# Number of gear teeth in two-stage reduction gears

1. Dec 29, 2008

### cabellos6

In a two stage reduction gearbox is it possible to have more teeth on the gear pair (helical-parallel axis) of the 2nd stage? I ran through a specification for gear sizes and Im wondering if this is ok.

2. Dec 29, 2008

### Danger

I can't think of any reason not, as long as everything is matched to the load and speed requirements. Better wait for a more informed opinion, though.

3. Dec 31, 2008

### ank_gl

i might not be understanding your point correctly, but here goes. In 2 stage units, since the distance between the two shafts(assuming the output shaft is in line with the input shaft, & i mean its distance from the counter shaft) is to be minimized, optimum gear ratio for each stage comes out to be the geometric mean of the required gear ratio for the gear box, ie same gear pair ll be used(obviously the pair carrying the higher torque will be thicker). So the number of teeth on both should be equal.

Even if the output shaft isn't in line with input shaft, the same thing should hold.

4. Jan 7, 2009

### Dr.D

The assumption that the input and output shafts are aligned (a reverted train) is an unnecessary design hindrance that can drive the cost up and is not justified except in very special cases where the layout requires this. It is rarely done as a matter of routine.

It is certainly permissible to have a different ratio in one pair versus the other pair; this is the norm. It is important to assure that neither pair involves a pinion with less than the minimum number of teeth to avoid undercutting.

5. Jan 8, 2009

### ank_gl

true. but then the whole designs based on constraints which can vary very much from application to application. since the op didnt specify any constraints, i only assumed a set of constraints.
probably a not so useful assumption, it only messed up in the end.
true again, but the size should be minimized anyways(weight, inertia, space etc). surely undercutting is the deciding factor for minimum number of teeth.

6. Jan 8, 2009

### Dr.D

While it is never good practice to grossly oversize, it is also rarely worthwhile to truly minimize in the strictly mathematical sense. Even in aerospace work, where weight is at a premium, this is almost never done. Instead, people use good sense and use the smallest, lightest parts that are practical without seeking a true minimum.

7. Jan 8, 2009

### ank_gl

how should we go about finding the true minimum Dr.D?(i am not being sarcastic)

8. Jan 8, 2009

### Dr.D

Because of the great number of variables involved (strength, wear, dynamic response requirements, etc.) just about the only way that I know of to find the true minimum is to define all of these criteria, and then make an exhaustive computer search while maintaining each of these at the minimum acceptable level. This is a very costly - and rarely cost effective - thing to do. I have never done it, and I do not recommend it.

9. Jan 8, 2009

### FredGarvin

In "the real world" you are given a basic set of criteria (variations are a certainty):

- weight
- \$/part
- performance

You and your team/management decide what goes into the requirements of a successful design. If you can meet all of your requirements, you are done. You may go back and revist a design in the future for any more refinements that can be made (usually weight savings).

10. Jan 8, 2009

### Dr.D

Fred's answer is exactly why I said that I do not recommend this minimization at all.

11. Jan 8, 2009

### ank_gl

duh Dr.D., I misread your post, i thought you were suggesting the true minimum based upon optimization of all the constraints.

12. Jan 9, 2009

### yaqatari

the number of teeth should increase since the 2nd gear is bigger

the relation is d=$$\frac{N}{p}$$ where
d is the diameter of the gear
N is the number of teeth
P is the diametral pitch ( number of teeth per unit length )

the P for all your gears should be the same ( other wise it wont work) and you should have no problem finding the number of teeth

of course you should have already decided the gears properties i.e ( material, width, tooth type & number of teeth in your smaller gear )
all of thees things can be determined by revising the catalogs of the gear manufacturer, based on load, speed of rotation and temperatures