Spur gears can be made from metals such as steel or brass, or from plastics such as nylon or polycarbonate. BS 6168 discusses the specification for non-metallic spur gears.
BS 6168 is a British Standard that specifies dimensional, accuracy, and material requirements for spur gears made from non-metallic materials in pitch sizes of 0.50 module to 50 modules (48 to 0.50 diametral pitch) and also gives guidance on lubrication and lists information to be given on drawings.
BS 6168 guidelines include:
Note 1: Surface finish requirements for thermoplastics gears are not specified in BS 6168 as insufficient authoritative data on the subject exists at present.
Note 2: Helical gears are not within the scope of BS 6168.
BS 6168 on the specification for non-metallic spur gears is useful for:
Users of motors and components such as:
Spur gears are used in mechanical applications to increase or decrease the speed of a device or multiply torque by transmitting motion and power from one shaft to another through a series of mated gears.
The ranges of modules and diametral pitches employed include those specified in BS 436-1 and BS 436-2. The basic tooth form and the accuracy grades specified are selected from those specified in BS 436-1 and BS 436-2.
BS 6168 walks you through aspects such as the basic rack tooth profile, normal modules, and normal diametral pitches, fabrication with guidance on measurement, accuracy, gear errors, and tolerances; of non-metallic spur gears.
BS 6168 guidelines help you to follow best practices when designing and manufacturing non-metallic spur gears.