Worm Gearboxes - Cast Iron vs. Aluminum

What is your application?

there is a big difference between a race car and a bull dozer.

Thanks for your post.

I work on a lot of fractional horsepower applications like, conveyors, lifts, automatic doors etc...

I look at OEM machines/applications like what I work on and I see a lot of cast iron right angle worm gearboxes in use. When I see this I ask myself does this application really need a cast iron gearbox? Does it really require that "heavy duty" of a gearbox? Wouldn't aluminum be more cost effective and lightweight?

If you have experience in with these types of applications and can give me any insight I'd appreciate it.

I am assuming from your race car/bull dozer comment that you are saying one is more finesse and one is more of a work horse?

Thanks!

1. cost - aluminium is around 3 times costlier?

2 Vibration damping - cast iron is one of the best.

Thanks for your input. Below are my replies.

1. cost - aluminium is around 3 times costlier? I don't know what aluminum gearboxes you are referring to but in my experience the aluminum worm gearboxes are less costly than the cast iron.

2 Vibration damping - cast iron is one of the best. I totally agree with you here. They perform better in applications where vibration in an issue.