Selecting suitable gears for a gearbox

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting suitable gears for a gearbox that transmits power from a shaft rotating at 2000 rpm to achieve an output speed of approximately 350 rpm. Participants explore various gear arrangements, calculations, and considerations related to gear design, including the direction of rotation and gear ratios.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates an overall gear ratio of 5.71 based on the input and desired output speeds.
  • Another participant suggests considering the layout of gears and the number of gears needed before further calculations.
  • Some participants propose that epicyclic gears could meet the requirement of rotating in the same direction along the same axis.
  • Others argue that a simple layshaft design is more likely expected for this application.
  • A participant notes that the requirement for the output to be along the same axis affects the dimensions of the gears, specifically the distances between shafts.
  • One participant mentions that the overall gear ratio can be derived from the product of the ratios of gear pairs, suggesting a square root approach for equal ratios.
  • Another participant discusses the need for an odd number of gears to maintain the same direction of rotation and proposes using a spur gear with 22 teeth and one with 9 teeth to achieve the desired ratio.
  • Concerns are raised about the low tooth count of gears, with a participant recalling potential issues related to gear wear and contact angles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on gear selection and design, with no consensus reached on the best approach or specific gear types. Multiple competing views remain regarding the type of gear arrangement and the implications of gear ratios.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations and assumptions may depend on specific definitions or parameters not fully detailed in the discussion, such as the impact of gear tooth count on wear and performance.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and professionals interested in mechanical design, particularly those studying gearbox design and gear selection principles.

DevonZA
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Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



1. A gearbox is required to transmit 5.5 kW from a shaft rotating at 2000 rpm. The desired output speed is approximately 350 rpm. The output must rotate in the same direction as the input and along the same axis. Select suitable gears.

2. Lewis Formula: ##F= \frac{Wt}{(Kv)(m)(Y)}##

3.
I get an overall ratio of 2000rpm/350rpm = 5.71

Then I choose Np=18 and NG=100 (SG1-100) because 100/18=5.5 (these teeth numbers are from standard tables provided in the textbook - I unfortunately do not have a copy with me but I can post later)

m=1 according to table 6.7 where I have chosen SG1-100
d=mN
d=(1)(Np)
= 1x18
= 18

d=(1)(NG)
=1x100
=100
V=(d/2)XnX(2pi/60)
= (18/2)X2000X(2pi/60)
= 1884.96m/s

V=(d/2)XnX(2pi/60)
= (100/2)X350X(2pi/60)
= 1832.60m/s​
Kv=6/(6 +V)
= 6/(6+1884.96)
= 3.172991496x10^-3

Kv=6/(6 +V)
= 6/(6+1832.6)
=3.263352551x10^-3​
Wt= Power/V
= 5500W/1884.96
= 2.92N

Wt= Power/V
= 5500W/1832.6
= 3N​
F= Wt/(Kv)(m)(Y)
= 2.92/(3.172991496x10^-3)(1)(0.39502)
= 2329.67

F= Wt/(Kv)(m)(Y)
= 3/(3.263352551x10^-3)(1)(0.51321)
= 1791.27​

I'm not sure what to do from here. This question actually appears in Mechanical Design by K.Maekawa, T. Obikawa, Y. Yamane, T.H.C Childs but no solution is provided.
 
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DevonZA said:
The output must rotate in the same direction as the input and along the same axis. Select suitable gears.

Consider the layout of gears and number of gears needed to meet this requirement before doing any further calculations .
 
The type of gears that rotate in the same direction and along the same axis which I can think of are epicylic gears?
 
More likely a simple layshaft design is expected .
 
Okay so how to do I go about selecting gears then?
 
The fact that the output must be "along the same axis" has implications for the dimensions of the gears. For example the distance between the input shaft and the lay shaft must be same as lay shaft to output.
 
(1) As CWatters says about centre distances .

(2) Overall gear ratio is given by ratio of first pair multiplied by ratio of second pair .

Say both ratios are the same . Therefore (ratio)^2 = 5.7 and ratio = SQRT(5.7) = roughly 2.4

Use this ratio to answer your question .

(3) Full gear calculations optimise the load carrying capability of each gear and this may lead to different ratios being chosen for more critical applications .
 
Okay so overall ratio = ##\frac{2000}{350}## = 5.714
To get the same direction of rotation I need an odd number of gears such as 3 or 5.
I will say 3 gears, therefore if all ratios between gear 1&2 and 2&3 are the same ##ratio^2## = 5.714 and ratio=##\sqrt{5.714}##
Ratio = 2.4

So if I select a spur gear with 22 teeth and one with 9 teeth as per the table I get ##\frac{22}{9}## = 2.4
 
This is what a layshaft gear arrangement looks like :

.

nb : A countershaft and a layshaft are essentially the same thing though the term layshaft tends to be used in automotive industry and term countershaft more generally .
 
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  • #10
Devon I think we doing the same course ...MEE231V ?
 
  • #11
Hi Sunil

Yes I am really struggling. I contacted the lecturer for help and he told me to think..
How are you coping?
 
  • #12
really struggling vonZA said:
Hi Sunil

Yes I am really struggling. I contacted the lecturer for help and he told me to think..
How are you coping?
Im also really struggling man . I made a group on whatsapp do you wna be added we can work together
 
  • #13
sunil63 said:
Im also really struggling man . I made a group on whatsapp do you wna be added we can work together
Sent you my number. Studying with UNISA is honestly the worst I have had problems from day 1.
WRT this question I think I'm almost there, I'll post the answer I get once I'm done.
 
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  • #14
Nidum thank you for the video!
 
  • #15
How do I calculate the change in rpm between gears? I.E in gear 1 the rpm would be 2000rpm (input) in gear 2 the rpm would be..?
 
  • #16
Divide by gear ratios :

First pair : 2000 / 2.4 = 833 rpm

Second pair : 833 / 2.4 = 347 rpm
 
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  • #17
You figure this one out? Also doing unisa... Efff!
 
  • #18
DevonZA said:
So if I select a spur gear with 22 teeth and one with 9 teeth

I'm really no expert on gears but 9 teeth sounds low. I recall reading something once about gear wear on gears with a low tooth count? Do your textbooks or tables say anything about wear (contact angles?) on gears with a low tooth count?
 

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