What are the different types of gears?

Spur gears

Spur gears are the simplest and most common type of mechanical gears used across many industries. They consist of a cylindrical gear or disc with straight teeth arranged radially, designed to mesh with parallel shafts aligned with the axis of rotation.

This type of gear is commonly used in parallel-shaft transmission systems and moderate-speed applications, such as lifting equipment and various types of machinery, mainly due to its cost-effectiveness and low maintenance requirements.

Spur gears offer several advantages, including a simple design and manufacturing process, the ability to transmit high power, a constant and stable speed ratio, higher efficiency compared to other gear types of similar size, and the absence of axial thrust.

Bevel gears

Bevel gears are used to transmit power between intersecting shafts, typically at a right angle. Their conical shape allows for an efficient change in direction while ensuring reliable mechanical power transmission.

There are several types of bevel gears, including three commonly used designs:

• Straight bevel gears: These are the most common type of bevel gears. Their straight, tapered teeth mesh simultaneously rather than engaging progressively, provided they are properly matched.
• Helical bevel gears: This type of bevel gear is often used in applications that require both quiet operation and efficient power transfer, thanks to smoother tooth engagement.
• Spiral bevel gears: Featuring curved tooth lines, spiral bevel gears provide improved tooth contact compared to straight bevel gears, resulting in smoother operation and higher load capacity.

Helical gears

The teeth of helical gears, whether single or double, are cut at an angle that can reach up to 45 degrees. Double helical gears feature two sets of teeth on the same gear, with opposing helix angles separated by a central groove, allowing them to be more resistant to vibrations and shock loads.

Compared to spur gears, helical gears can withstand heavier loads, operate more quietly, generate less vibration, and function at higher speeds, making them suitable for demanding power transmission applications.

Worm gears

Worm gears consist of a pair of helical gears operating at a 45-degree shaft angle. They are used on non-parallel and non-intersecting shafts and have a lower load capacity due to single-tooth contact.

A worm gear system is commonly used in applications where high precision and accurate motion control are required, such as machine tools. 

Herringbone gear

A herringbone gear consists of two helical gears joined side by side, which allows the axial forces generated by helical gears to be cancelled out.

Herringbone gears are used in applications involving heavy loads, where it is essential to minimize noise and vibrations while ensuring reliable power transmission. 

Types of mechanical gears: learn more with Cordm

Knowing the different types of gears is essential to choosing the one that best suits your needs and ensuring the proper operation of your systems. We hope this section has helped you learn more and that mechanical gears now hold no secrets for you. 
Whether you need spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, mechanical gear reducers, pinions, or other types of industrial gears, Cordm has the solution for you. Our experts are here to guide you through every step of the industrial gear selection process and to answer all your questions. At Cordm, we also offer a full range of services, from gear manufacturing and grinding to gear calculation and gear cutting, in order to meet your specific requirements.