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Worm gearing alignment affects lubrication. If the worm is located off the worm gear centerline, there may be entering corner contact. This wipes the lubricant off the worm gear teeth and the worm thread like a squeegee, causing the mesh to be starved for lubricant. The resulting wear is progressive and almost always leads to the need to replace both the worm and the worm gear. An easy way to prevent this type of failure is to perform a contact pattern check when the worm gear and worm are installed or being replaced. Most texts on worm gearing show both acceptable and unacceptable contact patterns for this unloaded condition. If in doubt, contact the worm gear drive vendor or the drive manufacturer. Oil analysis would show this condition as high levels of copper from the worm gear. The copper levels will increase over time rather than decrease, as is the case for normal break in. Visual inspection would show wear on the worm gear tooth from the tip to the root at the edge of the tooth that sees the thread entry into mesh. There may also be a transfer of bronze from the worm gear to the worm thread.
12/19/13
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www.machinerylubrication.com/Articles/Print/29115
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