How To Choose The Right Varvel Drive?

To choose the right Varvel drive, consider the type of application, required torque and speed, and any specific industry requirements. Selecting the appropriate drive involves determining the torque and speed demands of your application, ensuring the torque capacity and reduction ratio meet operational needs. Industry-specific considerations—like corrosion-resistant hubs for food and marine environments or reinforced materials for heavy-duty use—are also critical. Lastly, always account for the service and duty factors to guarantee reliable, long-term performance and choose a mounting option compatible with your system layout.

Main Factors To Consider

When choosing Varvel drives consider these main factors in order to find the right drive for each application.

The driving force to rotate the load. Ensure a drive with a torque capability that exceeds the application’s requirements is used. 

The required speed output from the drive. Calculate the speed required in the application and use a drive that can produce and maintain that speed.

Depending on the model of the drive, Varvel drives can come with worm or helical gears. Determine which style would work best with the application.

Consider how many stages the gearbox will need for the application. Varvel manufactures drives with single, two, and three stage gearboxes.

Take into consideration the daily hour of operation, the stop and start cycles, and load conditions. Ensure the Varvel drive being used is suited for this duty cycle. 

Varvel manufactures drives with different shaft orientations, such as in-line, 90 degree, and parallel. Make sure a drive with the correct shaft orientation for the application is chosen.

Additional Factors To Consider

Use these additional factors to ensure the Varvel drive being used is the optimal choice for the application.

Mounting

Evaluate the space and orientation of the application and use a Varvel drive suited for this mounting setup.

Maintenance

Take into consideration the maintenance requirements of the drive and see if it aligns with the demands of the application.

Operating Environment

Consider the working environment of the drive. such as if it will be dusty, clean, wet, or corrosive. Choose a Varvel drive that is optimal for it's environment.

Accessories

Another factor to consider are accessories. Will the application require add on accessories such as speed variators, modules, or couplings? Ensure the right accessories are being used.

Additional Resources

RS And RT Catalog

A catalog showing the information and abilities of the RS and RT model Varvel drives.

RN, RO, And RV Catalog

A catalog showing the information and abilities of the RN, RO, and RV model Varvel drives.

Drives By Industry

Looking to find the right Varvel drives by industry? Check out our markets page and find the specific Varvel drives used by each industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

A worm gearbox, also known as a worm gear reducer or worm drive, is a mechanical power transmission device that uses a screw-like worm to engage with a worm wheel, transferring rotational motion and power between two non-intersecting shafts at right angles. This design enables a high reduction ratio in a compact space, making it ideal for applications requiring significant speed reduction and increased torque, such as lifts, elevators, and industrial machinery. Worm gearboxes are valued for their smooth and quiet operation, high torque output, and self-locking capabilities in certain designs, which prevent backdriving. Their compact size allows for easy integration into space-constrained applications.

Helical drive gearboxes utilize helical gears, which have angled teeth for smoother, quieter, and more efficient power transmission compared to spur gears. The angled teeth enable gradual engagement, reducing noise and vibration while increasing efficiency and load capacity. These gearboxes are versatile, supporting both parallel and non-parallel shaft applications, and are widely used in industries such as material handling, conveyors, textiles, plastics, food processing, earth-moving, steel mills, power plants, and ship turbines. Common types include single helical gears, with teeth angled in one direction, and double helical gears, which have opposing angles for higher load capacity. Their durability and efficiency make them essential in heavy-duty industrial applications.

The Varvel Group has been a trusted manufacturer of gearboxes, gearmotors, and speed variators for low and medium power applications since 1955, serving international power transmission customers for 70 years. With unmatched expertise, Varvel offers a wide range of standard products and custom solutions tailored to specific needs. Committed to continuous innovation, the company's Research and Development department drives advancements to meet the demands of an ever-evolving market, ensuring reliable and cutting-edge solutions for industrial applications.

Varvel drives are renowned for their durability, reliability, and efficiency, making them a trusted choice across various industries, including food, packaging, chemical, and industrial. Designed to withstand demanding industrial environments, Varvel gearboxes and gearmotors offer long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. Their high efficiency ensures optimal energy consumption, while their versatility allows seamless integration into different machines. In industrial automation, they provide smooth and reliable rotation, while in the food industry, they are used in stretch film packaging machines. Additionally, their strength and resilience make them well-suited for mining applications. Varvel’s worm gearboxes, known for their excellent quality-to-price ratio, quiet operation, and low maintenance requirements, further enhance their reputation for durability and dependability.

A speed variator is a mechanical device that enables smooth and continuous variation of the speed ratio between an input shaft (connected to a motor or engine) and an output shaft (driving the machinery). Unlike traditional gearboxes with fixed ratios, speed variators allow for flexible and efficient speed control across a wide range. They operate by adjusting the contact area or position of internal components, which changes the effective diameter or drive ratio. Friction-based variators achieve this by moving belts or discs to vary the radius at which power is transmitted, while ball-based variators use rotating balls whose angle determines the speed ratio. Hydrostatic variators, on the other hand, utilize a variable displacement pump and fixed displacement motor to modulate speed hydraulically. These systems are often part of Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) and are valued for their ability to deliver smooth speed transitions, enhance efficiency, and adapt to different load conditions in both industrial and automotive applications.

Have more questions about Varvel drives?

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