1. What is Gear Ratio?

The gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth between two meshing gears. It determines the relationship between the rotational speeds and torques of the connected shafts.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equations:

Where:

• \( T1 \) — Number of teeth on first gear
• \( T2 \) — Number of teeth on second gear
• \( Speed1 \) — Input speed (rpm)
• \( Torque1 \) — Input torque (Nm)
• \( Speed2 \) — Output speed (rpm)
• \( Torque2 \) — Output torque (Nm)

Explanation: When two gears mesh together, the gear with more teeth will rotate slower but with increased torque compared to the smaller gear.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Proper gear ratio selection is crucial for matching motor performance to load requirements, optimizing efficiency, and achieving desired speed-torque characteristics in mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth for both gears, input speed (rpm), and input torque (Nm). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if I use a gear ratio greater than 1?
A: A ratio > 1 means the output speed decreases while torque increases (speed reduction). This is typical in most applications.

Q2: What about a ratio less than 1?
A: A ratio < 1 means the output speed increases while torque decreases (speed multiplication). This is less common but used in some applications.

Q3: How does gear ratio affect efficiency?
A: While gear ratio changes speed and torque, actual efficiency depends on gear type, quality, lubrication, and other mechanical factors.

Q4: Can I use this for belt and pulley systems?
A: Yes, the same principles apply if you substitute teeth count with pulley diameters.

Q5: What's the difference between gear ratio and velocity ratio?
A: For ideal gears with no slip, they're the same. In real systems, velocity ratio might differ slightly due to manufacturing tolerances.