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Spur gear backlash is the amount of tooth space between mating gears at the pitch
circle diameter. Backlash may be measured or specified in the transverse, normal, or axial planes, and in the direction of the pit circles or on the
line-of-action.
The purpose of backlash
is to allow smooth operation and reduce friction by preventing mating gears from grinding by contact on both sides of their gear
teeth at the same time.
Minimal or no backlash may cause operation noise, overloading, and overheating of the gears, and even cause seizing and ultimately failure. Large amounts of backlash is not desirable, particularly if the gear train must reverse. Small amount of backlash (clearance) will require tighter tolerances for runout, pitch, profile, and the location of the operational bearing resulting in an increased cost of gears and assemblies. .
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