Planetary gearhead source? Advice?

[strokersix]

I'm working on a project where we need a gear reduction of 25-30:1. Input is a brushless DC motor with frame size similar (but not exactly) to NEMA 42. Motor rated shaft output is 3 lb-ft at 2800 RPM. Controller is designed to limit the motor shaft output to 14 lb-in peak and 7 lb-in continuous.

I think the simplest way to accomplish this is with an inline planetary gearhead similar to what is commonly used for motion control applications. The difference is we don't care about the positional accuracy or backlash of the gearhead. Minimum design life should be 2000 hours.

Can someone suggest a source for production volumes of 2500 annually for such a gearhead? Cost is extremely important for this project. I'll also welcome suggestions for a different approach.

Thank you.

 

[ccw]

Hi strokersix,
Sounds like you will probably wind up in China with production. I was thinking of all those planetary boxes on battery powered drills and screwdrivers at Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc. Yours is a bit larger, but maybe they will justify tooling up for your 2500 annually. The ones I have torn apart have all journal bearings, molded nylon or delrin gears, SST shafts, and grease for lubrication.