A Brief Guide To Understand Spiral and Straight Gearboxes

Industries commonly use multi-turn bevel gearboxes to operate different types of machines. However, when it comes to choosing the type of bevel gearbox, the clouds of confusion often cover the brain. In most cases, the debate comes down to two primary contenders - straight and spiral bevel gearboxes. 

Even though both of them offer efficiency and performance, deciding the right fit might become overwhelming. Thus, this blog briefly explores the difference between the two to help you understand.

Before getting into basic differences, please know the bevel gear has a conical shape. The division between spiral and straight comes from the way the teeth are shaped - spirally or straight down and up.

How is a spiral bevel better than a straight bevel?

Spiral bevel gearboxes are apt for applications like steel manufacturing, cooling towers, food processing and packaging, wind turbines, robotics, material handling, printing presses, and other industries or applications requiring speed reduction, high speed, high torque, and frequent load cycles or continuous operation.

Some basis of comparison between the two are:

Shock loading

The immediate impact of straight bevel gearboxes when rotating increases the chances of shock loading. This can damage or wear the premature replacement.

Noise

Straight teeth gears, when rotating, impact each other at once. As a result, they generate clattering noise. On the contrary, spiral teeth gears mesh slowly and gently with every turn, making the operation quieter.

Overheating

Straight bevel gears frequently come in contact with the equipment, increasing friction and, ultimately, the risk of overheating.

Axial thrust

The bevel gears' conical shape encourages axial thrust production with every rotation. Whereas in spiral bevel gears, the production of axial thrust changes depending on their rotational direction. All of this happens due to the tooth's curved design.

Vibration

Spiral bevel gears not only produce less sound but also fewer vibrations during the procedure, making them efficient.

Durability and strength

Straight bevel gearboxes often stay under great pressure and impact, increasing the chances of breakage. On the contrary, spiral bevel gearboxes are stronger, and they wear off gradually.

Which gearbox style is better?

It is important to note that both gearboxes by manufacturers like Viral Industries bring their own characteristics and benefits. However, the ideal gearbox style relevant to your use case depends on the operating environment and specific application. Even though some considerations, like noise, may be functional, some will definitely be preferential. So, choose wisely.

Additionally, either bevel gearbox type will only work in the following cases:

- The shaft needs to change rotational direction

- The shafts are on the same plane

- The shaft intersection occurs at odd angles (particularly right)

Wrapping up

Understanding both the gearboxes and determining the ideal one according to your requirements is essential to have your operations run smoothly.

When choosing, make sure to source from a reliable multi-turn bevel gearbox manufacturer.