And Yet it Moves! How Does a Mechanical Gearbox Work?

Movement is a fundamental principle of the universe, essential for the functioning of many systems, both natural and man-made.

Everything moves, nothing stands still: from what moves at great speed to the tiniest elements that nevertheless - even if imperceptibly - move.

This has always been the case, throughout human history.

The Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek analogue computer dating back to the 2nd century BC, is a famous example that used sophisticated gears. It was originally a planetarium, driven by gear wheels: it is believed to be the oldest known mechanical computer.

What do mechanical gearboxes do?

In the mechanical context, gearboxes are devices that reduce the speed of a motor input while increasing the torque transmitted. These components are crucial in many industrial and mechanical applications, where it is necessary to adapt the speed and force of machines to optimise their performance and efficiency. In this sense, gearboxes facilitate the control and management of motion, which is essential for the operation of complex systems.

How do gearboxes work?

Speed reducers are mechanical devices used to reduce the rotational speed of a drive shaft while transmitting motion to another shaft with a lower speed but increased torque. They are widely used in many sectors, in which Riduttori Italia intervenes for their construction, maintenance, revamping and design.

What are the constituent elements of a gearbox?

1. Input and output: The gearbox has an input shaft connected to the power source (such as an electric motor, wind turbines, water wheel, etc.) and an output shaft that transmits the power to the machine or final device. The reducer - in its operation - has the task of reducing the number of revolutions of the output shaft while simultaneously increasing the rotational force - torque - applied to it. In short, slower but with more power.

2. Gears: Inside the gearbox, the speed is reduced by a series of gears. These can be of different types, such as spur, bevel and worm gears. The gears are sized and designed to change the transmission ratio between input and output.

3. Reduction ratio: The reduction ratio is related to the number of teeth in the gears. A gear with fewer teeth meshing with one with more teeth will reduce the number of revolutions will increase the torque.

4. Bearings and housings: Bearings support the shafts and gears, reducing friction and allowing smooth movement. The housing contains all the mechanical elements and protects them from the external environment.

5. Lubrication: Lubrication is essential to reduce wear and heat generated by the movement of the gears. It can be carried out using oil or grease, depending on the type of gearbox and operating conditions.

Our specialisation - Riduttori Italia - is simple in saying and qualified in acting:

designing, building, re-building and maintaining mechanical gearboxes, calibrating all the constituent elements of these particular mechanisms to optimise machine performance and to adapt speed and torque to the specific needs that each customer presents to us.