wormtandwiel

Wormtandwiel, or worm gear, is a gear arrangement consisting of a screw-like worm that engages a toothed wheel (the worm wheel). The worm is typically driven by a shaft at a right angle to the axis of the worm wheel. This configuration provides large reduction ratios in a relatively compact package.

The key components are the worm, which acts as a screw, and the worm wheel, a cylindrical gear whose teeth mesh with the worm threads. The gear ratio depends on the number of wheel teeth and the number of starts (threads) on the worm. A single-start worm yields a ratio close to the wheel teeth count, while multi-start worms increase the advance per turn and thus reduce the ratio accordingly. The contact between worm and wheel is predominantly sliding friction, and the wheel’s teeth are usually softer or treated to accommodate this.

Wormtandwielen offer several advantages, including high torque multiplication, smooth and quiet operation, and compact form factors. They can also provide self-locking behavior in which the wheel cannot easily drive the worm, depending on the lead angle, materials, and lubrication. However, efficiency is generally lower than other gear types, and back-driving can occur under certain conditions. Wear and heat generation are considerations, making proper lubrication and alignment important.

Materials and manufacturing commonly involve steel for the worm and bronze or hardened steel for the worm wheel to optimize wear and lubrication. Applications include machine tools, lifting and positioning systems, conveyors, and compact gearboxes in robotics and automation.