Plastic gears are cheaper, quieter, and require less lubrication than steel gears. They are used in machines such as copiers and printers, and are ideal for lightweight machines and those operating in dirty environments. Plastic gears are also self-lubricating and easier to clean.
A plastic gear is a gear that is manufactured from plastic. Plastic gears are used in many machines, from copiers to printers. Plastic gears are much cheaper to produce and allow the manufacturer to deliver a product at a lower cost to the customer. Plastic gears are quieter and require less lubrication than their steel counterparts.
When deciding to use a plastic gear in a machine, the manufacturer must look at a number of variables. The load placed on the plastic gear is at the top of that list. Other factors are the noise level at which the machine will operate. Most machines used in an office use a series of plastic gears to allow the machine to operate with substantial noise reduction.
Cost is always a determining factor in deciding to use a plastic gear. The cost of machining a metal gear is substantially higher than the cost of casting a plastic gear. Also, often using a metal gear would be detrimental to the life of an office product. The use of plastics and polymers in lightweight machines requires the use of a plastic gear. Metal gears would tend to grind the plastic tracks they operate on.
Machines such as video cassette players prone to dust and dirt use plastic gears not only for lightweight properties but also for the ability to operate in dirty environments. A plastic gear tolerates dirt and debris much better than a metal gear. Metal gear curtain to grind and pulverize a dirt particle while a plastic gear tends to absorb the dirt particle. This avoids frequent maintenance problems.
Many plastics are self-lubricating. This tendency of plastics to lubricate itself is a very reliable feature when designing products for the home. By using the plastic gears, the product is able to provide continuous service without the need for as much routine maintenance. This is especially useful in food preparation machinery. This type of machine is typically unable to use petroleum-based lubricants in certain areas, especially those that actually come into contact with the food product. Plastic gears are also much easier to clean and sanitize.
The ability to carry a comparable load while remaining quiet and lightweight, as well as more cost-effective manufacturing features make the use of plastic gears a very popular choice in manufacturing. In areas of high humidity or humidity found in many food preparation machines, the non-corrosive properties of plastic make it an obvious choice over its metal cousin.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
