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Right angle gearboxes save energy
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13/02/2007
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New right angle helical gearboxes have efficiencies of up to 97%, far better than traditional worm and wheel gearboxes that can be as low as 65%.
Fenner Series K gearboxes use an efficient helical reduction input stage in front of the main helical bevel gear. Bevel helical units are more expensive to produce and require more advanced machining techniques than worms and wheels, but the costs of producing good quality bevel units in the UK has been reduced due to improved production efficiencies at a time of increased energy costs. Running costs have now increased to the point where the initial purchase price may be recovered in a few months by energy savings. Furthermore, a bevel helical unit will outlast a worm unit, reducing maintenance costs and disruption as well as maintaining low backlash characteristics and high precision throughout its operating life.
When a Wyko customer was supplied with a trial Series K unit as a replacement for a 12-inch worm box with a 50:1 ration, running for 3,500 hours/year, power consumption was reduced from 140,000 to 108,250kWh. At £0.06 per kWh, this represented an energy cost reduction from £8400 per annum to £6495 – a saving of £1905.
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Author
Tom Shelley
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