Useful Formulas for Helical Gears

 Speed Ratio (mw)  Face Width (b)

N p Dg b ≥ 2Pa, bmin = 1.15pa

mw = =
Ng D p b = 2Pa

 Gear Ration (mg)  Axial Pitch (Pa)

T g Dg Pc π
mg = = Pa = =
T p Dp tan P d tan

Note:

Dg Dg  Pressure Angle in Normal Plane (n)

since; mw = , and mg =
Dp Dp tan n = tan  cos

therefor; mw = mg
 Pressure Angle ()

 Normal Pitch Circle (Pcn) −1 tan

 = tan ( )
cos
Pcn = Pc cos
Where:
π
Pcn = n = pressure angle in the normal plane.
P dn

 Pitch Circle (Pc)  = pressure angle in the diametral plane.

π Dp  = helix angle
For Pinion: Pc =
Tp
π Dg  Mean Velocity (vm)
For Gear: Pc =
Tg vm = π D p N p
π C
Pc = πM = =
Pd T
 Transmitted Load (Ft)

ft−lb
(33000 )(HP )
 Normal Diametral Pitch (Pdn) Ft = HP−min
vm
Pd
Pdn =
cos❑
 Dynamic Load (Fd)

 Diametral Pitch (Pd) 0.05 v m ( F t +C b cos2 ) cos

Fd = Ft +
Tp 0.05 v m +¿ ¿
For Pinion: Pd =
Dp
Tg  Strength of Helical Teeth (Fs)
For Gear: Pd =
Dg
S n bY S n bY cos
Fs = =
k f P dn k f Pd
 Face Contact Ratio (mf)

b tan ❑ b  Equivalent Number of Teeth (Te)

mf = =
Pc Pa
 Tp For opposite hands, Σ=𝜓1−𝜓2
For Pinion: Te = 3
cos and
Tg π D p cos ψ 1
For Gear: Te = 3 Tp =
cos Pcn
π D g cos ψ 2
 Axial Load (Fa) Tg =
Pcn
Fa = Ft tan
N p ω p T g Dg cos ψ 1
mw = = = =
Ng ω g T p D p cos ψ 2
 Limiting Wear Load (Fw) For Σ=90°
b DpQ k g
Fw = 2 cos ψ 2 = cos (90-ψ 1 ¿ = sinψ 1
cos
2 Dg 2T g 2 mg cos ψ 1 = cos (90-ψ 2 ¿ = sinψ 2
Where: Q = = =
Dg + D p T g+ T p mg +1 ω p D g sin ψ 1 Dg tan ψ 1
mw = = = =
ω g D p cos ψ 1 Dp
 Center Distance (C) Dg
D p tan ψ 2
D p + Dg
C=
2 Conditions for Solving Helical Gear Problems

 For Pitches

 Efficiency (e) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16

cos ∅ n−f cot❑1 Note:

e=
cos ∅ n +f tan❑1 for pitches in helical gear use 1 increment.
Where: For iterations always start with 5.
0.155
f= 0.2
vr
 For the standard market size of gear teeth
(3¿ v r <¿70 fpm)
4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28,30

32,36,40,48,64,80
0.32
f= 0.35
vr
 To test the gear
(70¿ v r <¿3000 fpm)
Note:

For the same material, the pinion is the weakest

πDN
vr = For not the same material, test the both gears
cos ψ

 For Face Width

 Crossed helical gears. B = 2Pa, bmin = 1.15pa
The shafts can be at any angle Σ, but 90° is the

most common.  For the Horsepower (HP), (Market Standard)

For same hands, Σ=𝜓1+𝜓2 HP = 1.0,1.25,1.5,1.75,2.0,2.25,2.5,2.75,3.0,3.5,
 4.0,4.5,5.0,5.5,6.0 1.25< N sf <¿1.5; medium shock; frequent start;
reciprocating compressor and pumps,
Note:
pneumatic tools, well-drilling machinery, wire-
From 1-3 HP, add 0.25 drawing machinery, portable electric tools, lobe
blowers, heavy-duty conveyors, machine tools,
From 3-above, add 0.5
kilns.

 For kf:
1.5< N sf <¿1.75; moderately heavy shock;
Load at the tip, assume kf = 1.45 dredging machinery, road machinery, railway
motor cars, single-cylinder compressors, ore or
Load near middle, assume kf = 1.7
stone crushers, punch press, tumbling barrels.
Note:

If no given value or condition for kf, assume;

1.75< N sf <¿2; heavy shock; use higher service
load near middle, assume kf = 1.7
factor; rolling mill, rock crusher.

 To solve for Y, from Table AT 24 @ Te

Note:

For smooth load, N sf = 1.0

 For kg, from Table AT 26 @n (For both gears
steel) For uniform load, N sf = 1.25

For medium shock or frequent shock, N sf = 1.5

 To solve for su For moderately heavy shock, N sf = 1.75

su For heavy shock, N sf = 1.75
For steel use, sn =
3
If no give condition for N sf , assume smooth
Therefore, su = (sn)(3) load, N sf = 1.0

 To solve for the Corrective factor, C  Maximum Permissible Error

From Table AT 25 e = 0.002; 1st class commercial gear

e = 0.001; carefully cut

 For Intermittent Service e = 0.0005; precision cut

Fs ≥ F d
Fs = Nsf Fd

 For Continuous Service

Fw ≥ F d
Fw = Nsf Fd

 For Safety Factor (Nsf)

1¿ N sf < ¿1.25; uniform load without shock;

centrifugal machines, hoisting machinery, belt-
driven machine tools, textile machinery, and
smoothly running conveyors.