Development of Low-Noise Gears : Silencing Effect and Operating Characteristics of Polyamide Elastomer Gears

Abstract

In their previous study, the authors demonstrated that noise can be greatly reduced by using gears which are made of plastic material (called P-nylon) consisting of nylon filled with a plasticizer. In apparatus such as acoustic equipment, gears suffer only a slight torque and their teeth need not be high in strength. Currently, the development of gears with low noise is in demand in this field. In the present study, gears are produced using a polyamide elastomer which is softer than P-nylon and harder than rubber, and tests are carried out to determine their noise reduction effect, the wear of their teeth and their operation life. The practical performance of these gears is studied based on the test results