Comparing Solid And Hollow Shaft Gear Motors

Solid shaft gear motors are simpler to manufacture and are more resistant to buckling and cycling loads. Hollow shaft gear motors, on the other hand, are lightweight, use less material and are excellent for applications involving spatial constraints. However, both types of gear motors also have their own drawbacks. Bauer GMC, a reputed distributor of gear motors and AC electric motors in Mississauga, Ontario, shares the pros and cons of these two types of motors in this blog.

What Are The Pros Of Solid Shaft Gear Motors?

Simple To Manufacture

Solid shaft gear motors are quite simple to manufacture or procure. This is because they are used more widely across industries and projects. 

Resistant To Buckling

When high compressive loads are acting on a solid shaft gear motor, it is far less likely to buckle or break.

Resistant To Cycling Loads

If load conditions keep changing frequently, it can cause fatigue in some gear motors. However, solid shaft gear motors are more resistant to load cycling.

What Are The Cons Of Solid Shaft Gear Motors?

Not Suitable For Lightweight Applications

Since solid shaft gear motors are quite heavy, they are not very suitable for applications where weight constraints are a major factor.

Inefficient Use Of Materials

More material is required to manufacture solid shaft gear motors, making it wasteful for certain applications.

What Are The Pros Of Hollow Shaft Gear Motors?

Lightweight

The biggest benefit of a hollow shaft gear motor is its lightweight. This makes it invaluable in applications where less weight is a plus.

Comparative Stiffness And Strength

Hollow shaft gear motors can be quite strong and provide torsional stiffness like solid shaft gear motors, provided the walls are thick enough.

Space-Efficient

The hollow space in the gear motors can be utilized to store or route other components, making it more space-efficient.

What Are The Cons Of Hollow Shaft Gear Motors?

Complex To Manufacture

Hollow shaft gear motors are quite complex to manufacture, making them more expensive and time-consuming to make.

Less Resistant To Stresses

If the walls of the hollow shaft gear motor are not thick enough, it might lead to buckling and fatigue under certain load conditions.

Conclusion

In summary, both solid and hollow shaft gear motors have their own features and drawbacks, which means that their application depends on the situation.

To learn more about gear motors, contact us at Bauer GMC today. We are a proud distributor of high-quality gear motors, AC electric motors, and gear reducers that are durable and versatile. For more details, contact us today at 905-814-5152.

FAQs:

What are the applications of solid shaft gear motors?

Conveyors, pumps, heavy machinery, and agricultural equipment can benefit from using solid shaft gear motors.

What are the applications of hollow shaft gear motors?

Hollow shaft gear motors can be used in material handling systems, robotics, automation, pumps, mixers, and more.