1. What is Gear Ratio?

The gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth on the driven gear to the number of teeth on the driver gear. It determines the mechanical advantage and speed relationship between the input and output of a gear system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gear ratio formula:

Where:

• Driven Teeth — Number of teeth on the driven gear
• Driver Teeth — Number of teeth on the driver gear

Explanation: A gear ratio greater than 1 indicates speed reduction and torque multiplication, while a ratio less than 1 indicates speed increase and torque reduction.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio Calculation

Details: Proper gear ratio selection is crucial for achieving desired speed and torque characteristics in mechanical systems, affecting performance, efficiency, and component life.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth for both driven and driver gears. Both values must be positive integers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical gear ratio range for chain drives?
A: Common ratios range from 1:1 to about 6:1, with higher ratios possible but requiring larger sprockets.

Q2: How does gear ratio affect speed?
A: Output speed = Input speed × (Driver Teeth/Driven Teeth). Higher gear ratios result in lower output speeds.

Q3: What's the difference between gear ratio and torque multiplication?
A: Torque multiplication is inversely proportional to speed reduction. A 3:1 gear ratio means 3× torque but 1/3 speed.

Q4: Can I use this for belt drives?
A: Yes, the same principle applies when using pulleys with different diameters (equivalent to tooth counts).

Q5: What about multi-stage gear reductions?
A: For multiple gear pairs, multiply the individual ratios (e.g., 3:1 × 4:1 = 12:1 total ratio).