Planetary Gearheads

Planetary gearheads are available in both flange output and shaft output configurations. Flange is supported by cross roller bearing, which provides low run-out and high concentricity. Precision planetary gearheads are composed of satellite gears, a carrier plate with pins to fit the inside diameters of the satellite gears. They also contain annular gear forming the case of the gearhead.

Types of Planetary Gearheads
Planetary gearhead can be single-stage or multi-stage. In single-stage planetary gearhead, there are three satellite gears and a carrier plate to which a shaft is attached that protrudes through the bearings for coupling to the load to be driven. In multi-stage planetary gearheads, only the final stage has a shaft attached to the carrier plate.

Characteristics
They eliminate backlash creep. Low backlash is achieved by making a tight fit between the gears. This tight fit is achieved by adjustment of machining tolerances to create an interference fit between gears and controlling the gear mesh of bevel-like gears with shims and washers. The ring gear is designed to allow a small amount of elastic radial deformation. They have high strength and high torsional rigidity.

Application
Planetary gearheads are used in applications where relatively high torque is involved. By distributing the forces over several gears, the gearhead is capable of carrying higher torque without damage to gears or premature lubrication degradation. Typical applications include packaging, automation, semiconductor equipment, and machine tools.