Gear Train Apparatus

Table of Contents
Introduction
A set of interconnected gears is called a Gear Train. There are two main purposes for using a
train of gears. The most important is to establish a speed ratio between two rotating shafts: the
other is to transfer rotation from one axis to another with or without a change in the direction
of rotation (that is clockwise or anticlockwise). If spur gears are used the axes may be parallel or
coincident. The use of bevel gears enables the axes to be at an angle to each other.
A simple gear can change both the magnitude and the line of action of an effort force.

Figure 1

The effort force is applied to the "driver" and the load is applied to the "follower".

Nomenclature

Types
Following are the types of gear train
1. Simple gear train.
2. Compound gear train.
3. Reverted gear train.
4. Epicycle gear train.
Simple Gear Train:
The simple gear train is used where there is a large distance to be covered between the input
shaft and the output shaft. Each gear in a simple gear train is mounted on its own shaft.
When examining simple gear trains, it is necessary to decide whether the output gear will turn
faster, slower, or the same speed as the input gear. The circumference (distance around the
outside edge) of these two gears will determine their relative speeds.
Suppose the input gear's circumference is larger than the output gear's circumference. The
output gear will turn faster than the input gear. On the other hand, the input gear's
circumference could be smaller than the output gear's circumference. In this case the output
gear would turn more slowly than the input gear. If the input and output gears are exactly the
same size, they will turn at the same speed.
In many simple gear trains there are several gears between the input gear and the output gear.
These middle gears are called Idler gears. Idler gears do not affect the speed of the output gear.

Figure 2

Compound Gear Train:

In a compound gear train at least one of the shafts in the train must hold two gears.
Compound gear trains are used when large changes in speed or power output are needed and
there is only a small space between the input and output shafts.
The number of shafts and direction of rotation of the input gear determine the direction of
rotation of the output gear in a compound gear train. The train in Figure has two gears in
between the input and output gears. These two gears are on one shaft. They rotate in the same
direction and act like one gear. There are an odd number of gear shafts in this example. As a
result, the input gear and output gear rotate in the same direction.
Since two pairs of gears are involved, their ratios are “compounded”, or multiplied together.
 Figure 3

Reverted Gear Train:

A reverted gear train is very similar to a compound gear train. They are both used when there is
only a small space between the input and output shafts and large changes in speed or power
are needed.

Figure 4

There are two major differences between compound and reverted gear trains. First, the input
and output shafts of a reverted train must be on the same axis (in a straight line with one
another). Second, the distance between the centers of the two gears in each pair must be the
same.

Epicycle gear train:

An epicycle gear train consists of two gears mounted so that the center of one gear revolves
around the center of the other. A carrier connects the centers of the two gears and rotates to
carry one gear, called the planet gear, around the other, called the sun gear. The planet and
sun gears mesh so that their pitch circles roll without slip. A point on the pitch circle of the
planet gear traces an Epicycloids Curve.

Figure 5

Points necessary in its Making

Hardness and Toughness
Gear material should be hard enough to withstand with the external affecting forces. It should
be of tensile material so that gear can slide at each other and no problem occurs during the
rotation of the parts.

High endurance strength

We use the material with high endurance strength so that the dynamics load doesn’t affect the
machine parts.
Low coefficient of Friction
We use the material with low coefficient of friction so that the running of machine could not
affect and the stability remains.

Good Manufacturing
Material which can be easily manufactured and it can withstand under the required condition
and it doesn’t produce any problem during the operation of certain process.

Economical
Material has to be economical because sometimes we use large gears and they are of huge
sizes and we have to use them in running of basic operations in machine so we have to have
low cost material.

Heat
Material can withstand the high temperature so that it can’t create any trouble during
machining process.

Dependence
Selection of Material is totally depend upon the condition where we are using, either we are
using in engine where temperature is high and the they also depend upon the size of gears
where they are using like heavy machinery in industries.

Gear manufacturing Material

Generally cast iron, steel, brass and bronze are preferred for manufacturing metallic gears with
cut teeth. Where smooth action is not important, cast iron gears with cut teeth may be
employed. Commercially cut gears have a pitch line velocity of about 5 meter/second. For
velocities larger than this, gear sets with non-metallic pinions as one member are used to
eliminate vibration and noise. Non-metallic materials are made of various materials such as
treated cotton pressed and molded at high-pressure, synthetic resins of the phenol type and
rawhide. Moisture affects rawhide pinions. Gears made of phenolic resins are self-supporting
on the other hand other two types are supported by metal side plates at both ends of the plate.

Advantages
1. It transmits exact velocity ratio.
2. It may be used to transmit large power.
3. It may be used for small centre distances of shafts.
 4. It has high efficiency.
5. It has reliable service.
6. It has compact layout.
7. Simple gear train is used to connect gears where a large center
distance is required.
8. It is used to obtain desired direction of motion of the driven gear
(CW or CCW).
9. A much larger speed reduction from the first shaft to the last shaft
can be obtained with small gear.
10. If simple gear trains used to give a large speed reduction, the last
gear has to be very large.
11. The reverted gear trains are used in automotive transmissions,
lathe back gears, industrial speed reducers, and in clocks (where
the minute and hour hand shafts are co-axial).

Applications