Space-saving alternative for rack and pinion drives

Hypoid-toothed precision right angle gearboxes shorten the drive train and are therefore the ideal solution for confined spaces. For rack and pinion drives in particular, Neugart offers output shafts with a premounted pinion for two right angle gearbox series.

Demanding requirements for precision together with large radial and axial forces, on the one hand, and tight installation space situations, on the other: Designers are faced with complex tasks when selecting the right gear units, especially in machine tool manufacturing. These can be met by precision right angle gearboxes.

These are special bevel gearboxes with spiral bevel gears. The axes cross on two parallel, but different planes. This requires a special type of gearing: hypoid gearing. The angle created in this way means that the driving motor is offset by 90° relative to the output shaft, which significantly shortens the overall length of the drive train. Right angle gearboxes are thus the ideal solution for applications in confined spaces.

Variants with a premounted pinion

Neugart offers suitable precision right angle gearboxes in three series, each of which is distinguished by the design of the output shaft: The WPLN series features a smooth output shaft as standard. As an option, an output shaft with feather key or splines to DIN 5480 is also possible. The models of the WPSFN series are equipped with a flange output shaft, where a mechanical interface standardized in accordance with EN ISO 9409-1 allows parts to be attached directly to the flange. The gearboxes of the WGN series are characterized by a hollow shaft on one or both sides. The direction of rotation of the input shaft and output shaft is opposite for all series.

Two variants with a factory-premounted pinion are also part of the current right angle gearbox portfolio: A toothed outut shaft with a premounted pinion is available for the WPLN series, where gearing, in accordance with DIN 5480, ensures the necessary connection integrity. The WPSFN series, on the other hand, includes a flanged output shaft with premounted pinion, which - like all models in the series - is equipped with an interface in accordance with EN ISO 9409-1.

Ideal for rack and pinion drives

The precision right angle gearboxes with a premounted pinion are designed specifically for toothed rack applications. Pinions and toothed racks can be used in many areas of mechanical engineering. Appropriate drive systems make it possible to move large machine parts, in particular, over distances of several meters with a precise but relatively low-cost construction element. If several toothed racks are fitted one after the other, bigger portals can easily be realized.

When the rotatory movement of the electric drive motor in a rack and pinion drive is converted into a linear thrust, a considerable amount of radial and axial force acts upon the pinion that is being driven. The right-angle planetary gearboxes with a premounted pinion which have been developed by Neugart specifically for such applications use pinions manufactured in-house that are matched perfectly to the respective gearbox. In addition the gearboxes use high-performance tapered and inclined roller bearings in the output shaft bearing. These bearing tolerate extremely high radial and axial forces, allowing dynamic movement of even heavy weights.

Wide variety

A wide variety of gearbox models, frame sizes and ratios is available in order to accurately visualize the speed optimizations and torques that can be transmitted in combination with the pinion: For example, the WPLN series offers a choice of four sizes with flange cross-sections (at the output) between 70 and 142 mm. The WPLN variants with a pinion having helical or straight teeth are available with different numbers of teeth in modules 2 to 4. They enable feed forces of up to 18,000 N. The WPSFN series also covers a wide range of applications with four frame sizes, from 64 to 140 mm centering collar diameter. Here, too, premounted pinions with different numbers of teeth and different sized modules are available for all sizes. The pinions in this case are helical and support feed forces of up to 11,200 N.

In single-stage precision right angle gearboxes from Neugart , the hypoid gear right-angle stage alone is responsible for the transmission ratio. Transmission ratios from i=4 to i=10 can be achieved in this way. The torsional backlash is <5 arcmin. To achieve higher transmission ratios, a hypoid gearbox from the WPLN and WPSFN series can be combined with an additional planetary gearbox. In a Neugart gearbox, the planetary stage is positioned on the output side, i.e. after the hypoid gear right-angle stage. This allows the torsional backlash to be reduced optionally to <3 arcmin. In the case of a 2-stage WPLN, a low-backlash planetary gearbox with straight-cut gears is used, which permits particularly high torques. In contrast, a 2-stage WPSFN gearbox uses a low-backlash planetary gearbox with helical-cut gears. This ensures particularly homogeneous synchronization and a low noise level.

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Author: Sven Borho, Teamleiter Produktmanagement