Gears Buyers Guide
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Buyer's Beware
There is a chance that a gear set that is manufactured properly is
susceptible to failing during operation. A "Value Added
Supplier" is the one who can and will support you beyond just
supplying piece parts.
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You must be aware of the profound importance that a gear set has on a
geared application's, performance, success and the perceived value. The
first thing to ask before you venture out to select a Gear supplier or
manufacturer is to ask yourself honestly about the reputation you want for
your products in the "Marketplace".
Many a times it happens that a gears by themselves are perfect. Only when
the gears are applied to different and demanding applications the gears
create trouble. So a good supplier of gear is the one who has the wisdom and
expertise to understand how a gear would react to a multitude of variables
in the applications like:
- Lubrication
- Blank Design
- Housing tolerances
- Assembly practices
- Heat treatment specifications
- Mounting arrangements
- Material selection
Predicted Pitfalls of Low
Priced Gear Set
Opting for low priced gears may not be the right purchasing solution. This
should be made absolutely clear in the beginning of any purchasing process.
You should consider low priced gears only when the following things does not
matter to you.
- You and your customers would not care about noisier products.
- Shorter life cycles and a distinct possibility of early gear failure
is perfectly acceptable to you.
- In house resources are available, prompt and adept to analyze and
solve any gear related problems as they occur.
- Distributors can tolerate delays on account of unreliable supply
chain.
- A higher rate of product build up and return can be financially
justified.
Prerequisites of a Good
Gear Supplier
You need to find a gear supplier who has the following attributes. A key
point here is to know the extent of control does the supplier exercises over
the entire operation. For example if your gear supplier has outsourced the
gear blanks or let say the machining processes then you would find it
difficult to track down the problems. The problems become more acute in case
if heat treating is outsourced. An ideal gear supplier must have:-
- A vast experience and know how.
- State-of-the-art inspection equipment.
- A dedication to quality.
- Commitment for timely deliveries.
- Willingness to provide engineering backup.
- State-of-the-art manufacturing equipment.
- Proven track record in production that matches with your quality
standards.
