Shhh… gearboxes are quiet for NEMA 17 motors

Author: EIS Release Date: Apr 23, 2023

Nanotec has created low-noise planetary gearboxes for brushless DC and stepper motors with NEMA 17 flanges (42mm, 1.7in).

 

Nanotec GP42-N gearbox NEMA17 motors

“With the GP42-N series,” according to the company, “the helical toothing allows the teeth to mesh gradually, which results in a smoother transmission of forces so that vibrations and noise are reduced.”

 

The use of plastic planetary and ring gears also contributes to quieter running, said the company, which does not seem to publish sound output figures.

 

Nanotec GP42-N gearbox NEMA17 motors

 

There are three 51mm long (plus shaft) single stage versions: 4x (1Nm nominal output torque), 5x (0.9Nm), 7x (0.8Nm), and four 65mm long two-stage versions:  15.7x (3.9Nm), 19.7x (3.5Nm), 24x (4.9Nm) and 30x (4.9Nm).

 

Maximum torque is ~3x nominal for single stage and 2x for two stage boxes.

 

Backlash is between 34 and 48 arc minutes, and efficeincy is between 81 and 91%, both depending on version.

 

Sealing is to IP54, although for vertical shaft gearbox-on-top-of-motor use, on request the gearboxes can be equipped with radial shaft seals. “This way, Hall sensors, encoders and integrated motor controllers are protected from the gearbox lubricant,” said Nanotec.

 

Predicted service life is 5,000 hours at 3,000rpm.

 

Use is foreseen in medical devices and building automation, particularly in combination with the company’s DF45 external rotor motors.

 

Nanotec was founded in 1991 and is based near Munich. It has some 270 employees in Germany, Bulgaria, the US and China.