Ex.

No: 5 Date: 15/11/2022

Individual report

Worm and Worm wheel reducer

Aim:

To study about construction, working and applications Worm and Worm wheel
Reducer.

What is Worm wheel or Worm gear?

The worm gears are widely used for transmitting power at high velocity ratios
between non-intersecting shafts that are generally, but not necessarily, at right angles. It can give
velocity ratios as high as 300 : 1 or more in a single step in a minimum of space, but it has a lower
efficiency. The worm gearing is mostly used as a speed reducer, which consists of worm and a
worm wheel or gear. The worm (which is the driving member) is usually of a cylindrical form
having threads of the same shape as that of an involute rack. The threads of the worm may be left
handed or right handed and single or multiple threads. The worm wheel or gear (which is the
driven member) is similar to a helical gear with a face curved to conform to the shape of the
worm. The worm is generally made of steel while the worm gear is made of bronze or cast iron for
light service. The worm gearing is classified as non-interchangeable, because a worm wheel cut
with a hob of one diameter will not operate satisfactorily with a worm of different diameter, even
if the thread pitch is same.

Types of Worms

1. Cylindrical or straight worm

2. Cone or double enveloping worm.

The cylindrical or straight worm is most commonly used. The shape of the thread is involute
helicoid of pressure angle 14 ½° for single and double threaded worms and 20° for triple and
quadruple threaded worms. The worm threads are cut by a straight sided milling cutter having its
diameter not less than the outside diameter of worm or greater than 1.25 times the outside
diameter of worm. The cone or double enveloping worm is used to some extent, but it requires
extremely accurate alignment.
Types of Worm Gears

1. Straight face worm gear

2. Hobbed straight face worm gear

3. Concave face worm gear

 Straight face worm gear

The straight face worm gear is like a helical gear in which the straight
teeth are cut with a form cutter. Since it has only point contact with the worm
thread, therefore it is used for light service.
 The Hobbed straight face worm gear
The Hobbed straight face worm gear is also used for light service but its
teeth are cut with a hob, after which the outer surface is turned.
 Concave face worm gear
The concave face worm gear is the accepted standard form and is used
for all heavy service and general industrial uses. The teeth of this gear are cut
with a hob of the same pitch diameter as themating worm to increase the
contact area.

Construction of Worm gear

In designing a worm and worm gear, the quantities like the power transmitted,
speed, velocity ratio and the centre distance between the shafts are usually given and the
quantities such as lead angle, lead and number of threads on the worm are to be determined. In
order to determine the satisfactory combination of lead angle, lead and centre distance, the
following method may be used.
 The centre distance may be expressed in terms of the axial lead (l), lead angle
(λ) and velocity ratio (V.R.), as follows :

In terms of normal lead (the above expression may be written as

:

1. Axial pitch. It is also known as linear pitch of a worm. It is the distance

measured axially (i.e. parallel to the axis of worm) from a point on one thread to
the corresponding point on the adjacent thread on the worm. It may be noted
that the axial pitch (pa) of a worm is equal to the circular pitch ( pc ) of the mating
worm gear, when the shafts are at right angles.
 2. Lead. It is the linear distance through which a point on a thread moves ahead
in one revolution of the worm. For single start threads, lead is equal to the axial
pitch, but for multiple start threads, lead is equal to the product of axial pitch and
number of starts. Mathematically, Lead, l = pa . n where pa = Axial pitch ; and n =
Number of starts.
3. Lead angle. It is the angle between the tangent to the thread helix on the pitch
cylinder and the plane normal to the axis of the worm. It is denoted by λ. A little
consideration will show that if one complete turn of a worm thread be imagined
to be unwound from the body of the worm, it will form an inclined plane whose
base is equal to the pitch circumference of the worm and altitude equal to lead of
the worm.

The lead angle (λ) may vary from 9° to 45°. It has been shown by F.A. Halsey
that a lead angle less than 9° results in rapid wear and the safe value of λ is 12½°.
 4. Tooth pressure angle. It is measured in a plane containing the axis of the
worm and is equal to one-half the thread profile angle.

5. Normal pitch. It is the distance measured along the normal to the threads
between two corresponding points on two adjacent threads of the worm.
Mathematically, Normal pitch

pN = [Link] λ

6. Helix angle. It is the angle between the tangent to the thread helix on the
pitch cylinder and the axis of the worm. It is denoted by αW. The worm helix
angle is the complement of worm lead angle

αW + λ = 90°

It may be noted that the helix angle on the worm is generally quite large and
that on the worm gear is very small. Thus, it is usual to specify the lead angle
(λ) on the worm and helix angle (αG) on the worm gear. These two angles are
equal for a 90° shaft angle.

7. Velocity ratio. It is the ratio of the speed of worm (NW) in r.p.m. to the
speed of the worm gear (NG) in r.p.m.

Efficiency of Worm Gearing

The efficiency of worm gearing may be defined as the ratio of work done by the worm
gear to the work done by the worm. Mathematically, the efficiency of worm gearing is given by

Working of Worm wheel Reducer

Worm Gear reducers are utilized in power transmission applications requiring

high ratio speed reduction in a limited space. The gears are used on right angle, non-intersecting
shafts. When properly aligned, worms and worm gears are the quietest and smoothest form of
gearing. One drawback of worm gearing is as the ratio of this gearing increase, the efficiency of the
gearing decreases. A worm gear reducer is a right angle speed reducer that allows the maximum
speed reduction in the smallest [Link] gear reducers are used in low to moderate
horsepower applications. They offer low initial cost, high ratios, and high output torque in a small
package. Worm gear reducers have a much higher tolerance for shock loading then helical gear
reducers. Many worm gear reducers are interchangeable between manufacturers.
Applications of Worm wheel reducer

[Link] Braking and Stopping Applications - These gear motors are commonly used in lifts, elevators,
and hoists. Worm gears are used in this equipment because of their stopping and holding ability
without an external brake. In some cases, these type of equipment uses a smaller brake combined
with a worm drive as its secondary brake. Although they have the ability to stop or hold without
external brakes, they should not be relied on as a solid breaking method.

[Link] Elimination for Gears - Worm gear motors are also used in theatres, airports, and
elevators. They are commonly used in these industries because worm gear motors offer more
quiet operation compared to other types of gears. The sliding engagement between the gear teeth
in worm drives are smoother and quieter.

[Link] Saving Applications - Worm gears are also used in the manufacturing and packaging
industries. They are used in packaging equipment, small machinery, and conveyors. They are ideal
for these types of equipment because they have fewer gear sets which achieve high gear ratios.
They require smaller gearboxes for these gear sets, making them a great space saver.

[Link] Loading Applications - Worm gear motors are designed to have one set of gear that is
made of softer metals which give them the ability to easily absorb the energy from sudden shock.
That’s why they are used in rock crushers and heavy duty machinery.
Worm gears are known to run smoothly and quietly, as long as they are properly mounted and
lubricated.

Due to these features, typical worm gear applications include presses, small engines, lifts and
elevators, rolling mills, conveying engineering, mining industry machines, on rudders, and worm
drive saws.

Result :

Thus, studied the construction, working and applications of Worm and Worm wheel
reducer.