Helical geared motors Manufacturers online

Helical geared motors are used when high forces are required at low speed and in a compact design.

They are compact units consisting of an electric motor and a helical gearbox and are used for efficient torque transmission while reducing the speed at the same time.

Below you will find an overview of the structure, functionality and variants of helical geared motors, as well as an overview of their areas of application and their advantages and disadvantages:

Structure of helical geared motors:

Typical helical geared motors consist of:

1. AC/DC electric motor, with or without brushes.
2. Helical gearbox with several pairs of gears.
3. Housing (usually made of cast iron or aluminum)
4. Output shaft with high torque and low speed.
5. Bearings and seals.

The gears are usually arranged parallel to each other and mesh directly, hence the name "spur gear".

How helical geared motors work:

The mode of operation is based on a simple principle of power transmission:

1. The electric motor generates a high speed with a relatively low torque.
2. This rotary motion is transmitted to one or more gear stages via the helical gearbox.
3. In each stage, the speed is reduced and the torque is increased at the same time.
4. The desired combination of low speed and high torque is available at the output of the gearbox.

The ratio of input speed to output speed is referred to as the transmission ratio (i). Typical ratios range from 3:1 to over 100:1.

Variants of helical geared motors:

1. With brake motor for holding function, e.g. in vertical conveyor systems.
2. With frequency inverter for variable speeds.
3. With multi-stage gearbox for higher ratios.
4. IEC flange connection for better interchangeability.
5. Special versions for e.g. explosion-protected areas (ATEX).

Use of helical geared motors:

1. Industrial applications:
Conveyor technology (e.g. roller conveyors, belt conveyors)
Packaging machines, filling systems
Machine tools
Automatic assembly machines

2. Machine and plant construction:
Mixing plants
Elevators, lifting systems
Pump drives
Gate drives

3. Vehicle technology:
Auxiliary drives in commercial vehicles
Electrically assisted axle drives

4. Agriculture and environmental technology:
Stable and conveyor systems
Sewage treatment plants, e.g. screw pumps, screens

5. Building technology:
Roller shutters
Ventilation systems
Roof drives

Advantages of helical geared motors:

• Compact design with high performance
• High efficiency (typically 90-96 % per stage)
• Robust and durable
• Good transmission accuracy
• Cost-efficient compared to other gearbox types, e.g. planetary gearboxes.
• Quite low maintenance with closed lubrication.

Disadvantages of helical geared motors:

• Less suitable for extremely high ratios, e.g. > 500:1.
• Noise development possible at high speeds.
• Axes are not coaxial, unlike planetary gearboxes, for example.

Helical geared motors are proven, versatile drives with high efficiency and robustness. They offer an excellent combination of economy, performance and reliability. Thanks to their modular design, they can be easily adapted to individual requirements - from simple machines to highly automated production systems.

Here is an overview of the most important criteria to consider when purchasing helical geared motors:

When purchasing helical geared motors, it is crucial to comprehensively consider technical requirements, operating environment, cost-effectiveness and long-term operational reliability. A well-thought-out selection prevents breakdowns, oversizing and unnecessary maintenance costs.

• The key factor is determining the required output power, i.e. the torque and speed at the output. This results in the necessary transmission ratio. Not only nominal operation, but also load peaks and operating cycles should be taken into account.
• An oversized drive is inefficient, too expensive and larger than necessary. An undersized motor risks overheating, increased wear and premature failure.
• The ambient conditions have a major influence on the choice of material, type of protection and design:
• Temperature ranges (e.g. cold/heat ranges)
• Moisture or wetness (IP protection class required)
• Dust, dirt, chemicals or potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
• Hygiene requirements (food, pharmaceutical industry)
• Indoor or outdoor use
• Actuators for demanding environments require special seals, coatings or stainless steel housings.
• The space available at the installation site determines the required design of the geared motor:
• Position of the output shaft (horizontal/vertical)
• Design with flange, foot or combined mounting
• Solid output shaft or with hollow shaft
• Center distance and installation orientation (note bearing forces)
• The total weight can also play a role, for example in mobile applications or in lightweight carrier systems.
• Mains supply and control. Compatibility with the existing electrical system is important:
• Mains voltage (e.g. 230 V, 400 V, 50/60 Hz)
• Frequency converter operation (variable speed)
• DC or AC motor (depending on requirements)
• Existing control technology (e.g. digital connection, soft starter)
• Modern geared motors also offer integrated control electronics or sensors for condition monitoring.
• Energy consumption is crucial, especially for continuous operation or larger drives. Attention should therefore be paid to the motor energy efficiency class, e.g. IE3 or IE4.
• The gearbox itself should also have a high mechanical efficiency, which is typically the case with helical gearboxes (better than worm gearboxes).
• A professionally used geared motor should require as little maintenance as possible and offer a long service life under full load. Important points are:
• High-quality bearings and seals.
• Permanent lubrication or closed oil lubrication.
• Low-wear materials.
• Availability of spare parts.
• Some manufacturers also offer condition monitoring systems that record vibration, temperature or lubricant condition.
• Depending on the area of application, it makes sense to rely on modular systems in which:
• Motors with different outputs can be combined
• Outputs are available in different waveforms or mountings
• Additional functions (e.g. brake, encoder, fan) can be easily integrated
• This facilitates adaptations and retrofitting in system construction.
• Certain certifications are required in many industries:
• CE conformity (generally required)
• ATEX certification (explosion-protected areas)
• UL/CSA approval (for export to the USA/Canada)
• Hygienic design (EHEDG, FDA) for foodstuffs
• Marine/railway approval, depending on special application
• Internal company standards or specifications can also provide concrete requirements.
• A reliable partner can be crucial during operation, especially for critical systems.
• A high-quality geared motor can be cheaper in the long term due to lower operating costs than a cheap solution with frequent failures.

Purchasing a helical geared motor requires a holistic view of technical, economic and logistical factors. A carefully selected drive not only increases system availability and efficiency, but also reduces long-term operating costs. Close coordination with engineering, production and maintenance as well as a reliable supply partner are key to sustainable success.

Helical geared motors can be purchased from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Helical geared motors around the world on Exportpages.