1. What is Gear Ratio?

Definition: Gear ratio (GR) is the ratio of the number of teeth on the driven gear to the number of teeth on the drive gear.

Purpose: It determines the mechanical advantage and speed ratio in gear systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( GR \) — Gear ratio (unitless)
• \( Driven \) — Number of teeth on driven gear
• \( Drive \) — Number of teeth on drive gear

Explanation: The ratio shows how many turns the drive gear must make to turn the driven gear once.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio

Details: Proper gear ratio selection affects torque, speed, and efficiency in mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on both gears. Values must be positive integers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a gear ratio greater than 1 mean?
A: It means the driven gear rotates slower than the drive gear (speed reduction, torque increase).

Q2: What does a gear ratio less than 1 mean?
A: It means the driven gear rotates faster than the drive gear (speed increase, torque reduction).

Q3: How is gear ratio related to mechanical advantage?
A: The gear ratio equals the mechanical advantage in an ideal, frictionless system.

Q4: Can gear ratio be expressed as a decimal?
A: Yes, gear ratios are often expressed as decimals (e.g., 2.5:1) or fractions (5:2).

Q5: What's the difference between gear ratio and velocity ratio?
A: They're equal in ideal conditions, but velocity ratio accounts for actual speed differences including slippage.