Mitre & Bevel Gears

Mitre and bevel gears are specialised components designed to transfer rotational motion between intersecting shafts, typically oriented at a right angle. These perpendicular gears use conical, tooth-bearing faces to ensure smooth power transmission in diverse mechanical systems.

At RS Australia, we supply a comprehensive selection of steel bevel gears, as well as stainless steel and high-strength plastic options. Our inventory spans modules from Mod 1.0 to 5.0, ensuring all units meet stringent AS/NZS standards.

Whether you require large industrial sets or small bevel gears, there’s a reliable solution for you.

How Do Mitre and Bevel Gears Work?

Mitre and bevel gears rely on their unique conical geometry to transmit rotary motion between intersecting shafts. Unlike standard cylindrical gears that operate in parallel, the tapered gears are able to mesh at an angle with tooth-bearing faces.

As the driving gear rotates, its teeth lock into those of the driven gear, redirecting the mechanical power across perpendicular gears.

This design ensures a smooth, continuous transfer of energy, allowing machinery to turn corners with minimal friction.

Differences Between Mitre Gears and Bevel Gears

The primary distinction between mitre and bevel gears lies in their gear ratio, which determines whether the system merely redirects motion or actively alters the mechanical output of the drive.

• Mitre Gears: Mitre gears are specific 1:1 ratio gear sets designed to change the direction of motion, typically by 90 degrees. They redirect power across perpendicular gears without altering the input speed or torque.
• Bevel Gears: Designed with varying ratios, such as 2:1 or 3:1, bevel gears simultaneously change drive direction and adjust speed and torque output.

Types of Bevel Gears for Industrial Applications

Various bevel gears are available to suit different torque capacities, noise reduction needs, and rotational speeds within diverse mechanical environments.

Straight Bevel Gears

As the most common variant for intersecting shafts, these gears are ideal for low-speed applications. They often utilise "Coniflex" or Gleason tooth forms to provide a localised tooth bearing, ensuring durability and reliable performance in heavy-duty machinery.

Spiral Bevel Gears

Featuring sophisticated curved teeth, these bevel gears provide a much smoother and quieter operation during high-speed rotations. Their design allows for superior load capacities, making them the preferred choice for advanced automotive and aerospace power transmissions.

Zerol Bevel Gears

This hybrid design incorporates curved teeth with a 0° spiral angle, combining the benefits of straight and spiral types. By reducing thrust loads, they offer a stable and efficient solution for precision-dependent gearboxes and cooling towers.

Selecting the Right Gear Material

Bevel gears are available in various materials, enabling them to withstand the environmental stresses and load requirements across mechanical systems.

As such, making the correct material selection is vital for long-term operational reliability.

• Medium Carbon Steel (S45C): Renowned for its high strength and durability, medium carbon steel bevel gears are the industry standard for general manufacturing. The material provides the necessary robustness to handle heavy mechanical loads and significant wear over time.
• Stainless Steel (303/304): Offering superior corrosion resistance, stainless steel bevel gears are essential for specialised sectors, such as food-processing and the marine industry, across Australia. They maintain structural integrity and hygiene standards in environments prone to moisture or chemical exposure.
• Engineering Plastics: Materials like nylon and acetal are ideal for small bevel gears requiring lightweight or lubrication-free performance. These options are perfect for low-noise applications, such as medical devices or precision instruments, where quiet operation is paramount.

How to Measure and Identify a Tapered Gear

Because bevel gears feature a conical profile with varying tooth sizes and diameters, users often find it challenging to identify the correct replacement component required.

Therefore, accurate measurement is essential to ensure a smooth mesh. Keep the following criteria in mind when making your selection:

• Module (Mod): This defines the tooth size and is calculated by dividing the pitch diameter by the number of teeth. Matching this value is critical, as gears must share the same module to mesh.
• Pressure Angle: Selecting the correct angle ensures the teeth engage properly without slipping or causing premature mechanical wear. Most standard stock at RS Australia follows a 20° pressure angle.
• Mounting Distance: This represents the distance from the gear's back surface to the intersection point of the shafts. Precise measurement prevents tooth binding or excessive backlash, ensuring your perpendicular gears operate quietly.

Industrial Applications for Perpendicular Gears

Mitre and bevel perpendicular gears are indispensable across a broad range of Australian industries. By facilitating the seamless transfer of power at 90-degree angles, these components allow for more compact and efficient machinery designs.

• Food and Beverage: In automated production lines, mitre gears are vital for synchronising packaging and canning equipment. They ensure that conveyors and filling stations operate with the precise timing required for high-speed bottling and food processing.
• Welding: Mechanical welding positioning equipment relies on steel bevel gears to rotate heavy workpieces. This allows for automated, multi-angle welding, ensuring consistent bead quality and structural integrity in large-scale industrial fabrication.
• Machining: Machine tools like mills and lathes utilise these gears to drive auxiliary shafts and tool feeds. Their ability to redirect torque across intersecting axes is essential for the complex movements needed in precision metalworking.
• Oil and Gas: Within the energy sector, perpendicular gears are used in robust compression systems to manage the flow of natural gas. Their high load capacity ensures reliable performance in the demanding environments of extraction and refining plants.
• Landscaping: Commercial mowers and garden machinery employ small bevel gears to transmit power from the engine to the cutting blades. This redirecting of drive allows for efficient, low-profile deck designs that improve cutting performance.
• Piping: In large-scale fluid management, these gears are integrated into fluid control valves. They provide the mechanical advantage necessary to manually or automatically operate high-pressure gate and globe valves in industrial pipelines.
• Cooling Towers: Large-scale cooling towers use spiral bevel gears within fan drive gearboxes. These systems redirect power from a horizontal motor to a vertical fan shaft, ensuring efficient heat dissipation in power plants and refineries.
• Printing: Precision is paramount in offset printing presses, where gears ensure the synchronisation of rollers. High-quality bevel gears help maintain tight tolerances, preventing registration errors during high-volume print runs.

Installation and Maintenance in Right-Angle Drives

Proper installation and diligent maintenance are critical for perpendicular gears, as they ensure optimal power transmission and prevent premature mechanical failure in right-angle drives.

• Lubricate: Regularly apply high-quality gear oil to your gears to reduce friction and mitigate heat generation during operation.
• Ensure shaft alignment: Rigid mounting is essential to maintain shaft deflection below 0.025mm, which is vital for extending gear life.
• Use replacement sets: Always buy bevel gears as a matched pinion and gear set to ensure optimised meshing, as individual replacements can cause uneven wear.

Buy Mitre & Bevel Gears Online from RS Australia

RS Australia is a premier supplier and distributor of mechanical power transmission components, offering a vast selection of high-performance mitre and bevel gears for sale. We source our products from reputable brands like RS PRO, ensuring you receive reliable, high-quality goods that meet industrial standards.

Beyond our perpendicular gears, we also stock a wide array of components, including shaft collars, spur gears, and flexible couplings, to support all your mechanical requirements.

Explore our user-friendly online platform for the full catalogue and have items shipped directly to your door. With our swift and flexible delivery options, you can maintain project timelines for all industrial and commercial needs when you buy from us.

For more details on delivery schedules and rates, please consult our delivery information page.