Do you have a specific inquiry and would like us to advise you? Send us a message with your questions.

Contact us now
Electrical drive technology Gear motor Frequency inverters Servomotors Servo gear units AC motors, asynchronous motors Linear motors, linear movement Control Technology

What is a geared motor?

A geared motor is a homogeneous and compact unit consisting of a gear unit and motor. In electric drive technology, as manufactured by SEW-EURODRIVE, the latter is always an electric motor. The idea of a "motor-gear unit" goes back to a patent by the Bruchsal designer and entrepreneur Albert Obermoser from 1928: he invented the so-called "Vorlegemotor".

Since then, geared motors have been continuously developed and new types of gearboxes invented. On the motor side, direct current technology has become less important, which is why gearboxes are now most frequently combined with three-phase AC motors or servomotors.

How does a geared motor work?

The central role in the geared motor is played by the gearbox with its gear stages, the gear pairs. These transmit the power of the motor from the drive side to the output side. The gearbox therefore functions as a converter of torque and speed.

In most applications, the gearbox slows down the rotational speed of the motor and at the same time transmits significantly higher torques than the electric motor alone could provide. The design of the gearbox therefore determines whether a geared motor is suitable for light, medium or heavy loads and for short or long duty cycles.

Depending on whether a gearbox converts the incoming speed from the motor (called drive speed) to slow or fast, it is referred to as a reduction ratio or gear ratio. The speed ratio i between the input speed and the output speed of the gearbox serves as a measure for this.

Another important measured variable for a geared motor is the maximum torque on the output side. This is specified in Newton meters (Nm) and is the measure of the force of the geared motor and the load it can move.

What types of geared motors are there?

The direction of force flow of the gearbox determines the type of geared motor. There are three basic types: parallel shaft gearboxes, angular gearboxes and planetary gearboxes.

Where are geared motors used?

The possible applications for geared motors are extremely varied. Without geared motors, entire sectors of the global economy would grind to a halt. In industrial production, for example, they drive countless conveyor lines, lift and lower loads and move a wide variety of goods from A to B in different types of systems.

To name just a fraction of the applications:

In the automotive industry, geared motors can be found throughout the entire manufacturing process, from the press shop to final assembly. And in the beverage industry, they move bottles, containers and beverage crates and are used for filling or sorting empties. The entire intralogistics of manufacturing companies relies on the drives, regardless of whether goods need to be stored, sorted or delivered.

Even at airports, nothing would work without geared motors and passengers would wait in vain for their suitcases at the baggage claim.

Handling machines and robots, which require high dynamics and accuracy of fit, would be inconceivable without servo geared motors.

Last but not least, many a ride in the amusement industry would not even exist and the tingling sensation on the roller coaster would probably be unknown.

What is a geared motor?

With a geared motor is a homogeneous and compact unit consisting of a gear unit and motor. In electric drive technology, as manufactured by SEW-EURODRIVE, the latter is always an electric motor. The idea of a "motor-gear unit" goes back to a patent from 1928 by the Bruchsal designer and entrepreneur Albert Obermoser: he invented the so-called "Vorlegemotor".

Since then, geared motors have been continuously developed and new types of gearboxes invented. On the motor side, direct current technology has become less important, which is why gearboxes are now most frequently combined with three-phase AC motors or servomotors.

How does a geared motor work?

The central role in the geared motor is played by the gearbox with its gear stages, the gear pairs. These transmit the power of the motor from the input side to the output side. The gearbox therefore functions as a converter of torque and speed.

In most applications, the gearbox slows down the rotational speed of the motor and at the same time transmits significantly higher torques than the electric motor alone could provide. The design of the gearbox therefore determines whether a geared motor is suitable for light, medium or heavy loads, for short or long duty cycles.

Depending on whether a gearbox converts the incoming speed from the motor (called drive speed) to slow or fast, it is referred to as a reduction ratio or gear ratio. The speed ratio i between the input speed and the output speed of the gearbox serves as a measure for this.

Another important measured variable for a geared motor is the maximum torque on the output side. This is specified in Newton meters (Nm) and is the measure of the force of the geared motor and the load it can move.

What types of geared motors are there?

The direction of force flow of the gearbox determines the type of geared motor. There are three basic types: parallel shaft gearboxes, angular gearboxes and planetary gearboxes.

Where are geared motors used?

The possible applications for geared motors are extremely varied. Without geared motors, entire sectors of the global economy would grind to a halt. In industrial production, for example, they drive countless conveyor lines, lift and lower loads and move a wide variety of goods from A to B in different types of systems.

To name just a fraction of the applications:

In the automotive industry, geared motors can be found throughout the entire manufacturing process, from the press shop to final assembly. In the beverage industry, they move bottles, containers and crates and are used for filling or sorting empties. The entire intralogistics of manufacturing companies relies on the drives, regardless of whether goods have to be stored, sorted or delivered.

Even at airports, nothing would work without geared motors and passengers would wait in vain for their suitcases at the baggage claim.

Handling machines and robots, which require high dynamics and accuracy of fit, would be inconceivable without servo geared motors.

Last but not least, many a ride in the amusement industry would not even exist and the tingling sensation on the roller coaster would probably be unknown.

Identification mark of the geared motors

What does the information on the nameplate mean?

When a geared motor leaves our halls, it never leaves without a nameplate. This is because every technical object must be marked with this label and thus visibly disclose mandatory data. What information does a nameplate provide us with?

Our example explains.

And if you take a closer look, you will find rating plates even in your own household.

230 V geared motor or 400 V geared motor?

What does the 230 V/400 V specification on the rating plate mean?

If you are looking for a geared motor for a specific rated voltage, you will quickly discover that there is a very wide range on offer. The most frequently searched for geared motors are 230 V or geared motors 400 V.

As a rule, the geared motor two voltages are specified, e.g. "230 V/400 V". The lower voltage 230 V indicates that one phase of the installed motor (one motor winding) can be supplied with a maximum of 230 V may be loaded. 400 V corresponds to the maximum voltage that the outer conductor of the motor may take. The following generally applies: For use on 400 -V- mains, a star connection is required for operation; for the lower voltage (230 V) a delta connection must be used.

The type plate on each geared motor must be present on every geared motor, the permissible voltage range is part of the required nominal data. The nameplates of most geared motors indicate a slightly wider voltage range: This is because voltage fluctuations within a standardized tolerance of +/- 5 % are permitted.

Geared motors from the SEW-EURODRIVE modular system

The combination options for our gearmotors are as varied as their possible applications. Thanks to the universal modular system developed by SEW-EURODRIVE, our customers have access to millions of variants and can find their individual product solution for every requirement. The aim of the modular system is to be able to combine as few components as possible to create the widest possible variety of end products.

SEW-EURODRIVE geared motors are divided into the following categories: standard geared motors, servo geared motors, electric monorail geared motors, variable speed geared motors, stainless steel geared motors and explosion-proof geared motors.

Standard geared motors:

Standard geared motors are impressive due to their diverse designs, the optimum gradation of a large number of sizes and the wide variety of versions. This makes them indispensable, robust drives, especially in production and logistics. Depending on the number of gear ratios, high torques of up to 50,000 Nm are possible.

Servo geared motors:

Power, dynamics and precision: these are the core characteristics of servo geared motors. Here too, our modular system is the key to extensive combination options and makes a wide variety of gearbox and motor constellations possible in this segment. There is the perfect gear motor for every requirement. geared motor can be realized.

Depending on whether you combine our PS.F.. planetary servo gearboxes or BF.. helical servo gearboxes with CMP.. synchronous servomotors, DRL.. asynchronous servomotors or DR.. three-phase AC motors: Each time, the special interaction of motor and gearbox offers you exactly the drive behavior that is perfectly tailored to your application and requirements.

You can also use our gearboxes from the standard range in a variety of combinations with our servomotors and set up and optimize your system individually on the drive side.

Variable speed geared motors:

For applications in which the speed of the drive must be infinitely variable, our mechanical geared motors are ideal. variable speed geared motors come into play. Such requirements arise, for example, with simple conveyor belts or agitators whose speed has to be repeatedly adjusted to different process sequences. The speed is then adjusted steplessly either by handwheel or remote control.

Stainless steel geared motors:

If applications take place in hygienic areas that require intensive cleaning, the geared motor must be able to withstand a lot of chemicals and moisture. For these purposes, our acid and alkali-resistant Stainless steel geared motors are designed for these purposes. Their cleaning-optimized surface and fanless design also ensure that no dirt can accumulate in recesses. In terms of performance, you don't have to compromise on anything. Whether in the RES... stainless steel helical geared motor version or in the KES... stainless steel bevel geared motor design: These geared motors are particularly robust, durable and easy to maintain and, with bevel gearboxes, particularly space-saving.

Explosion-proof geared motors:

The majority of our standard geared motors and servo geared motors are available as explosion-proof geared motors all over the world in compliance with local regulations. This makes them the powerful and safe drives that offer you the high performance you need, even in potentially explosive environments with air-gas or air-dust mixtures.

Can you find the solution?

Are you solution-oriented? Then why not try your hand at our little puzzle :-)

A little hint:

In the picture you can see three of our standard geared motors: Parallel shaft geared motors, helical geared motors, bevel geared motors. And each type of geared motor stands for a number.

Once you have worked out these numbers, the solution is quite easy, isn't it?

In helical gearboxes, the input shaft (motor) and output shaft (gearbox) are in line. They are also referred to as parallel shaft gearboxes. Helical geared motors are the most commonly used classic geared motors.


Our helical gearbox or helical geared motor stands for the number 4!

Similar to helical gearboxes, parallel shaft gearboxes are also parallel shaft gearboxes: Power is transmitted parallel to the axis, but the output shaft is offset downwards. Flat geared motors are therefore ideally suited for confined installation conditions.


Our parallel shaft gearbox or parallel shaft geared motor stands for the number 10!

Bevel gearboxes go 90° around the corner. They belong to the "genus" of angular gearboxes, as the input and output shafts are arranged perpendicular to each other. The power flow can therefore be deflected at right angles. Our bevel gearboxes have particularly wear-free gearing. This increases efficiency and saves energy costs as a result.


Our bevel gearbox or bevel geared motor stands for the number 2!

Well? What is the solution to the riddle?


Have you figured it out? Congratulations!

The super number is:

42

Contact form Worldwide locations