When it comes to mechanics and engineering, many people get overwhelmed by all the various terms. However, you don’t have to be a professional in either of these fields in order to understand some common concepts and tools that are often used.
One of the simplest tools in engineering is the gear. A gear, also known as a cogwheel, is essentially a circular piece of metal with “teeth.” When a gear combines with a different gear or piece of machinery, torque is able to be transmitted successfully.
There are many kinds of custom gears, ranging from bevel gears to spur gears to hypoid gears. Read on to learn all about these kinds of tools.
Learning the Basics About Different Gears:
- One of the most common kinds of gears is the bevel gear. Bevel gears can be found in multiple things including trains, automobiles, painting presses and power plants. They are most often used on shafts mounted at approximately 90 degrees. Bevel gears are typically made out of cast iron because not only is it durable, but it is very resistant to wear and tear.
- There are two main kinds of bevel gears: spiral and straight. Spiral bevel gears have curved “teeth” set at some kind of angle, whereas straight bevel gears have teeth that are parallel to the cone generators. If you change the number of teeth on either a spiral or straight bevel gear, you will change the mechanical advantage.
- Another kind of gear is a hypoid gear. Hypoid gears are very similar to spiral bevel gears, however, their shaft axes do not intercept.
- Spur gears are another type of common gear. Spur gears have teeth that are parallel to the axis of a wheel. These are commonly found in washing machines, clothes dryers and other kinds of machinery.
When it comes to finding quality, affordable gears, there are many places to look. The Internet is usually a popular option when it comes to finding certain gears, as you can browse different sites and compare prices with a click of a button. However, visiting local stores gives you an advantage in the sense that you have trained staff members there to help you if you have any questions. In additions, many local stores that sell gears will cut you a deal if you buy gears in bulk.
If you still feel lost, there are many “how to” websites and books out there for those looking to learn about these kinds of things. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions to staff members when visiting stores; they are there to help you and to help you learn.
Have you had any experiences buying gears? Tell us about it in the comments below! Great references here.
