Application Examples

Torsion was the Culprit: Gearbox Problems and Solutions

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:20-06:00April 25th, 2018|Application Examples|

Backlash, torsion, and transmission error are all gearbox problems that can contribute to lost motion in a drive system that includes mechanical components. But this doesn’t mean you should eliminate these components, as the mechanical advantages of their use are significant. They just need to be monitored, analyzed and controlled. A customer came to us with a gearbox problem that looked to include lost motion as one of the symptoms. This customer produced a line of packaging assembly machines, one series of which put tops on containers. Their typical drive design wasn’t working on a [...]

Reduce Transmission Error Without Servo Systems – A Gearbox Case Study

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:20-06:00April 18th, 2018|Application Examples|

Servo systems aren’t the only solution for precision motion control applications. Other gear products can fit the bill when more traditional drive technology is desired. A Real-World Motion Control Problem We recently had a customer inquire about a solution for a motion control problem he had in his production of precision bellows. The design was a continuous process of feeding a substrate that was systematically folded and then cut off into either standard or custom lengths. His problem was that the material length between folds was inconsistent, which affected the proper compression of the bellow. [...]

Outside The Box

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:20-06:00April 11th, 2018|Application Examples|

Have you ever had special gearbox applications where the standard catalog specs just didn’t fulfill the need? Perhaps you had to run too fast or had too much torque, or just not enough space for either? Catalog data is not always relevant. There are a lot of industrial and commercial gearbox applications, and even more in motion control, where comparing catalog performance data just doesn’t provide the correct solution. Why is this? Well, catalog data cannot be calculated for all the potential applications, duty cycles, speed, temperatures, and environments that a particular gearbox may be [...]

Turning the Tables

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:20-06:00April 9th, 2018|Application Examples|

There are many process and manufacturing operations that consist of multiple steps. In many cases, the process is linear like a progressive punch press or an auto assembly line. But just as often it’s circular, like a bottle filling line or a CNC tool holder. For circular applications, the use of rotary tables is often incorporated. In its standard form, a rotary table is a flat round plate mounted on an axial bearing, which is either driven from a central shaft from below or by a pinion driving a bull gear mounted around the outside [...]

Food Industry Gearboxes: Solutions for Mixers

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:20-06:00March 21st, 2018|Application Examples, Product Focus|

Mixing and agitating applications pose demanding challenges for food industry gearboxes. Not only do speeds and loads vary significantly, but they also operate under harsh environmental conditions. Consequently, high-quality components, robust designs, and specialized protective features are essential. We had a customer approach us with a challenge: they needed a robust industrial mixer gearbox capable of converting food solids into semi-liquids, suitable for products like spreads, cheese dips, ice cream, and pie filling. The requirements included two mixer sizes with capacities of 20 and 50 horsepower, operating at a full motor speed of 1750 rpm. [...]

Hybrids Drive Commuters

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:20-06:00March 7th, 2018|Application Examples|

With energy efficiency, a hot topic, designing hybrid power plants for vehicles is growing in popularity and cost-effectiveness. But the gearing necessary requires special consideration. We had a customer recently request a right-angle spiral bevel gear design that was to be incorporated into a hybrid diesel/electrical power package to drive a bus. Much like a train power supply, this hybrid diesel bus engine was to drive a generator that supplied energy to electric motors that powered the vehicle. Designing a gear system to achieve this presented several challenges. The first challenge is that diesel engines [...]

Two Screws, One Motor, Zero Problems

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:21-06:00February 26th, 2018|Application Examples|

Linear motion for the positioning of tooling, or driving carriages, is a common requirement in automated machinery. Where dual drives are required, precision gearing is critical for positioning performance. In many applications, a single linear device, such as a ball screw or belt drive, can be driven by a single servo motor, which may or may not include a gearhead to gain additional mechanical advantage. But, for larger or wider loads dual screws are often necessary to provide even or balanced forces. While synchronized master/slave servo motor controls could be used to drive each ball [...]

Dual Input Gearbox Provides Dual Output Speed Solution

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:05-06:00February 19th, 2018|Application Examples|

There are a lot of processes that require continuous, smooth running, rotary motion. But sometimes two different speeds are necessary. Inverters or servo gearheads can’t always deal with the differences. In a lot of applications, variable speed can be accomplished with an inverter. By varying the hertz a motor can operate at a relatively wide speed range. However, when running above 60 Hz there is usually a drop off in output torque. And when the hertz drop below 20, in many instances additional cooling is necessary because the fan isn’t turning fast enough. And when [...]

Chicken Breast or Easter Bunnies?

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:06-06:00February 17th, 2018|Application Examples|

While many have visited a fast food restaurant and ordered a chicken sandwich, or that seasonal favorite, the riblet sandwich, they don't look bad, but I don't think anyone really believes they are getting an actual chicken breast or boneless rack of ribs. Or, how about the variety of baked goods formed into unique shapes, and confection products like chocolate bars or ice cream treats produced in specific configurations? To satisfy our quick lifestyle, and our penchant for tasty luxuries, a variety of machinery manufacturers are designing machines to increase the production of these types [...]

To Disclose or Not To Disclose

Jeff Gibbons2025-11-12T20:42:06-06:00January 31st, 2018|Application Examples|

Customers often call saying they need a gearbox but tell us the application is secret. It's understandable that privacy can be a concern. But it's equally important that your supplier really knows what is going on. Many customers feel that they can’t disclose the function or parameters of a new machine design. They are worried that competitors may catch wind of a new development and beat them to the punch before they can get it to market. Unfortunately, it's that secrecy that can actually put the new design at the greatest risk. While torque, power, [...]

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