While spur gears have been the conventional gear shape that have been around so long, they’re not the only type that’s making a name in the gear industry. The next commonly used gear type is known as helical gears. Like spur gears, they also have a cylindrical shape but they have teeth wrapping around the gear which forms a helix shape, hence, the name. What makes this gear form becoming more popular is because it fills in the gaps where spur gears failed to perform. When used in improper applications, spur gears have the tendency to get more damaged and produce louder noise when running at high speeds.
Now, when it comes to helical gears, you might be already aware that their elongated teeth run an angle along the gears axis. However, there could be more amazing facts about helical gear that you probably don’t know yet. These include the following:
- Perfect for low-noise application: Unlike spur gears with teeth producing a slapping action, the tooth contact of helical gears happens in a sliding action. This is why they are quieter than spur gears.
- They can also be called skew gears: It’s just logical to think that the teeth of a helical gear runs parallel with each other since they are angled. However, in some cases, they can also run crossed to each other and they’re called skew gears when used in this way.
- Can be more challenging to manufacture: While a standard helical gear is easy to produce, double helical gears or two gears being stacked on top of each other and with slanting teeth in opposite angles, can be more difficult to manufacture. However, they don’t pose a thrust problem which is very likely with a helical gear.
So, if you think that helical gears are suitable for your project, just get in touch with True Gear today and we’ll help you find the best gear you need.