How is gear ratio calculated?

Prepare for the Red Seal Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Exam with interactive flashcards and multiple choice questions, including hints and explanations. Ace your test!

The calculation of gear ratio is determined by taking the number of teeth on the driven gear and dividing it by the number of teeth on the driving gear. This means that if you have a gear that is driving another gear, the gear ratio helps to understand how many rotations the driving gear makes in relation to the driven gear.

When you calculate the gear ratio in this manner, you can determine how speed and torque are affected throughout a mechanical system. For example, a higher gear ratio means that the driver gear will turn more times than the driven gear for the same amount of input rotation, which usually results in increased torque at the expense of speed.

This calculation is essential in applications that require precise control over speed and torque, such as in machinery, vehicles, and industrial equipment, ensuring that the power transmitted through the gears meets the operational requirements effectively.

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