Many lifesaving tools in medical facilities have one thing in common—the use of Falk gearboxes. Gearboxes are a part of the driving units of movable parts in medical equipment. These components must have strict quality requirements to ensure they function correctly and remain reliable without fail. When it comes to Falk gearbox parts, medical applications have a unique set of priorities in regard to size, speed, the materials used, load capacity, and noise levels produced. Because of their ability to produce great rotational forces, gearboxes are vital to manufacturing advancements in the medical community.
Modern Medical Equipment that Use Falk Gearboxes
- Surgical tables
- Patient beds
- MRI scanners
- X-ray scanners
- Medical pumps
- CAT scan machines
- Dental equipment
- IV infusion pump machines
- Motorized drills
- Motorized saws
- Mammography machines
- Wheelchairs
- Electronic ramps and lifts
- Centrifuge
- Pharmaceutical dispensing equipment
- Robotic surgical arms
- Rotating trays
Characteristics of Falk Gears in Medical Devices
- Long operating life
- Low heat generation
- Low noise
- Low heat generation
- Lightweight
- Compact
- High reliability
- Efficient
- Low vibration
- Smooth quiet operation
- Accuracy
Falk Speed Gearboxes Used in Medical Equipment
There are a variety of gearboxes used in the medical industry with different performance, size, ratio, efficiency and backlash characteristics. Common types used in healthcare applications include:
- Bevel gearbox: Bevel gearboxes have spiral teeth gears or straight teeth gears. Those with straight, tapered teeth are better for applications that require durability and slow speeds. The curved, oblique teeth on spiral bevel gears are best for applications requiring high performance at higher speeds. Right-angle applications with shafts in a perpendicular arrangement frequently use bevel gears. Drills often contain bevel gearboxes.
- Helical gearbox: Cut at angles that allow for gradual contact, helical gears are great for smooth, quiet and efficient operations at higher horsepower. The gears may mesh in cross or parallel orientations. They’re sometimes found in label printers, cutting tools, blowers and elevators.
- Spur gearbox: Designed with straight teeth on a parallel shaft, spur gears are compact and cost-effective. They’re available in a variety of sizes for applications that require specific speeds or torque outputs. Falk gearbox specialists use them in applications requiring high torque output at slower speeds and for speed control purposes.
- Worm gearbox: Great for withstanding high shock loads, worm gears are quiet and virtually maintenance-free. In such a gearbox configuration, a worm turns the gear, allowing for great precision. Worm gears are sometimes found in braking systems and applications requiring right-angle configurations, such as presses.
- Planetary gearbox: Resembling a solar system, planetary gearboxes contain planetary gears, a ring gear, and a central sun gear. They’re ideal for compact applications that require efficiency, shock resistance, high torque-to-weight ratios and low backlash. Planetary gearboxes are known for their great stability, load distribution and high power density. Devices such as wheelchairs and fluid transfer equipment use planetary gearboxes.
Medical equipment may also gearmotors, which may have an AC or DC motor coupled with a gearbox. Gearmotors add mechanical gears to alter the torque and speed of medical equipment, as well as provide greater accuracy and control. They’re also durable, reliable and compact. Specialists often build gearmotors using planetary and spur gearboxes for medical applications because of their strength and precision.
Mar-Dustrial offers an extensive range of affordable Falk gearboxes and gearbox parts to help the medical industry create cost-effective, competitive solutions. Our Falk gearbox specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer all your questions about the best components for your specific application. Shop our selection today.
Posted under Falk Gearboxes on Tuesday, May 15th, 2018