Bevel Gear Design: Choosing Between Straight and Spiral Bevel Gears

Kexin Product Page

• Thread starter

  Jarfi

• Start date

  Nov 11, 2014

• Tags

  Gear Spiral

In summary, the conversation discusses the differences between spiral bevel gears and normal bevel gears. While the spiral version is more popular in engineering, it is also more complex and prone to failure. However, with today's technology, manufacturing a spiral bevel gear is no more difficult than a normal one. The advantages of helical gears over spur gears are also mentioned, including less stress and the ability to use weaker bearings. The cost effectiveness of spur gears for small businesses and the preference for off-the-shelf parts are also discussed.

• Nov 11, 2014

• #1

Jarfi

384

12

So I've been searching up "bevel gear" CAD tutorials, but all I can find is "Spiral bevel gear".

It seems like the spiral version of the bevel gear is much more popular in engineering then the normal one one.

But drawing a spiral bevel gear, and manufacturing it would be more complex and prone to faliure, while a normal bevel gear needs less detail. The spiral one seems to do the exact same thing except that it's more complex...

For a gear that needs to be responsive and simple, and can be 3d printed for pototyping, is there any reason why I would choose a spiral bevel gear over a normal type bevel gear?

Thanks in advance

 

• Researchers figure out optimal stiffness-toughness trade-off
• Research team develops metamaterial to enable real-time shape and property control
• New kinds of padding could make football gear, bike helmets safer than ever

Engineering news on Phys.org

• Nov 11, 2014

• #2

billy_joule

Science Advisor

1,200

331

Are you aware of the advantages of helical gears over spur gears?
Wikipedia explains is pretty well.

 

• Nov 13, 2014

• #3

Baluncore

Science Advisor

2023 Award

14,497

8,410

“After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.

With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.
See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

See; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleason_Corporation “After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2017

• Nov 14, 2014

• Bevel Gear Design: Choosing Between Straight and Spiral ...

  Bevel Gear Design: Choosing Between Straight and Spiral Bevel GearSpiral Bevel Gears

  • Thread starter

    Jarfi

  • Start date

    Nov 11, 2014

  • Tags

    Gear Spiral

  In summary, the conversation discusses the differences between spiral bevel gears and normal bevel gears. While the spiral version is more popular in engineering, it is also more complex and prone to failure. However, with today's technology, manufacturing a spiral bevel gear is no more difficult than a normal one. The advantages of helical gears over spur gears are also mentioned, including less stress and the ability to use weaker bearings. The cost effectiveness of spur gears for small businesses and the preference for off-the-shelf parts are also discussed.

  • Nov 11, 2014

  • #1

  Jarfi

  384

  12

  So I've been searching up "bevel gear" CAD tutorials, but all I can find is "Spiral bevel gear".
  
  It seems like the spiral version of the bevel gear is much more popular in engineering then the normal one one.
  
  But drawing a spiral bevel gear, and manufacturing it would be more complex and prone to faliure, while a normal bevel gear needs less detail. The spiral one seems to do the exact same thing except that it's more complex...
  
  For a gear that needs to be responsive and simple, and can be 3d printed for pototyping, is there any reason why I would choose a spiral bevel gear over a normal type bevel gear?
  
  Thanks in advance

   

  • Researchers figure out optimal stiffness-toughness trade-off
  • Research team develops metamaterial to enable real-time shape and property control
  • New kinds of padding could make football gear, bike helmets safer than ever

  Engineering news on Phys.org

  • Nov 11, 2014

  • #2

  billy_joule

  Science Advisor

  1,200

  331

  Are you aware of the advantages of helical gears over spur gears?
  Wikipedia explains is pretty well.

   

  • Nov 13, 2014

  • #3

  Baluncore

  Science Advisor

  2023 Award

  14,497

  8,410

  
  “After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.
  
  With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.
  See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

  See; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleason_Corporation “After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

   

  Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2017

  • Nov 14, 2014

  • #4

  Jarfi

  384

  12

  billy_joule said:

  Are you aware of the advantages of helical gears over spur gears?
  Wikipedia explains is pretty well.

  
  I have touched upon it now, seems like Helical gears aren't completely superior with them having more torque on the gear shaft, which is why spur gears seem to be superior in chosen situations, mainly racing cars and high torque situations.
  
  

  Baluncore said:

  
  “After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.
  
  With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.
  See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

  See; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleason_Corporation “After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

  
  That is sobering to see, yes I had a feeling they were more complex to manufacture, but seems like technology always wins.
  
  Although I suspect the cost effectiveness of spur gears still stands for small business owners that don't have access to a mechanical engineering team with money for mass production lines. Making a customized helical gear(fitting certain dimensions) would thus perhaps still be less cost effective, since spur gears are more expensive to make until at the level of a massive corporation.
  
  Thanks for the information,
  
  -Jarfi

  I have touched upon it now, seems like Helical gears aren't completely superior with them having more torque on the gear shaft, which is why spur gears seem to be superior in chosen situations, mainly racing cars and high torque situations.That is sobering to see, yes I had a feeling they were more complex to manufacture, but seems like technology always wins.Although I suspect the cost effectiveness of spur gears still stands for small business owners that don't have access to a mechanical engineering team with money for mass production lines. Making a customized helical gear(fitting certain dimensions) would thus perhaps still be less cost effective, since spur gears are more expensive to make until at the level of a massive corporation.Thanks for the information,-Jarfi

   

  Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2017

  • Nov 14, 2014

  • #5

  billy_joule

  Science Advisor

  1,200

  331

  Jarfi said:

  I have touched upon it now, seems like Helical gears aren't completely superior with them having more torque on the gear shaft, which is why spur gears seem to be superior in chosen situations, mainly racing cars and high torque situations.

  
  That is not true. Helical have more teeth meshing so less stress for a given torque. Straight cut gears are preferred for some situations because they have no thrust force. That means cases and bearings can be weaker and lighter but the gears will have to be a bit larger than the equivalent helical gears.
  
  

  Although I suspect the cost effectiveness of spur gears still stands for small business owners that don't have access to a mechanical engineering team with money for mass production lines. Making a customized helical gear(fitting certain dimensions) would thus perhaps still be less cost effective, since spur gears are more expensive to make until at the level of a massive corporation.

  In most cases it's much more common to design to suit off the shelve parts (including gears) than try to make everything in house. I'd guess even a company like Toyota don't make their own gears - Gear companies have the plant and have done the R&D already.

  That is not true. Helical have more teeth meshing so less stress for a given torque. Straight cut gears are preferred for some situations because they have no thrust force. That means cases and bearings can be weaker and lighter but the gears will have to be a bit larger than the equivalent helical gears.In most cases it's much more common to design to suit off the shelve parts (including gears) than try to make everything in house. I'd guess even a company like Toyota don't make their own gears - Gear companies have the plant and have done the R&D already.

   

  Related to Bevel Gear Design: Choosing Between Straight and Spiral Bevel Gears

  1. What is the difference between a bevel gear and a spiral bevel gear?

  A bevel gear is a type of gear with a cone-shaped surface that is used to transmit power between intersecting shafts. It has straight teeth that are cut along the surface of the cone. A spiral bevel gear, on the other hand, has curved teeth that are cut in a spiral pattern along the surface of the cone. This design allows for smoother and more efficient power transmission.

  2. What are the advantages of using a spiral bevel gear over a traditional bevel gear?

  One of the main advantages of a spiral bevel gear is its ability to handle higher loads and torque. The curved teeth provide more surface area for contact, allowing for a larger load-carrying capacity. Additionally, the spiral design reduces noise and vibration, making it ideal for high-speed and high-precision applications.

  3. Can a bevel gear and a spiral bevel gear be used interchangeably?

  No, bevel gears and spiral bevel gears are not interchangeable. The difference in tooth design and surface contact means that they cannot mesh properly and will not function correctly if used interchangeably. It is important to select the appropriate gear type for the specific application.

  4. What factors should be considered when choosing between a bevel gear and a spiral bevel gear?

  When selecting between these two gear types, factors such as load, speed, precision, noise level, and application requirements should be taken into consideration. Spiral bevel gears are typically more expensive and require more precise manufacturing, so they are usually reserved for high-performance applications where noise and vibration must be minimized.

  5. How are bevel gears and spiral bevel gears commonly used in industrial applications?

  Bevel gears and spiral bevel gears are commonly used in a variety of industrial applications that involve intersecting shafts. They are often found in power transmission systems, such as in automobiles, construction equipment, and heavy machinery. They are also used in precision instruments, such as aircraft engines and medical equipment.

  Straight or Spiral Bevel Gearboxes - What's Better?

  Bevel gears enable us to operate a vast array of machinery, massive or small, so they are indispensable in many industrial applications. A bevel gearbox is particularly useful because, just by the way the components integrate with one another, it can control the speed and amount of power delivered to an output shaft while changing rotational direction. 

  Usually a bevel gear is conical in shape. The teeth that come together to drive the gear can be arranged straight up and down, or they can be curved to form a spiral design. Either way, the teeth taper toward the cone’s apex.

  So Which Style of Gearbox is Better? 

  Either type of bevel gearbox will work when:

  • The shafts intersect at odd angles (commonly right angle)
  • The shafts are on the same plane
  • The shaft has to change rotational direction

  However, as always with industrial equipment, what is “best” depends on your specific application and operating environment. Some considerations are functional, while others may be preferential.

  Advantages of Spiral Bevel over Straight Bevel in a Gearbox

  Spiral bevel gears typically cost more than those with straight teeth, but for many installations, the benefits will-outweigh the cost difference:

  • Noise. As the gears rotate, straight teeth impact one another all at once, so they produce a clattering noise that can be significant in medium- and high-speed operations. Spiral teeth mesh gradually as they turn, so operation is significantly quieter.
  • Shock loading. The sudden impact of straight teeth coming together while rotating also increases the risk of shock loading, which can cause undue wear or damage and premature replacement.
  • Vibration. Spiral teeth are not only quieter, but their smoother operation also produces less vibration making them more efficient.
  • Axial thrust. The conical shape of bevel gears causes them to produce axial thrust as they rotate. In spiral bevel gears, the axial force changes depending on the rotational direction due to the curved tooth design.  
  • Overheating. Straight teeth bevels are in contact more, increasing friction, and the chance for overheating equipment.
  • Strength and durability. Because they endure greater initial and ongoing impact, straight teeth are more likely to break. Spiral teeth are concave (or convex, depending on the side you’re looking at). Their curved shape is inherently stronger, and ongoing wear is reduced by gradual, rather than sudden, meshing impact and the fact that several teeth are engaged at any given time.

  Spiral bevel gearboxes are ideal for applications such as cooling towers, wind turbines, steel manufacturing, packaging and food processing, material handling, robotics, printing presses, and so on – anywhere that requires any or all of these performance characteristics:

  • High speeds
  • Speed reduction
  • High torque
  • Frequent load cycles or continuous operation

  Teeth Aren’t the Only Factor in Choosing the Right Gearbox

  As useful and versatile as spiral bevel gearboxes can be, some industrial designs call for a different type of gear - helical gears or worm gears.

  You’ll need to consider not only gear style but gearbox size, gear ratio, configuration, etc. The video below explains the differences and options among our styles of right-angle gearboxes and the design/performance implications of those differences.
  
  

  
  All of W.C. Branham’s right-angle gearboxes are also available in stainless steel. 

  The Right Supplier is as Important as the Right Product

  It is critical to find exactly the right gearboxes for your installation because what you choose will affect future productivity and cost-effectiveness. But there are other factors that affect those results, and they all come down to the manufacturer:

  • Long-standing reputation for innovation and quality
  • Reliable product availability
  • Responsive, proactively helpful customer service
  • Custom from-scratch design or product modifications

  At W.C. Branham, we are proud that our company embodies all of these traits. We introduced the concept of a right-angle hollow-core helical gearbox that is pre-lubricated and leak-proof. But that’s just one example of our dedication to pursuing Solutions in Motion. We are experts on right-angle gears and are always available to work hand in hand with customers to find or build precisely the right product.

• #4

Jarfi

384

12

billy_joule said:

Are you aware of the advantages of helical gears over spur gears?
Wikipedia explains is pretty well.

I have touched upon it now, seems like Helical gears aren't completely superior with them having more torque on the gear shaft, which is why spur gears seem to be superior in chosen situations, mainly racing cars and high torque situations.

Baluncore said:

“After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.

With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.
See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

See; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleason_Corporation “After engineers at Packard developed spiral bevel gears, Gleason pioneered the machine tools to mass-produce them (with automotive differentials being the primary market)”.With today’s machines, it is no more difficult to generate a spiral bevel than a straight bevel gear.See also; http://www.cad.sun.ac.za/catalogs/MachineComponents/bevellgear.pdf

That is sobering to see, yes I had a feeling they were more complex to manufacture, but seems like technology always wins.

Although I suspect the cost effectiveness of spur gears still stands for small business owners that don't have access to a mechanical engineering team with money for mass production lines. Making a customized helical gear(fitting certain dimensions) would thus perhaps still be less cost effective, since spur gears are more expensive to make until at the level of a massive corporation.

Thanks for the information,

-Jarfi

I have touched upon it now, seems like Helical gears aren't completely superior with them having more torque on the gear shaft, which is why spur gears seem to be superior in chosen situations, mainly racing cars and high torque situations.That is sobering to see, yes I had a feeling they were more complex to manufacture, but seems like technology always wins.Although I suspect the cost effectiveness of spur gears still stands for small business owners that don't have access to a mechanical engineering team with money for mass production lines. Making a customized helical gear(fitting certain dimensions) would thus perhaps still be less cost effective, since spur gears are more expensive to make until at the level of a massive corporation.Thanks for the information,-Jarfi

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2017

• Nov 14, 2014

• #5

billy_joule

Science Advisor

1,200

331

Jarfi said:

I have touched upon it now, seems like Helical gears aren't completely superior with them having more torque on the gear shaft, which is why spur gears seem to be superior in chosen situations, mainly racing cars and high torque situations.

That is not true. Helical have more teeth meshing so less stress for a given torque. Straight cut gears are preferred for some situations because they have no thrust force. That means cases and bearings can be weaker and lighter but the gears will have to be a bit larger than the equivalent helical gears.

Although I suspect the cost effectiveness of spur gears still stands for small business owners that don't have access to a mechanical engineering team with money for mass production lines. Making a customized helical gear(fitting certain dimensions) would thus perhaps still be less cost effective, since spur gears are more expensive to make until at the level of a massive corporation.

In most cases it's much more common to design to suit off the shelve parts (including gears) than try to make everything in house. I'd guess even a company like Toyota don't make their own gears - Gear companies have the plant and have done the R&D already.

That is not true. Helical have more teeth meshing so less stress for a given torque. Straight cut gears are preferred for some situations because they have no thrust force. That means cases and bearings can be weaker and lighter but the gears will have to be a bit larger than the equivalent helical gears.In most cases it's much more common to design to suit off the shelve parts (including gears) than try to make everything in house. I'd guess even a company like Toyota don't make their own gears - Gear companies have the plant and have done the R&D already.

 

Related to Bevel Gear Design: Choosing Between Straight and Spiral Bevel Gears

1. What is the difference between a bevel gear and a spiral bevel gear?

A bevel gear is a type of gear with a cone-shaped surface that is used to transmit power between intersecting shafts. It has straight teeth that are cut along the surface of the cone. A spiral bevel gear, on the other hand, has curved teeth that are cut in a spiral pattern along the surface of the cone. This design allows for smoother and more efficient power transmission.

2. What are the advantages of using a spiral bevel gear over a traditional bevel gear?

One of the main advantages of a spiral bevel gear is its ability to handle higher loads and torque. The curved teeth provide more surface area for contact, allowing for a larger load-carrying capacity. Additionally, the spiral design reduces noise and vibration, making it ideal for high-speed and high-precision applications.

3. Can a bevel gear and a spiral bevel gear be used interchangeably?

No, bevel gears and spiral bevel gears are not interchangeable. The difference in tooth design and surface contact means that they cannot mesh properly and will not function correctly if used interchangeably. It is important to select the appropriate gear type for the specific application.

4. What factors should be considered when choosing between a bevel gear and a spiral bevel gear?

When selecting between these two gear types, factors such as load, speed, precision, noise level, and application requirements should be taken into consideration. Spiral bevel gears are typically more expensive and require more precise manufacturing, so they are usually reserved for high-performance applications where noise and vibration must be minimized.

5. How are bevel gears and spiral bevel gears commonly used in industrial applications?

Bevel gears and spiral bevel gears are commonly used in a variety of industrial applications that involve intersecting shafts. They are often found in power transmission systems, such as in automobiles, construction equipment, and heavy machinery. They are also used in precision instruments, such as aircraft engines and medical equipment.