| 1 |
Multi-stage planetary |
94–98% |
20:1–10,000:1 |
Very high |
Low to very low, typically 1–15 arcmin |
Continuous and high shock loads |
Robotics, wind turbines, machine tools, heavy automation |
| 2 |
Single-stage helical |
96–98% |
1.5:1–6:1 |
High |
Low, commonly 5–15 arcmin |
Continuous operation with moderate loads |
Conveyors, pumps, fans, compressors, mixers |
| 3 |
Bevel-helical |
94–97% |
3:1–200:1 |
High |
Low, commonly 5–20 arcmin |
Continuous duty and reversing service |
Right-angle conveyors, material handling, packaging equipment |
| 4 |
Parallel-shaft helical |
93–97% |
3:1–200:1 |
High |
Low, commonly 5–20 arcmin |
High radial loads and continuous duty |
Belt conveyors, elevators, crushers, process lines |
| 5 |
Two-stage helical |
93–96% |
6:1–60:1 |
Medium-high |
Low, commonly 8–25 arcmin |
Continuous duty with balanced efficiency and cost |
Industrial drives, pumps, agitators, conveyors |
| 6 |
Single-stage bevel |
95–98% |
1.5:1–5:1 |
Medium-high |
Low, commonly 5–15 arcmin |
High-speed, right-angle transmission |
Machine tools, printing equipment, compact conveyors |
| 7 |
Two-stage worm |
55–85% |
20:1–3,600:1 |
Medium |
Moderate, commonly 10–30 arcmin |
Intermittent or moderate continuous duty |
Lifts, gates, conveyors, low-speed positioning systems |
| 8 |
Single-stage worm |
70–92% |
5:1–100:1 |
Medium |
Moderate, commonly 10–25 arcmin |
Low-to-moderate speed and load cycles |
Small conveyors, actuators, rotary tables, valve drives |
| 9 |
Cycloidal |
85–95% |
6:1–119:1 |
Very high |
Very low, commonly 1–6 arcmin |
High shock loads and frequent reversing |
Robotics, indexing systems, positioning equipment, agitators |
| 10 |
Harmonic strain-wave |
70–90% |
30:1–160:1 |
Very high for compact size |
Extremely low, commonly below 1 arcmin |
Precision, low-to-moderate torque duty |
Robot joints, semiconductor equipment, optical and medical systems |