Before buying a gear reducer, it’s important to take several factors into account.

A gear reducer is used to adapt the characteristics (torque and speed) of the input and output axis of a mechanism. This is why you have to know the torque and rotation speed.

It is therefore appropriate to ask yourself about the torque first and foremost. A reducer increases the torque of your motor and thus allows a receiving member to rotate under the impact of a new torque. Gear reducer manufacturers sometimes indicate the minimum and maximum torque (expressed in newton meters, N.m) that can be supported by each of their products. The torque density varies according to the gear reducer. For example, planetary gearboxes have a high torque density.

The other purpose of a gear reducer is to reduce the motor speed and we recommend that you take into account the ideal reduction ratio for your use. Based on the rotational speed of your motor, the reduction ratio is used to determine the output rotational speed. This information is also indicated by manufacturers on their product pages. It is given in revolutions per minute.

Lastly, you should ask yourself what kind of gear reducer assembly is most appropriate for your application. The input and output shafts of your gear reducer can be coaxial, parallel-shaft or orthogonal. This depends on your intended use.