Created more than 2,000 years ago, gears are one of the oldest, yet most effective ways to transmit motion. Although early types of gears were used in the construction of devices that calculated astronomical positions, modern gears are utilized in a variety of other ways. This is because there are many types of gears available, and each one serves a specific purpose.

1. Worm gears. These types of gears resemble screws, and they are typically used in a worm-and-gear drive set. Worm-and-gear drive sets are capable of achieving a low-torque, high-speed ratio, which makes them common to use in rudders, rolling mills, and presses. Fortunately, since these types of gears are common, it is simple to obtain them from worm gear manufacturers.

2. Bevel gears. Bevel gears are unique because they are shaped like cones that have their tips cut off. As a result, these types of gears are typically used on shafts that have been mounted at a 90 degree angle, which most other gears are not capable of. Additionally, bevel gears can have teeth that are either straight or spiral, which means they serve many purposes. Differential drives, rotorcraft drive systems, and hand drills, for example, all utilize bevel gears.

3. Rack and pinion gears. These types of gears consist of racks, which are toothed strips, and pinions, which are circular gears. When rotational motion is applied to the pinion, this causes the rack to move. Since these types of gears are designed to move racks in a straight line, they are commonly used to operate locomotives on a track, as well as to help vehicles steer.

Gears are a helpful way to transmit motion, and there are countless types of gears available. Worm, bevel, and rack and pinion, for example, are three common gear varieties. By getting the type of gear you need from bevel, rack and pinion, or worm gear manufacturers, you will be able to complete your job or project more successfully.