Right angle gearing
Sir Issac Newton’s First Law of fundamental motion states that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in...
Understanding worms and worm wheels
Worm gear pairs are a common gearing technology. They consist of two components, the first being the worm and the second being the worm...
Making the correct gear rack choice
A simple internet search for the term “racks” returns such items as industrial storage racks, server racks, pipe racks, pallet racks, and clothes racks....
Are gears the greatest thing since sliced bread?
As we roll into the summertime, those of us who live on the Eastern seaboard of the United States look forward to lazy days...
The unsung hero of motion: Demystifying the gearbox
In our modern world, motion is fundamental. From the vehicles that transport us, to the intricate machinery that produces our goods, countless devices rely...
3D printing and additive manufacturing in gearing
If you had the opportunity to walk the SME-sponsored tradeshow RAPID + TCT this past April in Detroit, Michigan, then you saw a tremendous...
Straight-tooth vs. spiral-tooth bevel gearing
Bevel gears are essential components in mechanical power transmission systems, particularly when the requirement is to transfer motion and torque between intersecting shafts. These...
Converting rotary motion into linear motion
When speaking about gears, the most common application is to translate speed and torque via rotation. Some gear systems accomplish this using parallel axes,...
Metric gearing in robotic applications
In the realm of robotics, precision and efficiency are paramount. From intricate surgical procedures to the delicate movements of industrial arms, every component plays...
Noncircular gears, though not common, can play critical role
With the new year begun, many people are making resolutions regarding their health. The desire to “get into shape” is a popular resolution. The...
Left, right, center: Gear orientation matters
For many months, there has been a debate regarding whether the United States would be better run by one of two political parties. Those...
The importance of face width in gear design
Faces come in many shapes and sizes. You might have a round face or maybe an oval-shaped face. You could have a square face...
How much torque can this gear handle?
Someone once asked me if I was trying to reinvent the wheel. I don’t know where that phrase was coined, as the concept of...
A primer on key gearing terms
Regardless of the style of gear that needs to be designed, there are specific criteria that need to be specified in order to manufacture...
Gear rack limitations
Gear racks are a popular gear style. They convert rotational motion into linear motion. Simply speaking, a gear rack is a section of a...
Work in a post-COVID economy
This Tooth Tips column doesn’t deal directly with gears or how they work, but bear with me. What I hope it does is address...
The accuracy of spur gearing
When deciding which spur gear to select for an application, there are several factors to consider. What is the anticipated torque? What is the...
‘I created a CAD drawing of my gear. Now build it.’
In the movie “Field of Dreams,” the character Ray Kinsella is told, “if you built it, he will come.” In engineering, there is a...
Gearing in an AI world
What is intelligence, anyway? It is the ability to acquire knowledge and skills and then apply the knowledge and skills to solve complex problems,...
Evolution of terminology related to tooth distress
Inspection of gears operating in the field requires the proper use of terms describing tooth distress. Written reports by field engineers on occasion have...
