Introduction 

A gear shaft can be described as an important part within the complete transmission that bears the torsion as well as the shear stress. The gearbox or transmission is essentially a system whose application can be done for monitoring the energy application through increasing or reducing the speed, reversing rotation, varying the direction of the drive shaft, or increasing torque. Every gearbox has an input side as well as an output side. Energy is carried by the output shaft to the input shaft which operates at varying speeds based on the gear ratio and the gear itself. The input shaft is again directly attached to the motor thereby controlling the speed of the motor. It tolerates the produced torque through engaged gears and also facilitates the bringing of the controller within the gearbox network.

What is a shaft?

A shaft is normally described as a machine element that rotates. The device is mostly circular in the cross-sectional region. This is utilized for transmitting power from a specific part to another specific part. This can be also be stated as transmitting power from power-producing machinery to power absorbing machinery. 

Shafts are considered an important element within machines. They mostly use the machine’s rotating parts such as pulleys and gears. Further, they are supported by the rigid machine housing’s bearing resting. The shafts help in transmitting power from a particular member that is rotating to another that is either in connection with it or is supported by it. Hence, as a result of bending moment as well as transmission of power due to the members’ reaction which they support, a torque is experienced by them. 

What do you mean by gear?

Gear is generally described as a component shaped in the form of a roller or cylindrical toothed in nature that meshes with a completely separate cylindrical toothed  for transmitting power from a specific shaft to another specific shaft. It is mostly utilized for obtaining various speeds and torque ratios or altering the direction of the driven shaft and driving shaft. 

There are different types of power transmission devices such as rope drive, chain drive, belt drive, etc. However, the core advantage of the systems of gear is that it has no or almost negligible slippage between driven as well as driving members. Most of the time a gear is used when a short distance can be noticed between the driven shaft as well as the axis driving such as a car or motorcycle. In this context, the gear shaft is important. A gear shaft along with curves of gearing at each part is introduced via an intersecting gear shaft. Gear such as the Spiral Bevel is a common example of profiles of gears that are used on the accurately made shafts. 

Gear Shaft key

A gear shaft key or simply a shaft key is defined as a machine element utilized for making a connection between the gears’ rotating part and the transmission shaft. The Gear shaft key’s function, as well as the keyway, prevents the relative motion between hub and shaft. Thus it allows the transmission of torque. For the gear shaft key to be fixed, the hub must have the keyway and the shaft must have the key seat. Here it should be mentioned that half of the shaft key allows the fixing of the key seat and half of the shaft key allows the fixing of the keyway. Thus the overall combination is referred to as the keyed joint.  In this regard the concept of the keyway is vital. It is the groove cut within the section of a gear, hub, or some other machine element that is rotating and the electrical connector. This groove helps to make sure their orientation towards one another is usually fitted with a particular key.  Gear shaft keys are normally available in different sizes like semi-circular, square and rectangular, and different materials.

Conclusion 

Throughout the article the core mechanical engineering topic of shafts, gear has been thoroughly discussed.  This has been done through discussion of what is the shaft and what is gear. The shaft is a machine element that helps in supporting rotating parts whereas gear is another important device that allows power transmission from a specific shaft to another. After a discussion of the definition of shafts and gear, the function of the gear shaft key has been analyzed.