Hi, it’s Morio here. In this fourth installment of our series on the SPC50, I’m shining a spotlight on the gears that play a crucial role in the feeding mechanism.
In the SPC50, a single servo motor drives a set of feed rollers (upper and lower). To efficiently distribute the power from the motor and the reducer to the upper and lower feed shafts, we’ve opted for helical gears, characterized by their spiral-arranged teeth.
The primary reason for choosing helical gears lies in their strength and durability. The larger contact area of the teeth allows them to withstand significant loads, achieving both compactness and robust performance. Additionally, because the teeth of these gears engage gradually, torque transmission is smoothed, and vibration is reduced. This extends the lifespan of both the gears themselves and the entire machine, while also minimizing maintenance efforts. Indeed, these gears are quietly efficient and long-lasting.
However, there are drawbacks. Manufacturing helical gears requires advanced technology due to their complexity, which can lead to higher costs. Yet, the precision and performance of the feeding mechanism are very important. For this reason, we prioritize accuracy and performance in our feeding mechanisms and choose to use these gears.
Another consideration is the axial force generated by using helical gears. In applications like feeding mechanisms, where both the frequency and speed of use are high, this can lead to the feed shafts moving forward over time due to the structural load. Addressing this issue requires attention to both (1) the design of the helical gears themselves and (2) the bearings.
(1) As for the helical gears themselves, ……. (it’s a company secret) ………………………………….. …….. (I heard our technical engieers (Designing, Part Procurement, Manufacturing, and Test Operation) made great effort and challenge, for example to reduce noise.) ………………… Lubrication is also a critical point, which we’ll cover in the next installment.
(2) Regarding bearings, we plan to delve deeper into this topic in future blog posts.
SPC50 is now being exhibited at our Chiryu Center.
Video of SPC50 is also posted in our Youtube site.
SPC50 180pcs./min. High Speed Production
Our deep dive into technology continues. “Dig here, Bowwow!!” Stay tuned for more!