The compact design, the low-noise operation, the possibility of high torquee transferred to, the energy efficiency with high efficiencies and much more characterize the planetary gear out. Due to their high torsional rigidity, the arrangement of the Gears also for very good stability. Here we present new developments for industrial applications such as the smooth-running rotary gearboxes from Reccon or the industry 4.0 capable transmission von Wittenstein and various applications. 

Neugart planetary gear PK1

 

Contents

 

Planetary gearboxes 2024 – The most important things in brief

Planetary gears, also known as epicyclic gears, are widely used in everything from the automotive industry to robotics Renewable energies. Current developments focus on improving performance and Energy Efficiencyto meet the increasing demands of modern drive systems. The integration of smart technologies enables more precise control and monitoring of the transmission status, which leads to an extension of the service life and reduction of maintenance costs.

Innovations in the field of MaterialScience is driving the development of lighter, yet robust planetary gears to further increase the overall efficiency of machines and vehicles. Modern developments in manufacturing technology, such as high-precision machining and the use of advanced materials, have made it possible to further reduce tolerances in the manufacture of planetary gears. This leads to an improved fit of the gears and one more higher overall accuracy of the transmission system.

In addition, innovative design approaches and improvements in the Storages a more precise guidance of the moving parts and thus contribute to increasing efficiency and Lifespan at.

Planetary gear innovations

From simple planetary gears to precision gears, we present them below New developments from different manufacturers:

Planetary gearboxes for rotary tables in machine tools

Sep 11.09.2023, XNUMX | The completely newly designed drive for swivel axes from Schaeffler was with one Precision planetary gears PSC implemented with servo motor. The constant torsional backlash of just 0,1 arcmin over the service life makes it possible for the first time to dispense with a second drive for tensioning and eliminating torsional backlash.

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Precision planetary gear with patented toothing

29.04.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | With the precision planetary gear Schaeffler PSC series for Industrial robots have constructuers in comparison to the market standard by an order Factor ten less torsional backlash and a service life extended by a factor of three. Such major leaps in development are very rare.

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High-end planetary gear with extremely smooth running


12.01.2022 | Servotecnica presents the low-backlash and high-quality planetary gears from Reccon. They offer extremely smooth running and are available with a variety of shaft bearings.

The planetary gears are highly precise and contain high-quality bearings, seals, lubricants and paint. The planet carriers have cages, so the Gears do not move or bend axially. The planetary gears have a high level of rigidity, which means that the gears remain well aligned during the acceleration phases and do not bend. With these properties, the planetary gears are suitable for demanding applications such as in conveyors, fast laser cutting, packaging or printing machines and also high-speed delta robots.


Efficient gear wheel perspectives made of high-performance plastic


Six series offer a quick and easy solution for every application: X-treme, Booster and Ultimate are suitable for Racks Racks with high acceleration. Access, Livley and Wiser ensure an optimal price/performance ratio in standard applications. The range includes a large number of sizes with torques from 5 to 2000 Nm and ratios of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and their multiples up to the limit of 100.

The Reckon gears each use the smallest possible helix angle. So they always offer one Gear ratio of two and at the same time reduce the axial forces on the internal elements. This ensures the smoothest possible running and a long service life. Each gearbox is tested before delivery with up to 6000 min-1 tested for noise development if compatible with the maximum permissible speed. 

Powerful planetary gearbox with Industry 4.0 connectivity

25.05.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX | The new planetary gear XP+ High Torque of the Alpha Premium line Wittenstein alpha is currently the one with the highest torque density and torsional rigidity on the market. It offers up to 144% more torque density than the second-best planetary gear of its kind, twice the torsional rigidity, a 2,5-fold improvement in tilting moment and 15% less length for a comparable size or 30% less length for a comparable performance. Also, it's only half the weight. 

The XP+ High Torque made possible by the integrable Sensormodule Cynapse with data evaluation logic and the CommunicationThe IO-Link interface is the future-proof connection to digitized drive axes and machines. Machine tools, packaging systems, handling technology and special machine construction in particular benefit from the performance data mentioned. Applications with frequent changes in direction of rotation, highest positioning and repeat accuracy, shortest cycle times and compact and space-saving design of the Transmission are predestined for use in the high-performance gearbox. The torsional backlash is constantly less than one angular minute over the entire service life.

For integration into digitized machine axes and networked production environments and Predictive Maintenance the transmission can be equipped with a smart Cynapse module. The new gear series will initially start as a coaxial planetary gear in four sizes, five available ratios and three types of output. Further variants are in preparation.

Planetary gear with mounted pinion for rack and pinion drives

22.04.2020 | Neugart expands its planetary gears Series especially for rack and pinion drives with an additional option with a mounted pinion from our own production. Specifically, there are two pinions to choose from for the planetary gear. The PK1 pinion is mounted on the splined output shaft of the gearbox. An internal toothing according to DIN 5480 ensures the necessary connection security.

The PM1 sprocket was made for Transmission developed with flange output shaft. It is equipped with an EN ISO 9409-1 mechanical interface. Both pinions are helical. The PK1 is also straight-toothed. Four different modules with different numbers of teeth are available.

The pinion option is included eight planetary gears Series can be combined. Among the durable and powerful standard gearboxes are a coaxial planetary gearbox with output shaft, PLHE version and with one with output flange, PFHE version from Economy Line. precision line offers the high accuracy of precision gears and contains two coaxial planetary gears each. The PSN and PLN series have an output shaft, the PSFN and PLFN series have an output flange. An angular planetary gear WPLN and WPSFN are also added.

These numerous combination options of pinion and planetary gear types generally enable several solutions. That's how it is Torsional rigidity higher for flange gears than for gearboxes with an output shaft. When focusing on the space the designer can access the short gearbox with output flange or the angular precision gearbox.


Calculate crown gearbox geometrically and in strength


When it comes to precision, the higher accuracy and torsional rigidity of the precision gear come into play. For standard applications, they prove to be Economy-Planetary gears as economically attractive.

Planetary gears for use in driverless transport systems

13.11.2019 | With the newly developed NGV Neugart presents a planetary gear which, with its product features, is specifically tailored to use in driverless transport vehicles (AGVs). The play a central role Warehouse: They are designed and placed in such a way that they allow high radial loads at the output.  

AGVs transport in 24/7 continuous operation high loads – and thus make their own high demands on the design and mechanics. Specifically for the gearboxes used, this means that since the gearbox in AGVs is usually located directly in the wheel, depending on the chassis principle, the entire weight of the vehicle and the load acts directly on the output bearing of the gearbox. The result is high radial loads. In addition, the naturally tight space conditions in the vehicle require a particularly compact, space-saving design of the transmission.

The NGV meets these special requirements with prestressed tapered roller bearing. Due to their structure, these can absorb high forces. The wheel does not have to be supported separately, but the bearings on the output take over the load.


Gear calculation for gears with background graphic


The gearbox mounting flange is positioned so close to the chassis that it can be mounted directly there. Motor and gears can pre-assembled as a unit and installed together. By using a wide variety of motor adapters, almost any drive can be attached. The wheel itself is mounted directly on the flange output shaft from the outside and can therefore be used if required, e.g. B. in case of maintenance, can be exchanged quickly and easily.

Planetary gear with tapered roller bearings for high radial loads

21.10.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX | The new standard gearbox PFHE of the Economy Line from Neugart offers an attractively priced alternative for high-load applications in which high radial loads occur but the accuracy of a precision gear with reduced backlash is not absolutely necessary. The planetary gear has two special, preloaded tapered roller bearings that can absorb high forces despite their compact design.

This allows the new development to tolerate the output radial forces of up to 5100 N as they typically occur in travel drives or in applications with pinions or belt pulleys.

The problem-free connection to the output flange enables a mechanical interface standardized according to EN ISO 9409-1 (without dowel pin hole), via which the gearbox can be integrated particularly easily and quickly. Of the drive flange can be individually adapted to the respective engine.

An Radial shaft seal meets the requirements of protection class IP65 on the output side. Dust or water jets do not impair the functionality, so that the gearbox is also suitable for use in adverse environmental conditions. Thanks to lifetime lubrication, the PFHE works maintenance-free. As a straight-toothed gear, it ensures a high power density.

The PFHE is available in three sizes with a centering collar diameter on the output flange of either 64, 90 or 110 mm and for 1 or 2 stages Gear ratios from i=3 to i=100. It combines the very compact design of the existing PLFE gearbox with a stronger output. The planetary gear is available from lot size 1.

Planetary gears with a long service life and gearing quality

10.10.2018/XNUMX/XNUMX | The new planetary gears from Framo Morat offer high gearing quality, low backlash and a long service life. The G series includes the high-end gearbox series GSD (flange gearbox), GSB (inline) and GSBL (angle gearbox) as well as the high-end economy series GSN and GFE.

 

Planetary gear for roller presses with a large torque range

28.02.2018 | flender expands its portfolio of application-specific gears and launches "Planurex 3 L" for roller presses with the highest power density currently available on the market. The existing product range already included ten sizes with a torque spectrum of up to 5.450.000 Nm. Seven new sizes will now cover the torque range from 480.000 to 1.465.000 Nm.

The new development is an application product that is tailored to the special requirements of roller presses designed, which are mainly used in industrial sectors such as raw material extraction, mining and cement production.

The high power density is achieved through a compact and effective design. In rough continuous operation, roller presses place high demands on the Drive Technology. Planurex 3 gears are specially designed for these high loads and at the same time take into account the design of the systems where they save space. Due to small outer diameters at high performance, minimum roller distances can also be achieved for optimal grinding results. The low weight also allows for easy handling.

The Planurex 3 series for roller press drives offers a harmonious size grading and has a high degree of standardization. This results in short delivery times, for example. There are gearboxes with attachments and options typical of roller presses, such as reinforced bearings, torque arms and oil systems. They can also be equipped with sensors to continuously monitor the condition of the gearbox during operation and to be able to carry out predictive maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

How does the planetary gear work?

The planetary gear, too Planetary gear transmission is a highly efficient transmission system whose structure consists of three main components: sun gear, planet gears and ring gear (ring gear). When the sun gear is driven, it transfers its movement to the planet gears. These roll along the fixed ring gear and rotate around their axes. Through this movement, the planet gears drive the planet carrier, which serves as the output shaft. When the planet carrier is driven and the wheel called the sun is held, the planet gears rotate around the sun gear and drive the ring gear.

 

What are the advantages of a planetary gear?

The gear arrangement enables a compact design and offers high gear ratios. By varying the fixed and driven components, the planetary gearbox can realize different gear ratios, making it very flexible in its application.

How many gears does a planetary gear have?

The number of gears in a planetary gear is not fixed and depends on its construction and application. In automatic transmissions, where planetary gears are often used, one usually finds e.g. B. between four and ten gears.

Where are planetary gears used?

The efficiency and compactness of planetary gears make them ideal for applications where high gear ratios are required in small spaces, such as in automatic transmissions vehicles, in Robotic or in aerospace engineering.

What types of planetary gears are there?

There are several types of planetary gears that differ in their configuration and functionality. The main types are:

  • easy Planetary gear: Consists of a central sun gear, several planet gears that rotate around the sun gear and are mounted in a planet carrier, and a ring gear that surrounds the planet gears.
  • Multiples Planetary Gear: Integrates multiple planetary gear sets in a sequence or nests them together to allow a wider range of gear ratios or a more compact design.
  • differential-Planetary gear: Typically used in vehicle differentials to allow speed differences between the wheels when cornering. It allows the planetary gears to rotate at different speeds while transmitting torque.
  • Wolfrom-Gear: A special form of planetary gear that ensures a very high gear ratio in just one gear stage. A large sun gear and several planetary gears mesh with a relatively small ring gear.

Source: This article is based on information from the following companies: Flender, Framo-Morat, Neugart, Schaeffler, Servotecnica, Wittenstein.

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Author information
Angela Struck

Angela Struck is editor-in-chief of the development scout and freelance journalist as well as managing director of Presse Service Büro GbR in Ried.