What is a Servo Motor and What Happens when a Plastic Gearbox is Used with it?

A servo motor combined with a plastic gearbox is capable of doing impressive things. But before we delve into that, let us first know the basics.

What is a Servo Motor?

A servo motor is one of many high precision tools used in processes which are required to be highly dynamic and accurate. While it is most commonly used in robotics, every electromechanical project will be so much better when a servo motor is applied. Specifically, it is a device that provides precise control of speed, torque and position. And, generally, it works better than other pneumatic or hydraulic actuation devices.

A servo motor contains an encoder and a driver. These two converts mechanical motion into digital pulses and make up a circuit that is responsible for the position, torque and speed of an application they are used in. They can be found, not only in robotics, but also in certain appliances we have at home, in camera zooms, elevators and toys, and popular devices such as drones.

What is a Gearbox?

A gearbox, on the other hand, is a set of gears within a casing. The gears inside vary in sizes and number of teeth. This is for the purpose of catering to different demands in speed and torque. It is also known as a transmission system, and can commonly be found in motor vehicles.

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Specifically, it consists of:

  1. An input shaft that spins at a certain rpm (usually from a motor or power unit)
  2. An output shaft rotating at a different speed from the input shaft’s rpm
  3. A set of gears held in place by a housing

Advantages of Using a Servo Motor with a Gearbox

Servo motors have become stronger, smaller and more advanced over the years, and continue to do so. With this kind of advancement, why is it necessary to use your servo motor with gear and a gearbox?

The answer to this question is mainly because the combination of these two devices results to better functioning. Here are the things that happen when a servo motor works with a gearbox, making them more advantageous for specific applications.

  • Torque multiplication is achieved when a gear box is used with the servo motor; this makes it possible to use a small servo motor to drive a large load.
  • Transmission robustness is improved when a servo motor is used with a gear box in high torque applications; in addition to that, servo motors are more costs efficient compared to other alternative actuations that perform similar functions.
  • Direction modification of power delivery is possible with servo motor applications coupled with gearboxes with bevel or miter gear components; e.g. resulting in drive direction perpendicular to the direction of power unit.
  • Servo size selection and load matching in applications, i.e. inertia matching. If servo is too big to drive a small load, then the costs would be unnecessarily high. However, if the servo motor is too small it would result in unnecessarily high power draw and even premature damage to drive system. Incorporating a gearbox with a servo motor allows a small servo motor to be used for larger loads in a process that is called the inertia matching.
  • Motion control in applications such as robotics. Servo motor enables a device to move faster, more accurately and without interruption; resulting in smoother, faster and continuous movements of the robots.

Now, when choosing a gearbox for a servo motor, it is essential that you follow a certain criteria that will suit the purpose you have in mind. And getting your plastic gearbox from a high precision injection moulding manufacturer is essential.

If you are wondering what kind of gearbox will work best with your servo motor, simply connect with us at Kore Industries and we will be delighted to answer your questions. Click the Contact Us button below for a discussion at no obligation to you.

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