Ideally, the gears in your machines will last forever. However, they’re moving parts made from earthly material, and eventually, they’ll experience wear and tear that interferes with their structural integrity. Most gears last for decades under the right conditions, far surpassing their intended needs, but there are some factors that can influence how long a gear lasts.
These are the five influential factors that can cause gears to degrade:
- Gear type. Different types of gears bear more or less stress than others. Complex gears are more prone to bits of damage than simple gears, and gears with minimal direct contact, such as helical gears, suffer less stress over time.
- Material choice. Your choice in material also plays a role in how long a gear can last. Cast iron, steel, brass, bronze, and plastic are the most common materials for gears, but some are more brittle than others. Despite this, all of these materials have low friction coefficients and are easy to manufacture, making them ideal material choices.
- Manufacturing. The quality of the manufacturer you’re using will also impact the lifespan of your gears. Even one small imperfection in the manufacturing process can be enough to trigger accelerated degradation.
- Use. Different applications will have different levels of impact on your gears. For example, high-speed or high-stress environments will naturally wear your gears faster than their low-speed and low-stress counterparts.
- Lubrication. Some applications require gears to be lubricated before use. Without this lubricant, friction accumulates and can significantly damage your gears.
The biggest problem with gear lifespans is how quickly damage can accrue. One point of damage, such as warping or chipping the gear’s basic shape, can eventually cause more damage due to improper movement and functioning. The best way to prevent this type of damage is to work with an experienced gear manufacturer. If you’re ready for your next gear project, contact Federal Gear today!