When selecting a planetary reducer, one of the most crucial — yet often underestimated — factors is how it will integrate mechanically with your motor or overall system. Beyond performance specifications like torque and precision, engineers and purchasing teams must also ensure mechanical compatibility. That includes choosing the right mounting configuration and verifying that the input and output shaft or flange match the motor and driven load requirements. This guide will walk you through the different mounting and compatibility options available and how to determine the best fit for your application.

Why Mounting and Shaft Compatibility Matter

Even the most precise and powerful planetary gearbox can underperform or fail if it isn’t properly mounted or aligned. Mounting type impacts the stability, reliability, and overall ease of installation. Shaft and flange compatibility determine whether the gearbox can be connected securely and efficiently to your motor and the load it drives.

Improper alignment or poorly matched interfaces can lead to:

• Excessive vibration or noise
• Premature wear and failure of bearings and gears
• Inefficient power transmission
• Costly downtime or redesigns

To avoid these risks, it’s essential to match the reducer not only by function, but also by form.

Common Planetary Reducer Mounting Configurations

Planetary reducers come in several mounting types, each suited for different layouts, space constraints, and mechanical requirements.

1. Flange Mounting (Face Mount)

This is one of the most popular and robust methods, especially in industrial automation.

• Input Side: A round or square flange connects directly to the motor face.
• Output Side: Can be shaft or flange mounted, often matched with couplings or load flanges.
• Applications: CNC machines, robots, packaging machines.

2. Foot Mounting

Used in floor-mounted or base-mounted setups, such as conveyors or larger machinery.

• Reducers are attached to a machine base via integrated feet or brackets.
• Ideal for high-stability and heavy-load applications.

3. Hollow Shaft Mounting

This configuration allows the gearbox to be mounted directly onto the driven shaft.

• Often uses a shrink disk, keyway, or clamping collar.
• Advantages: Compact, easy to align, ideal for conveyors and AGVs.

4. Right-Angled Mounting (L or T Shape)

Utilizes bevel gears to turn the power flow 90 degrees.

• Use Case: Where space is limited in one axis.
• Available in both straight and helical gear types.

5. Torque Arm Mounting

Used when a hollow shaft gearbox must absorb reaction torque.

• A torque arm prevents rotation and allows floating installation.
• Common in belt conveyors and some lifting systems.

Input Shaft/Flange Compatibility with Motors

A key component in reducer selection is ensuring the input matches your motor’s output.

Motor Interface Options:

• Clamp Type Coupling (Collar Clamp): Offers concentric locking and easy installation.
• Keyed Shaft: Traditional connection, requires alignment and keyway matching.
• Spline Shaft: Used for higher torque transmission with positive engagement.
• Adapter Flange with Coupling Insert: Modular systems that adapt to different motor sizes and types.

Most high-end planetary gearboxes are available with customized motor flanges or adapter kits to match international motor standards such as IEC or NEMA.

Key Parameters to Match:

• Shaft diameter and length
• Bolt circle diameter (PCD)
• Flange diameter and thickness
• Keyway width and depth (if applicable)
• Motor pilot diameter

VIGE gearboxes offer flexible input interface kits that allow quick integration with popular servo motors from brands like Siemens, Mitsubishi, Yaskawa, Delta, and more.

Output Shaft & Flange Options

The output side of the gearbox connects to the driven element, and the configuration here must suit the load and motion requirements.

Output Types:

• Solid Shaft (Single or Dual Output): The most common type, good for general use.
  • Can be keyed or splined.
  • Often paired with couplings or pulleys.
• Hollow Shaft: Allows the reducer to fit around a fixed shaft.
  • Ideal for through-axis cabling or compact drives.
• Flange Output: Round or square mounting interface for direct attachment.
  • Great for robotics, rotary tables, and automated tooling.
• Extended Shaft or Hub Mount: Custom lengths for applications needing deeper mounting or space bridging.

How to Choose the Right Mounting and Output Type

Consider the following when selecting mounting and output configurations:

1. Space Constraints
   If your equipment has limited space along one axis, right-angle reducers may be ideal.
2. Load Requirements
   Flange and solid shaft outputs are best for rigid couplings and heavy torques. Hollow shafts are great for lighter loads and compact designs.
3. Ease of Maintenance
   Foot-mounted or flange-mounted reducers are often easier to install and maintain.
4. Modularity
   If you use multiple motor types or platforms, look for gearboxes with interchangeable flanges and couplings.
5. Application Type
   Robots: Require hollow shaft or flange outputs for through-wiring and precise torque delivery.
   Conveyors: Benefit from hollow shaft mounting with torque arm stabilization.
   CNC Machines: Prefer flange mounts with solid shafts for rigidity.

VIGE’s Customization and Compatibility Services

At VIGE, we understand that one-size-fits-all doesn’t work for advanced manufacturing. That’s why we offer:

• Customized flange and shaft interfaces to match your servo motor or mechanical system.
• Wide range of mounting options including L-shaped, T-shaped, coaxial, and hollow designs.
• Precision machining to ensure concentricity and minimal runout.
• 3D CAD models and motor matching tables to simplify your design process.
• Collaborative engineering support to help specify the perfect match for your application.