Gearheads contain four ratios

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 26, 2007

ZF WTE gearheads enable motors to be upgraded without requiring gearbox replacement; whilst sealed-for-life internal gearing eliminates the need for maintenance.

ZF has launched a new range of compact WTE (WT Economy) single-stage right-angled gearheads for OEM designers and maintenance engineers who demand high levels of performance and flexibility from smaller, more cost-effective units.

A one-piece aluminium body offers lightweight and extremely rigid operation and allows the four ratios available to be housed in the same sized unit.

In addition, universal mounting, and the ability to fit all servomotors, enables motors to be upgraded without requiring gearbox replacement; whilst sealed-for-life internal gearing eliminates the need for maintenance.

By integrating the high-torque and low-backlash Gleason Hypoid tooth design and high-quality taper roller bearings the new WTE gearheads are able to offer accurate operation even in applications where there are high axial and radial loads.

The body design is machined from a single piece of cast aluminium, offering high levels of torque from a one-piece lightweight compact unit that lends itself for use in highly dynamic servo applications.

Levels of rigidity are also improved by the one-piece design, and the WTE range covers four ratios from 5:1 to 15:1 in the same sized unit, cutting design time and facilitating maintenance or upgrades.

ZF has designed the units to be compatible with the maximum number of servo applications in industries ranging from packaging to assembly.

The gearheads come with two shaft options; solid shaft with input flange/coupling and a choice of output flange mountings.

Designed to be mounted in any orientation and to fit almost any motor, the input flange and coupling assembly allows motors to be replaced with higher power versions or larger frame sizes, without the need to replace the gearhead.

A coupling based torque transfer assembly also allows adjustments to be made for minimising the machine vibration.

By shrink fitting the input shaft and gearwheel into the unit, fretting and levels of backlash are reduced to a minimum.

The compact design of the WTE gearheads is partly due to novel hypoid tooth pattern which permits high ratios from a smaller bevel gear system.

Parameter optimised for greater strength, the Gleason hypoid gears also keep inertia output torque to a minimum and ensure maximum transmission (minimal output torques up to 140Nm).

The design also saves on energy costs by offering operational efficiency of 96% and provides a very small moment of inertia at start up.

The range can cater for applications that require input speeds of up to 5000rev/min whilst creating low noise levels; between equal to or less than 66 and equal to or less than 68dB when running at 3000rev/min.

WTE gearheads are approved for use in Atex Zone II applications and are sealed for life units, avoiding the need for lubrication and offering a long nominal service life, typically up to 15,000 hours.