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Gear Technology: Fundamentals, Selection & Design

Gear Technology: From Geometry to Selection

Gear technology is more than the sum of its individual gears. It encompasses the complete geometry — module, pressure angle, addendum and dedendum circles — as well as the full range of gear types: straight and helical spur gears, bevel gears for angular gearboxes, worm gears for high ratios, and rack-and-pinion systems for converting rotation into translation.

From standardized spur gears per DIN 3960 to custom-tooth profiles made to drawing, the choice of material, manufacturing process (hobbing, grinding, honing), and correct sizing for load capacity and efficiency determines whether a gearbox operates reliably and economically. This pillar page links all guides, comparisons, and calculators related to gear technology.

Quick Orientation

Fundamentals → Article „Gear Technology: Basic Terms Explained Clearly". Calculation → Article „Calculating Gear Modules". Selection → Article „Choosing the Right Gear". Custom manufacturingCustom Gears product page.

All Articles on Gear Technology

Guide

Gear Technology: Basic Terms Explained Clearly

Module, pressure angle, addendum circle, dedendum circle: all the key terms in gear technology explained concisely.

6 min. read timeRead →
Comparison

Helical Gears vs. Straight Gears: A Comparison in Numbers

Smooth running, axial thrust, overlap ratio: when does helical gearing pay off — and when does it not?

7 min. read timeRead →
Tutorial

Calculating Gear Modules: Formula, Standard Series, and Examples

Step-by-step guide to module calculation per DIN 780 — with formula, standard series, and worked example.

7 min. read timeRead →
Guide

Gear Materials: A Comparison of Steel, Plastic, and Sintered Metal

Case-hardened steel, POM, PA, or sintered powder? A material comparison including load capacity and cost assessment.

7 min. read timeRead →
Guide

Choosing the Right Gear: A Decision Tree for Practical Use

Systematic selection guide: from load analysis through module selection to tolerance class.

8 min. read timeRead →
Tutorial

Spur Gearboxes: Fundamentals and Design

Construction, gear ratio, power losses, and design steps for spur gearboxes.

7 min. read timeRead →
Comparison

Bevel Gearboxes: Design Types and Selection Criteria

Straight-tooth, spiral, and hypoid bevel gearboxes — differences and selection criteria.

6 min. read timeRead →
Comparison

Worm Gearbox vs. Planetary Gearbox: Which One Fits?

High ratio or compact design? A comparison of both gearbox principles with sizing notes.

6 min. read timeRead →
Guide

Self-Locking in Gearboxes: When Is It Desirable?

Self-locking through friction — fundamentals, threshold values, and typical use cases in gearbox engineering.

6 min. read timeRead →
Tutorial

Calculating Gearbox Efficiency

Losses from gearing, bearings, and seals — how to determine the overall efficiency of your gearbox.

7 min. read timeRead →
Calculator

Gear Ratio Calculator

Online calculator for gear ratio, output speed, and output torque.

3 min. read timeRead →
Calculator

Gear Geometry Calculator

Calculate pitch, tip, root circle and centre distance from module and number of teeth online.

3 min. read timeRead →
Calculator

Gear Type Selector

Selection aid for the right gear type — by load, speed, noise, shaft arrangement and budget.

3 min. read timeRead →

Custom Gears from TEA

Standard and custom-tooth profiles made to drawing — manufactured in Hamburg, available from stock.

View Custom Gears →
Alexander Olenberger

About the Author

Alexander Olenberger

Senior Application Engineer · Technische Antriebselemente GmbH

Alexander Olenberger supports engineers in the selection and sizing of gear elements, gearboxes, and drive components.

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