The comparison of the characteristics of planetary gear reducers and worm gear reducers

A reducer is an intermediate mechanism connecting the power source and the actuator, matching speed and transmitting torque. There are many types of reducers, including harmonic reducers, RV reducers, planetary gear reducers, and worm gear reducers.

Among these types of reducers, planetary gear reducers and worm gear reducers are both very common in mechanical transmission and industrial automation, and are the main products of Shanghai SGR Heavy Industry Machinery Co., Ltd., a long-established reducer manufacturer. With over 15 years of experience in the R&D and production of industrial reducers, SGR has compiled a detailed comparison between planetary gear reducers and worm gear reducers.

(1) Planetary gear reducer

A planetary gear reducer is a mechanical transmission device consisting of a sun gear, planetary gears, a planetary carrier, and an internal ring gear. It transmits power by rotating a series of planetary gears around a central sun gear, and can achieve a large torque amplification effect in a relatively small space.

Four major features of planetary gear reducer:

1.High transmission efficiency and compact structure

The transmission efficiency of planetary gear reducers is usually above 90%, with low energy loss and high transmission efficiency. Planetary gear reducers use a planetary gear system with a relatively compact structure, making them suitable for application scenarios with limited space.

2.Wide transmission ratio range and strong load-bearing capacity

Planetary gear reducers can achieve a larger transmission ratio by combining gears of different sizes. Because multiple gears work simultaneously, planetary gear reducers have a higher load-bearing capacity and can withstand larger radial and axial loads.

3.Good stability and precise control

The gears in a planetary gear reducer are evenly distributed, and the loads on each component are balanced, resulting in better stability and smoothness. Currently, most planetary gear reducers use a low backlash design, which reduces backlash, improves transmission accuracy, and ensures transmission accuracy and stability during long-term operation.

4.Long life and wide application

The uniform force on the gears and the high-quality manufacturing process give the planetary reducer a long service life.

For instance, the gears of SGR’s planetary gear reducers are made of  of 20CrMnTi, carburized and quenched, then ground. They offer advantages such as multi-tooth load distribution, stable and reliable operation, and high mechanical efficiency. SGR’s planetary gear reducers are widely used in various industrial sectors, including construction machinery, marine auxiliary machinery, mining machinery, and textile printing and dyeing machinery.

（2）Worm gear reducer

A worm gear reducer achieves speed reduction and torque amplification between the input and output shafts through the meshing of a worm wheel and a worm. The worm wheel is a gear with a helical shape, while the worm is the transmission shaft, typically in a spiral shape. This meshing between the two gives the worm gear reducer its unique transmission characteristics.

Four major features of worm gear reducer:

1.Compact structure, can achieve large reduction ratio

Worm gear reducers require only a worm wheel and a worm, making them relatively compact. They typically have a large reduction ratio, ranging from 10:1 to 100:1 or even higher, enabling high torque output and making them suitable for applications requiring high power output.

2.Unique self-locking

Worm gear reducers have a strong self-locking property, preventing the worm from rotating by reverse driving the worm wheel. This increases safety and makes them very useful in applications where it is necessary to prevent the load from free falling. The self-locking function also reduces the occurrence of accidents in the mechanical and industrial fields.

3.Wear-resistant and durable, long service life

Now in the market, worm gear reducers are typically made of bronze or other wear-resistant materials, offering superior wear resistance and durability. These materials are suitable for long-term, high-load operating conditions, extending the lifespan of the worm gear reducer.

Furthermore, the worm gear in a worm gear reducer typically utilizes an involute tooth profile. This design ensures smoother engagement between the worm and the worm wheel, reducing shock and vibration, thereby improving transmission efficiency and service life.

4.Smooth operation and low noise

In worm gear reducers, the meshing between the worm wheel and the worm is very smooth, thus reducing noise. Furthermore, modern worm gear reducers are generally manufactured using CNC machine tools, ensuring the basic dimensional accuracy and tooth profile precision of the worm and worm wheel, and significantly reducing vibration and noise during operation.

For example, SGR’s worm gear reducers’s worm is made of 20CrMnTi, carburized and quenched, then ground, and the worm wheel is constructed of high-performance bronze alloy, resulting in long-lasting wear resistance, high transmission efficiency, and a long lifespan.

Compared to similar cylindrical worm and worm gear pairs, it offers significantly improved load capacity and transmission efficiency. It also features mechanical self-locking at high speed ratios, effectively enhancing the safety of machinery. SGR, in collaboration with relevant universities, has conducted systematic research on design, process, production, assembly, and testing, hoping to promote the development and promotion of this innovative transmission technology invented by the Chinese. The mounting dimensions are interchangeable with CAVEX® Worm-Gear Units from a foreign company, and key transmission components can also be customized.

（3）The differences in application fields of the two reducers

Planetary gear reducers are suitable for applications that require high transmission efficiency, precise transmission, and a small reduction ratio. Specific application areas and equipment often include: automated production lines, excavators, cranes, mining equipment, wind turbines, food processing equipment, textile machinery, printing machinery, etc.

Worm gear reducers are suitable for industrial and mechanical fields that require large torque output, strong self-locking and large reduction ratio. Specific application areas include: cranes, winches, elevators, lifting platforms, conveyor belt systems, packaging machinery, food processing equipment, chemical equipment, printing equipment and some agricultural machinery.

Planetary gear reducers and worm gear reducers each have their own unique advantages and applicable scenarios. In industrial and mechanical applications, which reducer should be selected ultimately depends on the specific application needs and working environment requirements.(Author, SGR, Angie Zhang)

Email: export@sgr.com.cn

WhatsApp: +86 188 1807 0282

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