One of the most crucial decisions for an industry that relies on heavy-duty equipment is the choice of gear system. Improper selection will result in overuse, increased downtime, and higher repair costs. Designs that are regularly contrasted in this sort of discussion include herringbone gears and double helical gears. Although they may appear similar to each other, there are several notable distinctions between the two. This blog discusses their design, performance, and appropriateness so that you can make an informed choice. The world industries still prefer double helical gears due to their accuracy and handling capabilities.
Exploring Design, Performance, Applications, and Maintenance
A knowledge of these differences in gear types will aid in engineering design, plant management, and maintenance, enabling colleagues to make more informed decisions. This section examines what distinguishes them in terms of their structural design, load handling capabilities, manufacturing approaches, and practical applications in the real world.
Design Characteristics of Double Helical Gears
The double helical gears consist of two sets of helical teeth situated parallel to one another in opposite directions. This peculiar arrangement makes a groove in the center of the assembly of the two helices. The main advantage of the design is that it negates the effectiveness of the axial thrust forces generated during the design’s operation. Minimizing these forces contributes to prolonging the span of bearings and decreasing the vibration of the related sections.
Besides the capability of smoother torque transfer, double helical gears are capable of supporting greater loads. Some of the industries that utilize these gears include marine propulsion, steam turbines, and large compressors, where they are commonly required to achieve high-power, high-speed applications.
However, the sophisticated geometry demands exceptional manufacturing precision. The teeth must be precisely aligned with each other, and they require high-tech machines and meticulous quality control to ensure a perfect match. Although this raises the cost of production and its time, a gear system is created that can withstand unbelievable amounts of stress smoothly.
Design Characteristics of Herringbone Gears
The herringbone gears extend the idea further by providing a continuous V-shaped tooth pattern. As opposed to the double helical gears, there is no longitudinal groove in the middle of the gears to disrupt the tooth arrangement. This configuration establishes a robust structure between gears and eliminates the risk of a critical material gap.
They are well-built and thus appeal in tough environments such as steel processing plants and mines. Herringbone gears are also used in many hot rolling machine systems to ensure constant operation in environments filled with dust and debris.
Assembly is also simpler compared to double helical gears. The removal of reliance on matching two discrete helical pieces exactly together implies shorter installation periods, which can be extremely important in industries that cannot afford periods of downtime.
Load Capacity and Operational Differences
Both gear types excel in handling substantial loads. The opposing helix angle. Double helical gear types are particularly well-suited for controlling high-speed applications, as opposing helix angles effectively counteract axial forces. This balance minimizes any side loads on bearings, which also decreases the wear and enhances the overall reliability of the system.
Under heavy loads, herringbone gears are also equally good, though with possibly greater tolerance for misalignments. This aspect is invaluable when working under harsh conditions, where maintaining accuracy is challenging. Their continuous tooth design also enhances dirt-detection performance since it ensures that there is no clogging.
Noise levels and vibration are also worth noting. Both designs are quieter than straight-cut gears due to the helical engagement of their teeth. Nevertheless, the double helical gears are more likely to be smoother at very high shaft speeds, whereas the herringbone gears give less noise at lower speeds.
Manufacturing and Maintenance Insights
During the production of double helical gears, hobbing and gear grinding processes are used to derive accurate symmetry on the teeth. As a result, they are often more expensive upfront. This initial payment, however, is compensated for by reduced wear and fewer maintenance interventions throughout the gear’s life.
Herringbone gears, however, make production easier since the space in the center of the gears is removed. This design extends their service intervals because there is no place where debris can collect in the tooth alignment. This aspect is what makes them popular in environments with hot rolling machines, where machines are exposed to metal shavings and high temperatures.
Both types of gears require regular lubrication and checkups. Nevertheless, the accessibility of herringbone gears during a maintenance procedure can be leveraged to reduce downtime.
Common Applications in Industry
It is common to find marine propulsions and steam turbines, as well as oil rigs, powered by double helical gears due to the importance of achieving axial balancing and quiet propulsion.
Occupying most of the applications are herringbone gears, which are used in steel rolling mills, cement processing, and large mining equipment. These attributes, such as their toughness in severe conditions, make them an absolute necessity in industrial spheres where heavy-duty applications are required at all times.
Conclusion
Both herringbone and the double helical geometry introduce different advantages into industrial machinery. The correct decision you should make is based on your operating requirements, accuracy requirements, and maintenance capacity. To provide high-performance gear systems custom to your application, RMT Tools has unparalleled expertise and quality. Discover how we can assist your business today. Contact us today!
