Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob2713g
What are the best ways to build a gearbox with a worm drive included?
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Find one that's already built! Here are some places I would recommend starting:
-http://www.applied.com/apps/commerce/catalog/catalog.do?e=2&c=1960
-http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?p=566568#post566568
-http://bostongear.com/products/enclosed/wgsr.html
I would NOT suggest buying from McMaster Carr. McMaster only sells cast iron worms, which will turn to dust after a few matches.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob2713g
What are good material choices and types of gears? Both for arm applications, or for drive train applications.
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We used a worm gear on our arm - both to get the desired reduction and eliminate backlash. The housing consisted of a piece of 1/4" thick boxed aluminum, the spur gear was bronze, and the worm was made from stainless steel. The gears were purchased from
Applied Technologies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob2713g
If you have built a worm drive gearbox what were some problems you experienced, and what are some tips and tricks you would recommend?
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The
first worm drive gearbox we built this year was too weak to handle the loads on our arm. The housing was made from 1/8" wall aluminum and the shafts were cold-rolled 3/8" steel. After a little testing the housing had become distorted and the output shaft was bent
The second worm drive was beefier! We used 1/4" aluminum for the housing, and switched to 5/8" shafts made from 01 tool steel - which we had hardened.
Basically: make it strong and accurate and it will last forever. We built a spare and never had to use it.