Nylon & Plastic Gears
Nylon & Plastic Gears: The Metal Alternative
We engineer custom plastic gears to solve challenges related to noise, weight, corrosion, and lubrication where traditional metal gears fall short.
- Quiet, Vibration-Damping Operation
- Self-Lubricating & Maintenance-Free
- Excellent Corrosion & Chemical Resistance
- Lightweight for Reduced Inertia
Manufacturing Capabilities
We offer a complete plastic gear manufacturing solution, from material selection consultation to precision production via CNC machining or injection molding.
| Gear Types | Spur, Helical, Bevel, Worm & Worm Wheel, Custom Profiles |
| Material Options | Nylon (PA6, PA66), Acetal (Delrin®), PEEK, Glass-Filled (GF30), MoS₂ Filled |
| Manufacturing Methods | Precision CNC Machining, Injection Molding |
| Module Range | 0.5 to 8 Module |
| Key Properties | Low Friction, High Wear Resistance, Electrical Insulation |
| Design Considerations | Thermal Expansion, Moisture Absorption (Hygroscopic), PV Rating |
Common Industrial Applications
Our plastic gears are trusted in industries where their unique properties provide a clear advantage:
- Food & Beverage: Conveyors, bottling machines (no lubrication needed).
- Medical & Laboratory: Analysis equipment, pumps (quiet, clean).
- Office Automation: Printers, scanners, paper feeders (low noise).
- Automotive: Wiper systems, seat adjustment motors (lightweight).
- Textile Machinery: Winding and weaving equipment.
- Consumer Products: Appliances, toys, power tools.
Understanding Plastic Gear Terminology
Engineering plastics have properties that are critical to gear performance. Understanding these terms is key.
| Term | Definition & Importance |
|---|---|
| Self-Lubrication | The inherent low coefficient of friction of materials like Nylon and Delrin, which allows them to run smoothly without external grease or oil. |
| Vibration Damping | The ability of a material to absorb and dissipate energy, which is why plastic gears are significantly quieter than metal gears. |
| Hygroscopic | The tendency of a material (especially Nylon) to absorb moisture from the air. This can cause slight dimensional growth and must be accounted for in design. |
| Glass-Filled (GF) | Adding glass fibers (e.g., GF30 = 30% glass) to a polymer to increase its stiffness, strength, and dimensional stability, though it can be more abrasive. |
| Thermal Expansion | The rate at which a material expands with heat. Plastics expand much more than metals, a critical factor for calculating operating backlash. |
Why PV Rating Matters
The PV Rating (Pressure-Velocity) is a critical performance metric for plastic gears. It represents the maximum combination of load (Pressure) and speed (Velocity) a material can withstand before failing due to frictional heat buildup. A higher PV rating indicates better performance under demanding conditions. Our expertise helps in selecting a material with the appropriate PV rating for your gear's specific operating cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a plastic gear when one or more of these factors are critical: low noise, light weight, corrosion resistance, or self-lubrication. They are ideal for light-to-medium load applications. Choose a metal gear for high-torque, high-temperature, or high-impact applications where maximum strength is required.
It depends on your application. Nylon is a tough, low-cost all-rounder. Acetal (Delrin) has better dimensional stability and is great for wet environments. PEEK is a high-performance polymer for applications with high temperatures and harsh chemicals, such as our high-load internal gears might face.
Machining is ideal for prototypes, low-volume production, and for very high-precision requirements. Injection molding is highly cost-effective for high-volume production runs, as the initial cost of the mold is distributed over thousands of parts. We can guide you through this process when you contact us.
The Shreeji Gears Polymer Advantage
We go beyond simple manufacturing to provide true engineering solutions in plastic gearing.
Material Science Expertise
We aren't just machinists; we are polymer specialists. We help you navigate the complex world of engineering plastics—from Nylon to PEEK—to select the perfect material based on your load, speed, temperature, and chemical environment.
Process Versatility
Whether you need a dozen high-precision machined prototypes or 10,000 cost-effective injection molded parts, we have the right manufacturing process for your project's scale and budget, ensuring an optimal outcome.
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
We partner with you to optimize your gear design for production. We provide expert guidance on factors like wall thickness, gate location for molding, and managing thermal expansion to ensure your plastic gear is not just made, but made right.
Metal vs. Plastic Gears: The Ultimate Showdown
Choose the right material by understanding the trade-offs.
Modern Plastic Gears
- Lightweight, reducing inertia
- Quiet, vibration-damping operation
- Self-lubricating, maintenance-free
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Lower strength & load capacity
- Lower temperature limits
- Potential for moisture absorption
Industries We Power with Polymer Solutions
From sterile labs to automated production lines, our plastic gears deliver performance.
Food & Beverage
Self-lubricating, FDA-compliant materials eliminate contamination risks in conveyors and bottling machines.
Medical & Pharmaceutical
Quiet, clean, and precise gears for diagnostic equipment, lab automation, and dispensing systems.
Automotive
Lightweight solutions for non-critical systems like window regulators, seat adjustments, and wiper motors.
Your Manufacturing Pathway: Machining vs. Molding
We provide the right process for your project's volume and complexity.
Precision CNC Machining
Best For: Prototypes, low-volume runs (1-1000 pieces), complex geometries, and the highest precision requirements.
Injection Molding
Best For: High-volume production (1000+ pieces), achieving the lowest cost-per-part, and consistent repeatability.
Beyond the Gear: Your Engineering Partner
We offer value-added services to ensure your project's success from start to finish.
Material Consultation
Unsure between Nylon and PEEK? We help you select the optimal polymer for your exact application needs.
Design Optimization (DFM)
We review your designs for manufacturability, suggesting improvements to enhance strength and reduce cost.
Failure Analysis
Facing issues with an existing plastic gear? We can analyze failures and recommend superior material or design solutions.
Material Selection Guide: Nylon vs. Delrin vs. PEEK
Choosing the right polymer is the most critical step in designing a successful plastic gear. This decision impacts everything from strength to the required backlash, similar to how one chooses between a spur gear and a helical gear for metal applications.
A Quick Comparison for Your Application
| Material | Key Advantage | Limitation | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon (PA6/PA66) | Excellent toughness & low cost | Absorbs moisture | General purpose, dry environments, moderate loads. |
| Acetal (Delrin®) | High stiffness & low moisture absorption | Less wear-resistant than Nylon | Wet environments, food-grade applications, precision parts. |
| PEEK | High temp & chemical resistance | Very high cost | Aerospace, medical, and harsh chemical applications. |
"The custom machined PEEK gears for our chemical pump have performed flawlessly. They've outlasted the previous material by a factor of three. Shreeji's expertise in selecting the right high-performance polymer was invaluable."— Senior Design Engineer, Industrial Pump Manufacturer
Get a Quote for Your Plastic Gear
Provide your specifications for a competitive, no-obligation quote.
For the fastest service, please email your technical drawing to support@shreejigears.com. Be sure to include the following details:
- Gear Type: (Spur, Helical, etc.)
- Key Dimensions: (Module, Teeth, Face Width)
- Plastic Material Grade: (e.g., Nylon PA6, Delrin 150, PEEK GF30)
- Operating Environment: (Temperature, moisture, chemicals)
- Load & Speed Conditions
- Required Quantity (to determine Machining vs. Molding)