Herringbone gears transmit power between parallel axes and have opposing helices. These opposing helices counterbalance the end thrust forces and eliminate the requirement of thrust bearings. Due to the characteristic shape of the helices, the manufacturing process is complicated. Therefore, herringbone gears are costlier than other power transmission components such as spur and helical gears.

Gear suppliers offer herringbone gears of different metals, such as aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron and various steel alloys. For noiseless operations, use plastic herringbone gears available in the market. Try buying a metal gear with plastic inserts to get noiseless operation and greater fit tolerances than other materials.

Some important parameters you must consider before buying a herringbone gear are:

1. Forces and torques acting on the herringbone gear
2. Power transmission ratio (or gear ratio)
3. Dimensions of herringbone gears: pitch, module, pressure angle and diameters
4. Expected useful life of a herringbone gear

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy herringbone gears online from a reputable manufacturer

Once you have identified your requirement for herringbone gears, review the standard herringbone gears available on the market.

I recommend: Akron Gear & Engineering is a reputable herringbone gears manufacturer that can provide you with a herringbone gear with diameters ranging from 2-74 inches. You can buy industrial herringbone gears at Summit Gearworks, a gears supplier for the pulp and paper, forestry, marine, sugar processing and mining industries. Ram Gear Manufacturing offers herringbone gears for pumping units. You can check out different herringbone gears products manufactured by The Westerman Companies. Gearench is another reputable herringbone gears supplier for mud pumps, oil pumps and other industrial equipment. You can also evaluate herringbone gears products at Stahl Gear & Machine and Engelhardt Gear.

Buy herringbone gears online from distributors or retailers

Compare different herringbone gears based on their features and prices at distributors or retailers' websites.

I recommend: You can buy industrial herringbone gears at Carlson-Dimond & Wright, an authorized distributor for gear manufacturing companies including Rexnord, Dalton and Grove Gear. Area Distributors and Industrial Drive Components are reputable power transmission distributors that also supply herringbone gears. Moreover, you can refer to the lists of herringbone suppliers at Zycon Global Services and Gear Technology.

Buy specialty or customized herringbone gears

If standard herringbone gears available in the market do not meet your requirements, opt for customized herringbone gears. Make sure you perform a cost-value analysis before buying a customized herringbone gear.

I recommend: Horsburgh & Scott, a customized industrial gear manufacturer, can supply large herringbone gears with diameters up to 180 inches. You can buy a precision herringbone gear with a metal core at Intech Corp., a manufacturer of gears that do not require lubrication. Heritage, another reputable gear manufacturer, provides high-speed herringbone pinions. You can buy heavy-duty herringbone gears at Cage Gear & Machine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ensure proper lubrication for your herringbone gear system.
• •  Inquire about details of AGMA (American Gear Manufacturers Association) standards that your herringbone gears supplier has followed.