Application of Plastic Gears

As the name suggests, these gears are made of plastic. They are lubricant free gears. Due to modern industrial applications and consumer electronics, plastic gear has been increasingly used. Such lubricant free gears are used in consumer electronic items. Not only this, it also used in many small home appliances like washing machine and driller, copier to printers. They are more economical and is a cost cutting tool to the manufacturers. This also enables the manufacturer to deliver the end product at lower price to the consumer.

 

Plastic gears also produce less noise and very less lubrication is required than the metal gears. Due to its noise reduction factor, plastic gears are used in machines which are meant for setting office. Costing is the main deciding factor for increase in use of plastic gear in industries. Machine gears are costlier than the plastic ones, even the casting of plastic gear is cheaper. The drawback of metal gear is – it tends toils the plastic track that they operate on. Metal gear sometimes become destructive to the life of the light office machines.

 

Plastic gears can exposed and operated in dirty or dusty environment. These gears stand dirt better than the metal gear. The metal gear crushes the dirt whereas, the plastic gear is capable of absorbing it. Thus the plastic gear requires less maintenance. The self lubricating property of plastic gear makes an ideal tool for household products. They are used in food processing machines where petroleum based lubricants cannot be used. They can be sanitize easily and also can be cleaned. They can withstand more load and also are lighter in weight which can be easily handled. Again because of non-corrosive factor, it is the manufacturers choice where the gear has to be exposed to high humid or moist area.