Worm gears are arrangements of gear sets that consist of worms that mesh or mate with worm wheels. In worm gear drives, the worm drives the worm wheel. Worm gears can be good choices for power transmission applications that need high- ratio speed reduction in minimal spaces utilizing 90 degrees, non-intersecting shafts. These gears can also multiply torque. Some examples of worm gears usage in applications include conveyors and pallet loaders. In worm gear design, some important specifications are diametral pitch, pressure angle, number of teeth, material choice and direction of tooth curve (right or left).

Manufacturers can offer different types of worm gear products such as a micro worm gear or a worm gear robotics kit. Material options for worm wheel gears include various metals and plastics. Some metal options are bronze, aluminum and steel, while some plastic choices are nylon, acetal and Delrin.

When you require worm gears for specific applications, some options to consider are:

1. Choose worm gear manufacturers that have a good selection of products.

2. Find a manufacturer that provides custom worm gears.

3. Search online for vendors of worm gears.

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

Purchase worm gears from suppliers with good inventories of products

Sometimes, you may need a variety of worm gear products for different types of applications. Whether you require products in metric / English design units that have different diameters or in different materials, a good option is to look for a worm gear manufacturer with a good array of products to meet your business needs. A manufacturer or supplier should also provide technical assistance to help you select the right material for a specific application.

I recommend: At W.M. Berg, there are English/metric worms and worm gears in different diameters, styles, pressure angles and teeth. Engineering tools, part customization and engineering services are available to customers. Quality Transmission Components carries worms and worm gears in different materials that include plastic and bronze. Concise Motion System provides metric worm gear sets.

Get a custom worm gear that meets your exact specification

When you require either very small or large gears, you need a manufacturer that not only has the experience to fabricate these products but also offers design and engineering services that can help you with a design application.

I recommend: Commercial Gear & Sprocket provides custom-made worm gear products to 60 inches diameter. This company also offers services like engineering and design. Rush Gears offers inch and metric made to order /custom gears, prototypes and miniature gears in various materials. Company also provides others services and good technical information.

Buy worm gears from online distributors

Searching online for vendors of worm gears is a good option that allows you to compare products and prices. To make a good selection of product, you should download catalogs and carefully review the product specs to hone down your list of product choices.

I recommend: Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instruments has many metric worm wheel gear products in different materials. MSC Industrial Supply offers different brand worm gears that include Boston Gear. Both suppliers have good product specs and provide online catalogs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To mesh properly, worm gear sets used in applications must have the exact diametral pitch and threads.