Metric gears are essential components for machine builders to ensure proper fit and function, keeping packaging machinery running smoothly.
KHK USA, a provider of stock metric gearing, showcased just a small portion of its extensive catalog at the inaugural Pack Expo Southeast in Atlanta earlier this year.
“Our current catalog contains 27,000 configurations of stock metric gearing, suitable for packaging machinery,” said Brian Dengel, KHK USA general manager, in an interview with Packaging OEM.
The company, which is based in New York, serves as a subsidiary of Japan’s Kohara Gear Industry. KHK USA is a full-service distributor of KHK gears with a large selection of products available for OEMs off-the-shelf or on order.
Collaborating with machine builders
KHK USA works alongside machine builders to provide standardized gears.
“We have spur gearing, helical gears, gear racks, plastic, steel – we have screw gearing, worm and worm wheels, and various types of bevel gearing,” said Dengel. “For a lot of packaging equipment, you’re going to have linear translation, so you’re going to be looking at rack and pinion.”
The company is positioned to serve a variety of industries, including food, which requires hygienic components for its machinery.
“You’re going to want to have stainless steel or plastic because they’re both suitable for washdown conditions,” said Dengel. “The stainless steel can handle caustic solvents.”
Dengel and his team can assist on more industrial automation applications as well.
“For high-load applications, you want to go with a helical rack because it’s going to give you more torque capacity over the same phase width,” said Dengel. “We also offer a round rack, which is good for oscillating systems.”
Customer support and resources
Imagining thousands of types of gears may seem overwhelming, but KHK USA is ready to help.
“Our application engineering team is extensively trained in the different applications and types of gearing for each one,” said Dengel.
KHK USA offers a variety of resources on its website, including free gear calculation and drawing software, web-based shopping, and a downloadable catalog.
If you missed the innovation at Pack Expo Southeast, view our photo gallery to relive the highlights.
