Worm gears

Contents
1 Notations 2
1.1 Terms used in worm gearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Eﬃciency of worm gearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Strength of worm gear teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Wear tooth load for worm gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.5 Thermal rating of worm gearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Introduction 3
3 Types of Worms 3
4 Types of Worm Gears 3
5 Terms used in Worm Gearing 4
6 Proportions for Worms 6
7 Proportions for Worm Gear 6
8 Eﬃciency of Worm Gearing 7
9 Strength of Worm Gear Teeth 7
10 Wear Tooth Load for Worm Gear 8
11 Thermal Rating of Worm Gearing 8
12 Forces Acting on Worm Gears 9
13 Design of Worm Gearing 9
14 References 11
15 Contacts 11

1 Notations
1.1 Terms used in worm gearing
• l = Lead of the worm.
• pa = Axial pitch.
• n = Number of starts.
• m = Module.
• DW = Pitch circle diameter of worm.
• NG = The speed of the worm gear.
• NW = The speed of the worm.
• pN = Normal pitch.
• DG = Pitch circle diameter of the worm gear.
• n = Number of starts of the worm.
1.2 Efficiency of worm gearing
• φ = Normal pressure angle.
• µ = Coefficient of friction = τφ1.
• λ = Lead angle.
• φ1 = Angle of friction
1.3 Strength of worm gear teeth
• WT = Permissible tangential tooth load or beam strength of gear tooth.
• σo = Allowable static stress.
• Cv = Velocity factor.
• b = Face width.
• m = Module.
• y = Tooth form factor or Lewis factor.
1.4 Wear tooth load for worm gear
• DG = Pitch circle diameter of the worm gear.
• b = Face width of the worm gear.
• K = Load stress factor (also known as material combination factor).
1.5 Thermal rating of worm gearing
• P = Power transmitted in watts.
• η = Efficiency of the worm gearing.

2 Introduction
The worm gears are widely used for transmitting power at high velocity ratios between non-intersecting shafts
that are generally, but not necessarily, at right angles. It can give velocity ratios as high as 300 : 1 or more in
a single step in a minimum of space, but it has a lower eﬃciency.
3 Types of Worms
The following are the two types of worms:
1. Cylindrical or straight worm, and
2. Cone or double enveloping worm.
The cylindrical or straight worm, as shown in Fig. 1 (a), is most commonly used. The shape of the thread
is involute helicoid of pressure angle 141
2
o
for single and double threaded worms and 20o
for triple and quadruple
threaded worms. The worm threads are cut by a straight sided milling cutter having its diameter not less than
the outside diameter of worm or greater than 1.25 times the outside diameter of worm.
The cone or double enveloping worm, as shown in Fig. 1 (b), is used to some extent, but it requires
extremely accurate alignment.
Figure 1: Types of worms.
4 Types of Worm Gears
The following three types of worm gears are important from the subject point of view:
1. Straight face worm gear, as shown in Fig. 2 (a),
2. Hobbed straight face worm gear, as shown in Fig. 2 (b), and
3. Concave face worm gear, as shown in Fig. 2 (c).
The straight face worm gear is like a helical gear in which the straight teeth are cut with a form cutter.
Since it has only point contact with the worm thread, therefore it is used for light service.
The hobbed straight face worm gear is also used for light service but its teeth are cut with a hob, after
which the outer surface is turned.
The concave face worm gear is the accepted standard form and is used for all heavy service and general
industrial uses. The teeth of this gear are cut with a hob of the same pitch diameter as the mating worm to
increase the contact area.
Figure 2: Types of worms gears.

5 Terms used in Worm Gearing
The following terms, in connection with the worm gearing, are important from the subject point of view:
1. Axial pitch. It is also known as linear pitch of a worm. It is the distance measured axially (i.e. parallel
to the axis of worm) from a point on one thread to the corresponding point on the adjacent thread on the
worm, as shown in Fig. 3. It may be noted that the axial pitch (pa) of a worm is equal to the circular
pitch (pc) of the mating worm gear, when the shafts are at right angles.
Figure 3: Worm and Worm gear.
2. Lead. It is the linear distance through which a point on a thread moves ahead in one revolution of the
worm. For single start threads, lead is equal to the axial pitch, but for multiple start threads, lead is equal
to the product of axial pitch and number of starts. Mathematically,
l = pan
3. Lead angle. It is the angle between the tangent to the thread helix on the pitch cylinder and the plane
normal to the axis of the worm. It is denoted by λ.
From the geometry of the ﬁgure, we ﬁnd that
tan λ =
Lead of the worm
Pitch circumference of the worm
=
l
π DW
=
pan
π DW
=
pcn
π DW
=
πmn
π DW
=
mn
DW
The lead angle (λ) may vary from 9o
to 45o
. It has been shown by F.A. Halsey that a lead angle less than
9o
results in rapid wear and the safe value of λ is 121
2
o
.
For a compact design, the lead angle may be determined by the following relation, i.e.
tan λ =
NG
NW
1/3
Figure 4: Development of a helix thread.

4. Tooth pressure angle. It is measured in a plane containing the axis of the worm and is equal to one-half
the thread profile angle as shown in Fig. 3.
The following table shows the recommended values of lead angle (λ) and tooth pressure angle (Φ).
For automotive applications, the pressure angle of 30o
is recommended to obtain a high efficiency and to
permit overhauling.
5. Normal pitch. It is the distance measured along the normal to the threads between two corresponding
points on two adjacent threads of the worm. Mathematically,
pN = pa cos λ
Note. The term normal pitch is used for a worm having single start threads. In case of a worm having
multiple start threads, the term normal lead (lN ) is used, such that
lN = l cos λ
6. Helix angle. It is the angle between the tangent to the thread helix on the pitch cylinder and the axis
of the worm. It is denoted by αW , in Fig. 3. The worm helix angle is the complement of worm lead angle,
i.e.
αW + λ = 90o
It may be noted that the helix angle on the worm is generally quite large and that on the worm gear is
very small. Thus, it is usual to specify the lead angle (λ) on the worm and helix angle (αG) on the worm
gear. These two angles are equal for a 90o
shaft angle.
7. Velocity ratio. It is the ratio of the speed of worm (NW ) in r.p.m. to the speed of the worm gear (NG)
in r.p.m. Mathematically, velocity ratio,
V.R. =
NW
NG
We know that linear velocity of the worm,
νw =
lNw
60
and linear velocity of the worm gear,
νG =
πDGNG
60
Since the linear velocity of the worm and worm gear are equal, therefore
lNw
60
=
πDGNG
60
⇒
NW
NG
=
πDG
l
We know that pitch circle diameter of the worm gear,
DG = mTG
where m is the module and TG is the number of teeth on the worm gear.
∴ V.R. =
NW
NG
=
πDG
l
=
πmTG
l
=
pcTG
l
=
paTG
pan
=
TG
n
From above, we see that velocity ratio may also be defined as the ratio of number of teeth on the worm
gear to the number of starts of the worm.
The following table shows the number of starts to be used on the worm for the different velocity ratios:

6 Proportions for Worms
The following table shows the various porportions for worms in terms of the axial or circular pitch (pc) in mm.
Notes:
1. The pitch circle diameter of the worm (DW ) in terms of the center distance between the shafts (x) may be
taken as follows:
DW =
x0.875
1.416
... (when x is in mm)
2. The pitch circle diameter of the worm (DW ) may also be taken as
DW = 3 pc, where pc is the axial or circular pitch.
3. The face length (or length of the threaded portion) of the worm should be increased by 25 to 30 mm for
the feed marks produced by the vibrating grinding wheel as it leaves the thread root.
7 Proportions for Worm Gear
The following table shows the various proportions for worm gears in terms of circular pitch (pc) in mm.

8 Efficiency of Worm Gearing
The efficiency of worm gearing may be defined as the ratio of work done by the worm gear to the work done by
the worm.
Mathematically, the efficiency of worm gearing is given by
η =
tan λ(cos φ − µ tan λ)
cos φ tan λ + µ
The efficiency is maximum, when
tan λ = 1 + µ2 − µ
In order to find the approximate value of the efficiency, assuming square threads, the following relation may be
used:
η =
tan λ(1 − µ tan λ)
tan λ + µ
=
1 − µ tan λ
1 + µ/ tan λ
=
tan λ
tan(λ + φ1)
The coefficient of friction varies with the speed, reaching a minimum value of 0.015 at a rubbing speed
νr = πDW NW
cos λ
between 100 and 165 m/min. For a speed below 10 m/min, take µ = 0.015. The following
empirical relations may be used to find the value of µ, i.e.
µ =
0.275
ν0.25
r
for rubbing speeds between 12 and 180 m/min
= 0.025 +
νr
18000
for rubbing speed more than 180 m/min
Note: If the efficiency of worm gearing is less than 50%, then the worm gearing is said to be self locking,
i.e. it cannot be driven by applying a torque to the wheel. This property of self locking is desirable in some
applications such as hoisting machinery.
9 Strength of Worm Gear Teeth
We know that according to Lewis equation,
WT = (σo Cv) b π m y
Notes:
1. The velocity factor is given by
Cv =
6
6 + v
, where v is the peripheral velocity of the worm gear in m/s.
2. The tooth form factor or Lewis factor (y) may be obtained i.e.
y = 0.124 −
0.684
TG
, for 14
1
2
o
involute teeth.
= 0.154 −
0.912
TG
, for 20o
involute teeth.
3. The dynamic tooth load on the worm gear is given by
WD =
WT
Cv
= WT
6 + v
6
where
WT = Actual tangential load on the tooth.
The dynamic load need not to be calculated because it is not so severe due to the sliding action between
the worm and worm gear.
4. The static tooth load or endurance strength of the tooth (WS) may also be obtained i.e.
WS = σe b π m y
where
σe = Flexural endurance limit. Its value may be taken as 84 MPa for cast iron and 168 MPa
for phosphor bronze gears.

10 Wear Tooth Load for Worm Gear
The limiting or maximum load for wear (WW ) is given by
WW = DG b K
The load stress factor depends upon the combination of materials used for the worm and worm gear. The
following table shows the values of load stress factor for different combination of worm and worm gear materials.
Note: The value of K given in the above table are suitable for lead angles upto 10o
. For lead angles between
10o
and 25o
, the values of K should be increased by 25 per cent and for lead angles greater than 25o
, increase
the value of K by 50 per cent.
11 Thermal Rating of Worm Gearing
In the worm gearing, the heat generated due to the work lost in friction must be dissipated in order to avoid
over heating of the drive and lubricating oil. The quantity of heat generated (Qg) is given by
Qg = Power lost in friction in watts = P(1 − η)
The heat dissipating capacity depends upon the following factors:
1. Area of the housing (A),
2. Temperature difference between the housing surface and surrounding air (t2 − t1), and
3. Conductivity of the material (K).
Mathematically, the heat dissipating capacity,
Qd = A(t2 − t1)K
We can find the temperature difference (t2 − t1). The average value of K may be taken as 378 W/m2
/o
C.
Notes:
1. The maximum temperature (t2 − t1) should not exceed 27 to 38o
C.
2. The maximum temperature of the lubricant should not exceed 60o
C.
3. According to AGMA recommendations, the limiting input power of a plain worm gear unit from the
standpoint of heat dissipation, for worm gear speeds upto 2000 r.p.m., may be checked from the following
relation, i.e.
P =
3650 x1.7
V.R. + 5
where
P = Permissible input power in kW,
x = Center distance in meters, and
V.R. = Velocity ratio or transmission ratio.

12 Forces Acting on Worm Gears
The various forces acting on the worm may be determined as follows:
1. Tangential force on the worm,
WT =
2 × Torque on worm
Pitch circle diameter of worm (DW )
= Axial force or thrust on the worm gear
The tangential force (WT ) on the worm produces a twisting moment of magnitude (WT ×DW /2) and bends
the worm in the horizontal plane.
2. Axial force or thrust on the worm,
WA = WT / tan λ = Tangential force on the worm gear
=
2 × Torque on the worm gear
Pitch circle diameter of worm gear (DG)
The axial force on the worm tends to move the worm axially, induces an axial load on the bearings and
bends the worm in a vertical plane with a bending moment of magnitude (WA × DW /2).
3. Radial or separating force on the worm,
WR = WA tan φ = Radial or separating force on the worm gear
The radial or separating force tends to force the worm and worm gear out of mesh. This force also bends
the worm in the vertical plane.
Figure 5: Forces acting on worm teeth.
13 Design of Worm Gearing
In designing a worm and worm gear, the quantities like the power transmitted, speed, velocity ratio and the
center distance between the shafts are usually given and the quantities such as lead angle, lead and number of
threads on the worm are to be determined. In order to determine the satisfactory combination of lead angle,
lead and center distance, the following method may be used:
From Fig. 6 we ﬁnd that the center distance,
x =
DW + DG
2

Figure 6: Worm and worm gear.
The center distance may be expressed in terms of the axial lead (l), lead angle (λ) and velocity ratio (V.R.), as
follows:
x =
l
2 π
(cot λ + V.R.)
In terms of normal lead (lN = l cos λ), the above expression may be written as:
x =
lN
2 π
(
1
sin λ
+
V.R.
cos λ
)
Since the velocity ratio (V.R.) is usually given, therefore the equation contains three variables i.e. x, lN and λ.
The right hand side of the above expression may be calculated for various values of velocity ratios and the curves
are plotted as shown in Fig. 7. The lowest point on each of the curves gives the lead angle which corresponds
to the minimum value of x/lN . This minimum value represents the minimum center distance that can be used
with a given lead or inversely the maximum lead that can be used with a given center distance. Now by using
Table 31.2 and standard modules, we can determine the combination of lead angle, lead, center distance and
diameters for the given design speciﬁcations.
Figure 7: Worm gear design curves.
Note: The lowest point on the curve may be determined mathematically by diﬀerentiating the equation with
respect to λ and equating to zero, i.e.
(V.R.) sin3
λ − cos3
λ
sin2
λ cos2 λ
= 0 ⇒ V.R. = cot3
λ

15 References
1. R.S. KHURMI, J.K. GUPTA, A Textbook Of Machine Design
16 Contacts
mohamed.atyya94@eng-st.cu.edu.eg

Worm gears

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