What gears should I use in my gearbox?
Although designed to transmit torque and power between rotating shafts, the choices for gearing when designing a gearbox are determined primarily by the orientation...
Perspectives on helical gearing
Perspective is a particular attitude regarding your point of view on a subject. In most cases, the perspective through which you view a subject...
What is the proper term for my toothed wheel
Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go.
This snippet from a holiday classic details how we will travel any...
Are my gears properly centered?
As we settle into the autumn weather, the changing of the seasons brings a sense of calm. The leaves change color, pumpkin spice is...
Rotational vs. linear motion with gearing
Spur gear pairs, helical gear pairs, bevel gear pairs, and worm gear pairs all transfer rotary motion from one shaft to another. In the...
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...
Why is there pi in my gearing?
When I was growing up, there was a phrase that said, “It’s as American as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.” The “it”...
Load, speed, and torque
When I was a child, one piece of equipment that was found on every playground was the merry-go-round. It was a simple device consisting...
Eliminating backlash in worm gear pairs
Gardening is a hobby enjoyed by many. The ability to transform a small piece of land into a beautiful landscape can be both cathartic...
Time for an oil change
When you have to change the oil in your automobile, the specification for the type of oil is clearly detailed in the service manual...
Oil, grease, or dry: What is the best lubricant for my gear train?
Have you ever been driving down the road and the check engine light suddenly comes on? Sometimes the oil service light might come on...
Do opposites really attract?
With Valentine’s Day this month, it is time to celebrate with your partner. Whether you are on your first date with a longtime crush,...
Tolerances in gearing
The linguistic origins of the term “tolerance” define it as the ability to bear pain or hardship. In modern use, there are three commonly...
Unidirectional, bidirectional, and omnidirectional
Have you ever used GPS software to find the best route to get you to a place that you have never been before? If...
Reverse engineering a gear
All of the great literary detectives have that “eureka” moment when the facts they have observed allow them to reach a solid conclusion regarding...
Pitch perfect: Standard over custom eases costs
What is perfect pitch? In music, it is the ability to identify notes without any point of reference. It can be best described as...
Unintended gear failures
At some point in your life, you had the opportunity to meet a set of twins. Maybe they were fraternal twins, or maybe they...
Maximum allowable torque
When participating in a competitive sport, there is a strong desire to maximize the physical output of your body. Whether it is running faster...
When the coronavirus pandemic is over
When we were making our business plans in 2019, the thought of a pandemic was never a consideration. Business leaders and CEOs were looking...
I have a question about your gears!
The concept of using a wheel to redirect motion has been part of the human experience for thousands of years. The simple design of...
