The pinion shaft is a unit consisting of two separate elements combined into a single mechanism with the functions of a shaft and a pinion. The pinion shaft is used to transfer the torque from one shaft to another by engaging the gears with each other. The monolithic design of such a unit has a significant drawback and can only double the diameter of the shaft itself, while the method of installing the gear with a nozzle allows this figure to be increased several times.
Strong but subject to wear
In the manufacture of the gear shaft, only high-quality high-strength materials are used, but this is not a guarantee of durability, since this part is quickly worn out. Constant work as a leading degree of torque transmission from one shaft to another leads to material wear and this has nothing to do with incorrect calculations and production shortcomings. Only constant maximum loads cause rapid wear of the pinion shaft, so there is a need for periodic replacement.
Production and types of gear shafts
The degree of wear directly depends on the way the gear is attached to the shaft, according to this criterion, two main types can be distinguished:
- monolithic pinion shaft manufactured in one production cycle;
- a separately manufactured pinion shaft, which is mounted on the shaft and fixed with the selected type of connection (hot nozzle method, splined, etc.).
A more reliable option is the first type, it is more durable, but its main drawback was written above (the excess over the shaft diameter is possible only twice). Often, the ability to move the gear along the shaft is required, which is possible only in prefabricated structures. In this case, it becomes possible to use different diameters and shapes of the gear. This type of connection is the most practical and widely applicable, its indisputable advantage is the ability to replace only the worn out part.
The full production cycle includes labor-intensive processes such as cutting and milling teeth, grinding and polishing them. Here you cannot do without specialized equipment: making gears can only be done by firms equipped with such material and technical resources, and also employing specialists in a narrow-profile direction (turning, milling). Especially in need of constant use of gear shafts in various drive mechanisms and gearboxes.
