Worm Gear Drive WE19 Heavy Duty Rotary Power

Worm Gear Drive WE19 Heavy Duty Rotary Power

What is Worm Gear Drive WE19

Worm Gear Drive WE19 is an integrated drive component engineered for industrial systems requiring exceptional load handling and safety. WE19 combines a rugged housing, a precision-ground worm shaft, and a bronze alloy worm wheel operating within a sealed enclosure. This configuration enables it to simultaneously manage axial loads, radial forces, and tilting moments up to 196 kN.m. Its defining feature is the inherent self-locking mechanism that prevents back-driving when input power stops, ensuring fail-safe operation in critical applications like aerial platforms or material handling. The drive achieves significant speed reduction through its 94:1 ratio while multiplying torque output to 18.5 kN.m. Optimized ZK-type tooth geometry minimizes sliding friction while hardened steel/bronze material pairing enhances durability. With IP65-rated sealing protecting against dust ingress and water jets, WE19 maintains reliability in construction sites, mining operations, and outdoor installations where contamination resistance is non-negotiable.

Why Worm and Wheel Teeth Need Different Hardness in Rotary Drives

The deliberate hardness differential between the worm shaft and worm wheel is fundamental to WE19's longevity. The hardened steel worm (typically 58-62 HRC) acts upon the softer bronze wheel (≈80 HB). This intentional mismatch serves three critical functions. First, it minimizes adhesive wear - sliding contact between dissimilar metals reduces material transfer compared to identical hard surfaces. Second, the softer bronze wheel can embed microscopic abrasive particles, preventing them from scoring the hardened worm surface. Third, the bronze material provides natural lubricity even under boundary lubrication conditions. If both components were equally hard, accelerated pitting and scuffing would occur due to metal-to-metal adhesion. Conversely, if both were soft, rapid tooth deformation would result. The WE19 leverages this metallurgical principle: the hardened worm maintains precise tooth geometry over millions of cycles while the sacrificial bronze wheel wears predictably and remains replaceable. This extends service life beyond 15,000 operating hours in harsh environments.

Key Features of Worm Gear Drive WE19

WE19 distinguishes itself through these performance-engineered attributes:

18.5 kN.m Output Torque: Generates massive rotational force for moving heavy loads in mining shovels or industrial turntables.

196 kN.m Tilting Moment Resistance: Maintains structural integrity under extreme off-center loads common in crane jibs or excavator attachments.

80.1 kN.m Holding Torque: Provides inherent braking security without external devices, critical for suspended loads.

94:1 Reduction Ratio: Optimizes torque multiplication while enabling precise low-speed control.

≤0.1° Tracking Accuracy: Ensures repeatable positioning for automated welding cells or solar trackers.

Self-Locking Security: Prevents uncontrolled reversal in power-off scenarios, meeting ISO 14118 safety standards.

IP65 Sealed Housing: Excludes dust and withstands water jets from any direction for quarry or marine applications.

Pre-Lubricated for Life: Factory-filled with synthetic EP grease eliminating maintenance for most duty cycles.

Dual Mounting Surfaces: Machined interfaces simplify integration with hydraulic motors or IEC frame electric motors.

Applications of Worm Gear Drive WE19

WE19's combination of power and precision enables deployment across industries:

Aerial Work Platforms: Powers boom rotation in 45m+ lifts where self-locking prevents catastrophic platform drift.

Mining Drilling Rigs: Handles extreme shock loads during drilling while IP65 sealing protects against rock dust.

Industrial Mixers: Drives 20-ton concrete mixer drums with consistent torque under variable material loads.

Crane Slewing Systems: Provides ≤0.1° positioning accuracy for shipyard gantry cranes handling precision loads.

Solar Tracker Drives: Maintains panel alignment against wind forces using holding torque up to 80.1 kN.m.

Automated Storage Retrieval Systems (ASRS): Enables precise pallet positioning in high-bay warehouses.

Foundry Equipment: Rotates casting ladles handling molten metal, withstanding radiant heat up to 120°C.

Port Handling Cranes: Operates grab rotators in corrosive salt-spray environments with IP65 protection.

Factors Affecting Worm Gear Drive WE19 Pricing

WE19 pricing varies based on these key determinants:

Material Specifications: Aircraft-grade bronze wheels add 15-20% versus standard alloy. Stainless steel hardware for marine use increases cost.

Custom Machining: Non-standard mounting flanges or shaft configurations require additional CNC programming and setup.

Precision Class: Achieving ≤0.05° tracking (beyond standard ≤0.1°) necessitates specialized grinding, increasing cost by 25-30%.

Thermal Treatment: Deep cryogenic hardening of worm shafts extends service life but adds processing expense.

Sealing Upgrades: Viton seals for chemical resistance or -40°C low-temperature variants impact pricing.

Certification Requirements: CE, DNV-GL, or ATEX certification involves third-party testing fees.

Order Volume: Unit costs decrease by 8-12% for orders exceeding 50 units due to production optimization.

Integrated Components: Including absolute encoders or torque limiters adds peripheral costs.

Global Logistics: Sea freight vs air shipping and import duties affect regional pricing differentials.

Supplier of Worm Gear Drive WE19

LYRADRIVE engineers and manufactures the WE19 series using CNC gear grinding and automated assembly. Their ISO 9001-certified facility employs statistical process control to maintain ±0.005mm tolerance standards. With in-house metallurgical testing and 72-hour continuous run validation protocols, LYRADRIVE guarantees WE19 drives meet published torque ratings. Their application engineers provide CAD integration support and lifecycle maintenance planning.