Gears & gear trains worksheet with answers

Free printable Gears & gear trains worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy
d1​ = 100 mmd2​ = 250 mm960 rpmn2​ = ?

A motor turning at 960 rpm drives a 100 mm pulley. A belt connects it to a 250 mm pulley. Assuming no slip, find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 960 rpmd1 = 100 mmd2 = 250 mm
n2 = rpm
2.Easy
N1​ = 30N2​ = 32

A pinion with 30 teeth meshes with a gear with 32 teeth. Both have a module of 1 mm. Find the centre distance a between the two shafts.

N1 = 30N2 = 32m = 1 mm
a = mm
3.Medium
N1​N2​ = ?

Two parallel shafts are 162 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 3 mm and a speed reduction of 5 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 162 mmm = 3 mmi = 5
N2 =
4.Medium
N1​ = 12N2​ = 18

A 4 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 12 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 18 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 4 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 12N2 = 18η = 96%
T2 = N·m
5.Hard
A = 30B = 36C = 15D = 30

In a compound gear train, gear A (30 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1500 rpm drives gear B (36 teeth). Gear C (15 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (30 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1500 rpmA = 30B = 36C = 15D = 30
nout = rpm
6.Hard
A = 25B = 48C = 18D = 30

In a compound gear train, gear A (25 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1500 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (30 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1500 rpmA = 25B = 48C = 18D = 30
nout = rpm

Answer key

  1. 1. n2 = 384 rpm
  2. 2. a = 31 mm
  3. 3. N2 = 90
  4. 4. T2 = 18.97 N·m
  5. 5. nout = 625 rpm
  6. 6. nout = 468.8 rpm

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