1. What is Gear Train Ratio?

The gear train ratio represents the overall speed or torque transformation through a series of gears. It is calculated as the product of individual gear ratios in the train.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gear train ratio formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Individual Ratio}_i \) — Ratio of each gear pair in the train
• \( n \) — Number of gear pairs in the train
• \( \prod \) — Product of all individual ratios

Explanation: Each gear pair's ratio multiplies together to determine the overall speed reduction or increase through the entire gear train.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio Calculation

Details: Accurate gear ratio calculation is essential for designing mechanical systems, determining output speed and torque, and ensuring proper power transmission in machinery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter individual gear ratios separated by commas. All values must be positive numbers representing the ratio of each gear pair (e.g., "2.5, 1.8, 3.2").

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical gear ratio range?
A: Gear ratios typically range from 1:1 to 10:1 for single pairs, but compound gear trains can achieve much higher overall ratios.

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 decrease torque.

Q3: What's the difference between speed ratio and torque ratio?
A: They are inversely related - the speed ratio is the inverse of the torque ratio in an ideal system without losses.

Q4: Can this calculator handle compound gear trains?
A: Yes, simply input the ratio of each gear pair in the order they appear in the train.

Q5: What about planetary gear systems?
A: Planetary gear systems require more complex calculations and cannot be accurately calculated with this simple product formula.