Is outside diameter the same as circumference?

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SUMMARY

The outside diameter (OD) of a gear is not the same as its circumference. The OD refers specifically to the diameter at the tips of the gear teeth, while the circumference is calculated as the outside diameter multiplied by Pi (π). Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate gear specifications, which also include other diameters such as pitch diameter and root diameter. For detailed definitions and illustrations, refer to resources like the Wikipedia page on gear nomenclature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic geometric concepts, including diameter and circumference.
  • Familiarity with gear terminology, such as pitch diameter and root diameter.
  • Knowledge of mathematical constants, specifically Pi (π).
  • Ability to interpret technical specifications and diagrams related to gears.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "gear nomenclature" for comprehensive definitions and illustrations.
  • Explore "pitch diameter" and its significance in gear design.
  • Learn about "gear tooth profiles" and their impact on performance.
  • Investigate "circumference calculations" for various geometric shapes.
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, gear designers, and anyone involved in the manufacturing or specification of gears will benefit from this discussion.

bcrary3
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Okay, this might be a stupid question, but I have a sheet with all the formulas to find all kinds of anything you'd need to find about a gear. However I am confused by when it says outside diameter. Is outside diameter the same as circumference?
How do I find outside diameter using either the radius or diameter of the circle?

Thanks!
 
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bcrary3 said:
Okay, this might be a stupid question, but I have a sheet with all the formulas to find all kinds of anything you'd need to find about a gear. However I am confused by when it says outside diameter. Is outside diameter the same as circumference?
How do I find outside diameter using either the radius or diameter of the circle?

Thanks!

There is this really marvelous facility on the Internet called Google Search. You should learn how to use it. I'll bet a Google entry of define "outside diameter" will tell you what you want to know.
 
phinds said:
There is this really marvelous facility on the Internet called Google Search. You should learn how to use it. I'll bet a Google entry of define "outside diameter" will tell you what you want to know.
just as easy to also post the answer to newb Q, and then foster use of Gool or the like.

OP, no, OD is just that, the OD of say diameter of a pipe (the circular cross section after cutting the pipe perpendicular to its radial axis). mostly everything is 3D, thus a tube has a ID due to wall thickness.

Circumferene = 2πr = πd
 
the OP is asking about gears, not pipe.

Gear specifications have several different diameters, since the gear teeth are along the radius. So there's a diameter at the base of the tooth, at the outside edge of the tooth, along the line of action (where the meshing teeth touch) etc. Look at a gear manufacturer's website for a drawing and the definitions for the type of gear you're interested in.

Or try this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_pitch_diameter#Standard_pitch_diameter
 
Last edited:
my bad, didnt see the gear piece.

are they like threading guides, a minor and major diameter, w/ different designation for external vs internal threads (teeth in the case)?
 
The outside diameter of a gear is just the diameter at the tips of the teeth. They specify "outside" in order to differentiate from things like the pitch diameter and the root diameter.
 
Thanks for the help everyone! :D
 

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