Isn’t it amazing how greatly technology has advanced? Not more than two centuries ago, when it was only its beginning, people were still reluctant to machinery, partly because of the costs and the other part because of not knowing how to use it so its presence was still rather insignificant, which isn’t the case today. One can’t talk of modernism and industry by leaving out machines. They are designed to help simplify our lives, finish off tasks more efficiently and faster, and that’s what makes us so dependent on them. There are all sorts of machines the human mind has created; they can be as heavy as the Schramm T-130 drill that saved Chilean miners from a disaster, and compact as a worm gearbox.
A gearbox may not sound like anything special, but the function it’s meant for is not to be overlooked. The many applications worm gear motors are used in, from home to commercial machinery, starting with tuning instruments and winding devices, to gate control mechanisms, packing, cleaning and control machines, balancers, lifts, centrifuges, shears, presses, rolling mills, conveyors and steering mechanisms, shows their immense role in the world of machinery and in order to understand that role, we should delve deeper into their operation. I find that things are always more meaningful when we get to know something more about them. Their function is to transmit power between non-parallel shafts.
This is achieved thanks to the worm and worm gear (also called worm wheel) they consist of, the two driving forces. It’s interesting to note, the power is always transmitted from the worm to the gear as the worm rotates against the gear, and never vice versa. What they are meant to do is convert the low torque power and high speed of the electric motors to high torque power and low speed that machinery requires. This trait, also known as self-locking, along with others such as high velocity ratio, smooth and silent operation, reduction of speed, torque increasing and efficiency of up to 80% make worm gear motors the perfect purchase to make. As much as they are convenient, that doesn’t mean you don’t get to do less monitoring and maintenance; both are crucial for the longevity of gear motors.
Some people aren’t sure about using worm gearboxes because of their ability to produce a great amount of heat, but it’s nothing that can’t be taken care of. The key is in equalising the pressure between the worm gear reducer and the atmosphere either by installing breather valve or by adding a bladder inside the reducer.
