Intech Designs a Low Inertia, Zero-Backlash Gear for a Timing Critical Application
Closter, NJ: When one of our customers introduced a new machine for corrugating paper products, they came to us with a critical dilemma. How could they maintain precise timing between two shafts with corrugating steel teeth to prevent them from smashing into each other. To find a solution, we focused on backlash free, low inertia gear design.
The traditional backlash free gear design consists of two gears, typically spur gears, one split in two halves. Once both gears are installed on the shaft, the two halves of the split gear are rotated manually in opposite directions until both touch the opposite tooth flanks of the wider mating gear, thus eliminating any backlash. The two narrower gears are then fastened together, usually by means of bolts.
The Intech zero-backlash design rests on the same principle of eliminating backlash by engaging the opposing flank of a wider gear with two halves of a split gear. The gears are helical and rather than rotating the narrower gears around their axis, they are being forced apart in an axial direction. This is accomplished by a spring placed axially between the split gears, and cylindrical guiding pins, securely anchored in the metal core of one of the narrower gears fitting into the counter bores machined into the all plastic second half of the split gear. The spring force pushes the gears apart and the pins force the gear to move axially, preventing any rotation.
The principle is simple. One half of the split gear engages the wide gear on the load carrying flank, the front flank, and the other half, being guided by the pins to move axially, will be brought to a stop by the rear flank of the second tooth "blocking" the axial movement with the helix angle. For the preload of the split gear in opposing directions we are relying on the elasticity of the Power-Core material. When pressed against the helical flank of the wider gear, the tooth of the narrower gear will deform slightly to allow engagement along the full length of the flank. Both halves of the split gear, as well as the spring load, are calculated to develop enough preload to carry the entire torque with enough safety to guarantee a backlash free mesh even during an emergency stop. Intech uses proprietary software to calculate expected gear life.
For installation, and for gear hobbing prior to that, the two halves of the split gear are fastened together with the provided bolts, forming a perfect helical gear. This gear is then installed on the shaft and meshed with the wider helical gear. The gear half of the split gear with the metal hub, is attached to the shaft e.g. by means of a key way and a key. Once the installation of all gears is complete the fastening bolts are removed and the spring does the rest. With this design, the backlash adjustment is "automatic" as the spring pressure is permanent, and there is no need for manual readjustment when a tooth wear occurs.
By designing all gears in the gear train with the Intech Power-Core(TM) we reduced inertia in the drive by 65%.
Intech Corporation was founded in 1983 by Georg Bartosch. We specialize in the design and manufacture of self-lubricating plastic gears, rollers, and cam followers made of non-hygroscopic Intech Power-Core(TM) material. Each application is analyzed for durability and extended wear life using proprietary engineering calculations. We help customers reduce costs by running maintenance free motion components at higher speeds, with less down time, no lubrication, and requiring less energy. Low inertia, reduced friction, noise, vibration, contamination, and generally smoother running machines all contribute to lowering the impact of manufacturing on the environment and contributing to customers' efforts to reach sustainable processes.
For more information, please contact Mr. Georg Bartosch: Intech Corporation; 250 Herbert Avenue; Closter, NJ 07624; Tel: (201) 767-8066; www.IntechPower.com.
