1. What is a Gear Ratio?

Definition: The gear ratio 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 of a gear system, showing how much speed is reduced and torque is increased.

2. How Does the Gear Ratio Formula 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: A gear ratio greater than 1 indicates speed reduction and torque multiplication, while a ratio less than 1 indicates speed increase and torque reduction.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio Calculation

Details: Proper gear ratio selection ensures optimal performance, efficiency, and longevity of mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth on both the driven and drive gears. Both values must be positive integers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a gear ratio of 3:1 mean?
A: It means the driven gear rotates once for every three rotations of the drive gear, increasing torque by 3 times while reducing speed by 1/3.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed and torque?
A: Higher gear ratios reduce output speed but increase torque, while lower ratios increase speed but reduce torque.

Q3: What's the difference between drive and driven gears?
A: The drive gear is connected to the power source, while the driven gear receives motion from the drive gear.

Q4: Can gear ratio be less than 1?
A: Yes, this indicates an overdrive situation where output speed increases at the expense of torque.

Q5: How do I calculate gear ratio for multiple gears?
A: Multiply individual gear ratios. For example, two 2:1 reductions in series create an overall 4:1 ratio.