Speed Reducer Backlash

Speed Reducer Backlash For applications involving frequent starting and

Backlash is the amount of clearance between the stopping, reverse rotation while positioning, or that
meshing teeth of two mating gears (Figure 1). An have load reversals (when the torque changes direction
individual gear does not have backlash. In any gear causing separation and re-engagement of the tooth
set some amount of clearance is necessary for the flanks), a worm reducer with reduced backlash is
gear set to perform properly. recommended (See Winsmith S-Minimizer products that
are shipped with a maximum of 11 arc minutes). For
Backlash provides clearance for lubricant to enter
precise positioning applications requiring near zero
the gear mesh. It also compensates for tolerance
backlash, an adjustable precision-manufactured reducer
variations including gear geometry (tooth thickness,
is recommended (See Winsmith S-Eliminator products
run out, lead angle, tooth profile), assembled center
that are shipped with a maximum of 2 arc minutes).
distance, bearing run out, and thermal expansion.
Insufficient backlash may cause noise, overloading, Backlash Measurement
overheating of gears and bearings, possible seizing, Backlash is typically measured by restricting the
and failure. rotation of one the gears in a set and measuring
the rotational (arc) movement of the mating gear.
When measuring the backlash in worm gear reducers,
the arc movement of the output shaft and attached
WORM GEAR SETS
gear is measured while restricting the rotation of the
worm shaft. It is not correct to measure the worm arc
movement while restricting the gear rotation because

CLEARANCE ASSOCIATED
WITH BACKLASH Measuring Backlash
Appendix

HELICAL GEAR SETS

HOLD FIXED

CLEARANCE ASSOCIATED
WITH BACKLASH

Figure 1. Clearance between gear teeth

Figure 3. Fixed input

shaft while observing
Backlash in a worm gear set can change during the the backlash at the
operating life of the gear reducer. Any wear that output shaft ARC MOVEMENT AT 3" RADIUS
occurs will increase the space between the mating
components, resulting in an increase in backlash. The
majority of wear occurs during run-in when the gear
develops an operating surface consistent with the
driven load (Figure 2).

WORM ROTATION WORM ROTATION WORM ROTATION Figure 4. Positioning

of the equipment when
ENTRY LEAVING measuring the arc 3.00
SIDE SIDE movement of the backlash

the measured result will be much greater and is not an

Figure 2. Bronze Gear Run-In
indication of true tooth clearance. Axial clearance in
the worm bearing(s) will add to the arc movement of
the gear and appears as backlash. Typically, axial
When is backlash an application consideration?
clearance is minimal and of little consequence for
When worm gear reducers operate continuously in a
most applications. However, when low backlash is an
single direction and in the absence of load reversals,
application consideration, bearing endplay must be
backlash is generally not an application consideration.
considered and reduced if necessary.
In this case, the standard reducer backlash is suitable.

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 Speed Reducer Backlash
Backlash specifications are generally provided in one 1. Backlash in degrees as measured from some reference radius:
of two terms: inches of movement at a defined radius Backlash Backlash in inches x 57.296
or arc movement (degrees, minutes, seconds). The =
in degrees Reference Radius (inches)
difference between these two terms is the unit of
measure. While both of these terms accurately 2. Backlash in inches at a defined reference radius:
describe backlash measurement, the choice of term Backlash Backlash in degrees x Radius (inches)
=
is usually associated with a specific purpose. in inches 57.296
Backlash in inches of movement at a defined radius
3. Backlash in arc minutes:
is generally associated with the actual backlash
measurement. It refers to the arc movement about the Backlash in
= Backlash in degrees x 60
center of the subject shaft at some reference radius. arc minutes
There is a quasi-industry standard of three inches for The integer value is the measurement of arc minutes. Arc seconds
the reference radius. Because the arc movement will are obtained by multiplying the decimal remainder by 60.
vary with the reference radius it is more convenient to
convert this measurement to degrees because it is EXAMPLE:
independent of the reference radius. When the level .18 degrees x 60 = 10.8 arc minutes
of precision is high, the backlash is often stated in .8 remainder x 60 = 48 arc seconds
arc minutes. Formulas for converting backlash Therefore, 18 degrees = 10 arc minutes and 48 arc seconds
measurements are:

BACKLASH LEVEL FOR WINSMITH® PRODUCTS

IN ARC IN IN INCHES@ REFERENCE RADIUS BACKLASH LEVEL

Appendix
MINUTES DEGREES* 3" 12" 48" FOR WINSMITH PRODUCTS

1 .017° .0006" .0035" .0140"

2 .033° .0017" .0070" .0279" S-ELIMINATOR™
3 .050° .0026" .0105" .0419"
4 .067° .0035" .0140" .0558"
5 .083° .0044" .0176" .0704"
6 .100° .0052" .0209" .0837" C-ELIMINATOR
7 .117° .0061" .0244" .0977"
8 .133° .0070" .0279" .1117"
9 .150° .0079" .0314" .1256"
10 .167° .0087" .0349" .1396"
11 .183° .0096" .0384" .1535" C-MINIMIZER
12 .200° .0105" .0419" .1675" S-MINIMIZER
13 .217° .0113" .0454" .1814"
14 .233° .0122" .0488" .1954"
15 .250° .0131" .0523" .2094"
16 .267° .0140" .0558" .2233"
17 .283° .0148" .0593" .2373"
18 .300° .0157" .0628" .2512"
19 .317° .0166" .0663" .2652"
20 .333° .0174" .0698" .2791"
21 .350° .0183" .0733" .2931"
22 .367° .0192" .0768" .3070"
23 .383° .0200" .0803" .3210"
24 .400° .0209" .0837" .3350"
25 .417° .0218" .0872" .3489"
26 .433° .0227" .0907" .3629"
27 .450° .0236" .0942" .3768" SE Encore
28 .467° .0244" .0977" .3908"
29 .483° .0253" .1012" .4047"
30 .500° .0262" .1047" .4187"
*To convert to radians, divide degrees by 57.3".

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