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Gear Explainer

cpaxton.github.io · 1,713 words · saved by 1 readers

Demos use conjugate tooth profiles with mesh clearance readouts — run slowly or step frame-by-frame to inspect contact. Est. weight · cost in each demo are order-of-magnitude guides for ~100–200 mm-class reducers (not quotes). Toggle Clearance for the green mesh-gap indicator; Wobble trace shows off-axis shake (cycloidal uses disc mass centroids when a counter disc cancels shake). URL overrides: ?clearance=1, ?wobble=0. Gears translate rotation from one shaft to another, often changing speed and torque in the process. A motor might spin at thousands of RPM, but a robot arm joint needs slow, powerful motion — gear reduction bridges that gap. Different mechanisms trade off efficiency, size, backlash, backdrivability, cost, and complexity. Simple spur gears are easy to understand; planetary, cycloidal, and harmonic drives pack large reduction ratios into compact packages. Demos use conjugate profiles and mesh clearance readouts on spur, planetary, cycloidal (fixed-pin), and harmonic drive

Chris Paxton · About · Blog · X How different gear mechanisms work — notes and interactive demos. Overlays: Demos use conjugate tooth profiles with mesh clearance readouts — run slowly or step frame-by-frame to inspect contact. Est. weight · cost in each demo are order-of-magnitude guides for ~100–200 mm-class reducers (not quotes). Toggle Clearance for the green mesh-gap indicator; Wobble trace shows off-axis shake (cycloidal uses disc mass centroids when a counter disc cancels shake). URL overrides: ?clearance=1, ?wobble=0. Introduction Gears translate rotation from one shaft to…

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