Planetary technology is top gear

Machine builders should incorporate high quality precision planetary gears that can help their clients boost output and reduce unnecessary down-time of motion control systems.

An ideal gearbox is one that offers lower input bearing friction. APEX Dynamics UK, a supplier of high precision gearboxes to the food, packaging and automotive sectors, offers two types of inline precision gear technologies, the economy straight cut gear, and the helical cut gear, which delivers torque capacity and precision options.

To produce gearboxes with long life and high torque transmission, APEX Dynamics has an in-house Plasma Nitriding heat treatment process to maintain the tooth surface hardness at 840HV for wear-resistance and core hardness at 30Rc for toughness. The company inspects every component for depth and consistency of hardness to guarantee quality.

Innovative, patented design offers full concentricity and alignment from input shaft to output shaft, reducing indifferent thermal expansion and heat build-up, while sealing with hi-tech ball burnished surfaces creates superior contact interface and low breakaway friction, with the dual lipped spring-loaded Teflon coated Viton seals promoting exceptional efficiency. Special cut channels on the planet gears aid the flow of lubrication to the needle bearings during rotation reducing heat build-up and increasing life.

Supported by APEX Dynamics’ three-week or less lead times and unique five-year warranty, planetary gears offer higher and more accurate transmission than a standard single tooth connection as you have more teeth engaged at all times transmitting torque to the output instead of one gear meaning much higher loads are achievable.

A smart lubricant pump system complements the company’s quality products. APEX Dynamics’ fully automatic lubrication technology is suitable for any motion system in sectors such as medical, packaging, automotive, machine tool, material handling and metal forming, as it reduces friction between moving parts.

Smart technology controls the flow of lubricant according to the particular application, extending the life of the components it services. Over lubricating not only contaminates the environment, but also wastes lubrication. Fill monitoring indicates when the reservoir needs to be replaced.

Based in Uttoxeter, APEX Dynamics supplies an entire range of servomotor- related gearhead solutions, including inline and right-angle planetary gearboxes, as well as spiral bevel gearboxes for customers in numerous markets, in fact any sector that uses automation, robotics or other high precision industrial machinery.