Plastic Spur Gears With Steel Core

Plastic Spur Gears with Steel Core

Metal Inserts

Injection molded metal inserts are used in plastic gears for a variety of reasons:

1. To avoid an extra finishing operation.

2. To achieve greater dimensional stability, because the metal will shrink less and is not sensitive to moisture; 

    it is, also, a better heat sink.

3. To provide greater load-carrying capacity.

4. To provide increased rigidity.

5. To permit repeated assembly and disassembly.

6. To provide a more precise bore to shaft fit.

7. As a durable support for fasteners, such as set screws to affix the gear to the shaft.

Inserts can be molded into the part or subsequently assembled. In the case of subsequent assembly, stress concentrations may be present and lead to cracking of the parts. The interference limits for press fits must be obeyed depending on the material used; also, proper minimum wall thicknesses around the inserts must be observed. The insertion of inserts may be accomplished by ultrasonically driving in the insert. In this case, the material actually melts into the knurling at the insert periphery.

Inserts are usually produced by screw machines and made of aluminum or brass. It is advantageous to attempt to match the coefficient of thermal expansion of the plastic to the materials used for inserts. This will reduce the residual stresses in the plastic part of the gear during contraction while cooling after molding.