Worm Gear
Unlock Extreme Speed Reduction with Precision Worm Gear Sets
Engineered for compact, right-angle power transmission, our worm gears provide high reduction ratios and inherent self-locking safety.
- High Reduction Ratios (Up to 100:1)
- Self-Locking for Safety & Control
- Quiet, Smooth Right-Angle Drive
- Hardened Steel & Bronze for Longevity
Manufacturing Specifications
We manufacture worm gear sets as matched pairs to ensure optimal contact, efficiency, and service life. The worm is a screw-like gear, conceptually similar to the gear used in our rack and pinion systems for linear motion.
| Worm (Screw) Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | Alloy Steels (EN353, 20MnCr5, SAE 8620) |
| Heat Treatment | Case Carburized, Hardened & Tempered |
| Hardness | 58-62 HRC |
| Manufacturing | Thread Milling or Grinding for high precision |
| Starts | Single, Double, or Multi-start designs available |
| Worm Wheel Specifications | |
| Material | Phosphor Bronze (PB1, PB2), Aluminium Bronze, Cast Iron (CI FG260) |
| Manufacturing | Precision hobbing on specialized machines |
| Configuration | Solid, spoked, or with a steel hub and bronze rim |
Key Industrial Applications
Worm gears are the preferred solution where high reduction, load-holding, or compact design is essential:
- Conveyor Systems: For controlled, high-torque movement and braking.
- Lifts & Hoists: Leveraging the self-locking feature for critical safety.
- Indexing & Rotary Tables: For precise, repeatable positioning in machine tools.
- Material Handling Equipment: Providing compact, powerful drives for moving heavy loads.
- Automated Gate Operators
- Packaging Machinery
- Pressing Machines
- Rudder Control Systems
Comparison: Worm Gear vs. Bevel Gear
Both are right-angle drives, but they serve very different purposes. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose.
| Feature | Worm Gear Set | Bevel Gear Set |
|---|---|---|
| Gear Ratio | Very High (10:1 to 100:1+) | Low (Typically 1:1 to 5:1) |
| Self-Locking | Yes (by design) | No |
| Efficiency | Lower (50-90%) | High (95-99%) |
| Heat Generation | High (due to sliding) | Low (due to rolling) |
| Backlash | Moderate to High | Very Low (with spiral bevel) |
| Ideal Use | High reduction, load holding | High efficiency, precision power transfer |
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary reason is to achieve a very high gear reduction ratio in a single, compact stage. Ratios of 20:1, 50:1, or even 100:1 are common, which would require multiple gear pairs with other gear types.
Self-locking means the worm wheel cannot drive the worm, effectively acting as a brake. This is a critical safety feature in applications like lifts, hoists, and conveyor belts, as it prevents the load from back-driving the motor when power is off. We engineer this feature based on your needs.
This is crucial for performance. The worm (screw) is made of a hard material like case-hardened steel to withstand rotational stress. The wheel is made of a softer, conformable material like bronze, which reduces friction, minimizes wear on the hardened worm, and dissipates heat effectively. Learn more about our material expertise.
The Shreeji Gears Advantage: Engineering for Reliability
We go beyond manufacturing to deliver worm gear sets that are robust, safe, and built to last.
The Art of Material Pairing
A successful worm drive depends on the synergy between the worm and wheel. We pair case-hardened, ground-finish steel worms with high-quality phosphor bronze wheels. This combination minimizes friction, manages heat, and ensures the gear set wears predictably for a long, reliable service life.
Precision in Every Thread
The worm's profile is not just a screw; it's a precision-engineered gear tooth. Our CNC thread grinding and milling processes create a perfectly formed worm profile. We then hob the wheel to be a perfect conjugate, ensuring a full-contact patch for maximum torque transfer and smooth operation.
Engineered Safety & Control
The self-locking feature is not an accident; it's a result of precise engineering. We control the lead angle of the worm to design a gear set that is either self-locking for safety or back-drivable for specific applications. You get the exact performance characteristics your system requires.
The Mechanics of High Reduction & Self-Locking
Sliding Action: The Key to Worm Gear Performance
Unlike other gear types that use rolling contact, a worm gear drive operates primarily on sliding contact. The threads of the worm slide across the teeth of the wheel. This action is responsible for both its greatest strengths and its primary weakness.
- Strength: The sliding action allows a single rotation of the worm to advance the wheel by just one tooth, enabling massive reduction ratios.
- Weakness: Sliding creates more friction than rolling, which results in lower efficiency and significant heat generation. This makes proper material selection and lubrication absolutely critical.
The Power of Self-Locking
A worm gear is self-locking when its lead angle is smaller than the friction angle between the materials. In simple terms, the friction holding the gears in place is greater than the force the wheel is trying to apply back onto the worm. This natural braking ability is a game-changer for safety-critical applications, often eliminating the need for expensive external braking systems. Our engineers design the lead angle to meet your specific load-holding requirements.
Get a Quote for Your Custom Worm Gear Set
Provide your technical specifications for a fast and accurate quote from our engineering team.
For the quickest service, please email your engineering drawing or a sketch to support@shreejigears.com. Please include these key parameters in your inquiry:
- Required Gear Ratio (e.g., 40:1)
- Center Distance between worm and wheel
- Number of Starts on the worm (1, 2, 4 etc.)
- Material & Hardness for both Worm and Wheel
- Bore/Shaft Diameters and Keyway sizes
- Required Quantity