The analysis, design, and fabrication for this gear box with a sliding transmission system provided many insights. They are summarized as accomplishments and lessons learned.
- Accomplishments
- Demonstrated that design of gear sizes can be used to control output speed/torque.
- Implemented a sliding transmission system which allowed for multiple speed settings in one gear box.
- Lessons Learned
- Friction in the system has two significant consequences:
- Sticky points between gears leads to power losses, preventing smooth operation with a motor input.
- Interference in the sliding transmission hurts gear shifting.
- Friction in the system has two significant consequences:
In the future, the following recommendations should be followed in order to improve performance.
- Friction throughout the system should be considered and minimized. A few options are as follows.
- Ensure gear teeth surfaces are smooth with thorough sanding.
- Use ball bearings for the input and output shaft interfaces with the gear box housing.
- Ensure all shafts are as concentric as possible with their intended axes of rotation. Attention should be paid to the distance between shafts.
- Ensure motor axis of rotation is as concentric as possible with the input shaft.
- Consider a motor with higher power output in order to overcome friction challenges.