus, improved efficiency of the gear and much smoother operation is achieved.
√ Increased repeatability: Its greater speed radial and axial load offer reliability and robustness, minimizing the misalignment of the gear. Besides, uniform transmission and low vibrations at different loads make perfect repeatability possible.
- Applications
Last but not least, what is a gear motor used for is also a vital issue related to what is a gear reduction motor. Generally speaking, gear motors are used in applications that require lower shaft speed and higher torque output. This describes a wide range of applications and scenarios, including many of the machines and equipment we interact with on a daily basis. From automobile window wipers to hospital beds, servo mechanisms to packaging equipment, paint mixers to soap dispensers, gear motors come as a significant role. Major industries include power generation, material handling, food & beverage, metals & mining, cement & aggregates, automotive, construction, chemicals, rubber, plastics, marine, etc.
Conclusion
After knowing what is a gear motor, don’t hesitate to take the time to properly size your gear motor which will help ensure that it will last for years and operate at peak efficiency.
