A worm shaft—also called a worm screw or worm gear shaft—is not simply a threaded shaft. It works as one half of a matched gear set, where the worm profile, axial module, number of starts, lead angle, hand and mating-wheel geometry must agree before the drive can run smoothly.
YUBAO manufactures drawing-based worms and worm shafts for reducers, actuators, automation, material-handling equipment and other OEM drive assemblies. Turning, worm-profile machining, heat treatment, grinding and inspection are planned around the finished mesh, shaft datums and production volume—not around a generic catalogue part.
Reference values support early drawing review. Final mesh geometry, material, heat treatment, surface condition and inspection scope are confirmed against the released drawing and mating-wheel data.
A worm drive earns its place when ratio, packaging and controlled motion matter at the same time. The worm profile cannot be reviewed in isolation: the mating wheel, centre distance, bearings, lubrication and shaft datums all influence how the set carries load, generates heat and wears.
Module, start count, pitch diameter, lead angle, hand, wheel tooth count and centre distance define the mesh together. Reviewing them as one system helps prevent contact and backlash problems.
Worm gearing carries substantial sliding contact. Surface finish, hardness, material pairing, lubrication and alignment directly affect heat, wear, noise and service life.
Journals, shoulders, threads, keyways and locating faces are machined and inspected from the functional datum plan so the worm mesh remains related to the housing and bearings.
Reference ranges for early project screening. Final capability depends on worm profile, module, starts, mating-wheel geometry, material, heat treatment, duty cycle and the functional datum plan.
| Feature | Reference Capability | Engineering Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Profile & Mesh | ZA, ZI, ZK, ZC and ZT profiles · standard pressure angle 20° · special profiles reviewed by drawing | The worm profile, wheel geometry, hand and centre distance must be reviewed as one meshing system. |
| Module & Starts | Axial module mx 0.5–4.0 mm · 1–4 starts as the standard review range | Module and start count affect ratio, lead angle, contact behaviour, tooling and manufacturing route. |
| Pitch & Ratio Data | Worm pitch diameter d1 Ø6–Ø30 mm · mating-wheel tooth count and ratio drawing-defined | Pitch diameter, wheel tooth count and centre distance are checked together before production. |
| Accuracy & Surface | DIN/ISO Grade 6 reference · tooth Ra 0.8 μm · Fr ≤0.02 mm (20 μm) reference | Final runout and surface requirements depend on diameter, accuracy grade, heat treatment, datum and inspection method. |
| Material & Treatment | HRC 58–62 reference after compatible treatment · material pairing and lubrication application-defined | Hardness, finish and material pairing are selected around sliding contact, heat, wear, load and service life. |
Open a group only when the drawing needs a deeper review of mesh geometry, accuracy, surface condition or inspection.
| Item | Reference Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Worm Profile Type | ZA, ZI, ZK, ZC, ZT or drawing-defined | Profile type governs tooth geometry, tooling and inspection. |
| Axial Module mx | 0.5–4.0 mm reference range | The worm and wheel must use compatible module data. |
| Number of Starts z1 | 1–4 as the standard review range | Start count affects ratio, lead angle, sliding speed and efficiency. |
| Pitch Diameter d1 | Ø6–Ø30 mm reference | Pitch diameter works with module and starts to define the mesh. |
| Pressure Angle | 20° standard reference; selected special profiles reviewed | The pressure angle must agree with the mating wheel. |
| Hand & Lead Angle | Left- or right-hand; drawing-defined lead angle | Hand and lead direction must match the required wheel and rotation. |
| Mating Wheel | Tooth count, centre distance, backlash and material drawing-defined | Supplying both drawings allows the contact relationship to be reviewed before tooling. |
| Item | Reference Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Precision Grade | DIN/ISO Grade 6 reference; project requirements may fall within DIN 5–7 | The released grade must identify the standard and inspection method. |
| Tooth Roughness | Ra 0.8 μm reference; typically 0.4–0.8 μm where finishing is specified | Surface condition influences friction, heat, noise and wear. |
| Tooth Hardness | HRC 58–62 reference after compatible heat treatment | Hardness must be planned with material, case depth, distortion and final finishing. |
| Pitch-Diameter Runout Fr | ≤0.02 mm (20 μm) reference | Final tolerance depends on pitch diameter, module, grade, datum and measurement method. |
| Shaft Datums | Journals, shoulders, threads and locating faces drawing-defined | Mesh position must remain related to the bearings and housing. |
| Inspection | Profile, module, starts, hand, lead, runout, roughness, hardness and shaft geometry | The inspection plan follows application risk and repeat-production requirements. |
| Item | Reference Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter Quotient | q = d1 / mx | Checks the relationship between worm pitch diameter and axial module. |
| Lead Angle | tan γ = z1 / q | Links start count and diameter quotient to the lead angle. |
| Lead | pz = z1 × π × mx | Defines axial advance for one worm revolution. |
| Axial Pitch | px = π × mx | Checks the pitch relationship used by the worm profile. |
The route changes with profile type, module, material, hardness, quantity and the worm’s position relative to the bearing journals. Machining, heat treatment, finishing and inspection are planned as one sequence.
Material preparation and CNC turning establish the journals, shoulders and locating faces. The worm profile is then milled, hobbed or otherwise generated according to the selected profile, module and starts. Heat treatment and tooth finishing are added only where the drawing and duty cycle require them.
A worm can meet its individual dimensions and still perform poorly if lead, runout or shaft datums do not agree with the wheel. Inspection therefore checks profile, module, starts, hand, lead, pitch diameter and surface condition together with the journals and locating faces used in the gearbox assembly.
YUBAO reviews the worm, mating wheel and shaft features around the ratio, load, speed, lubrication and assembly shown in the drawing.
Custom worm sets for gearboxes that need a high reduction ratio, smooth motion and a compact 90-degree shaft arrangement.
Worm shafts for positioning, indexing, clamping and adjustment mechanisms where controlled movement and limited space matter.
Drive components for hoists, conveyors, platforms and handling equipment requiring torque multiplication and dependable low-speed output.
Drawing-based worm shafts for valve operators, pump drives and special mechanisms with application-specific journals, threads or keyways.
Another component route may suit the drawing better when ratio, torque transfer, weight, assembly access or shaft geometry changes.
Yes. YUBAO reviews the worm profile, module, starts, hand, lead angle, material, heat treatment, shaft datums, mating-wheel information and expected volume before confirming the manufacturing route.
Drawing-based ZA, ZI, ZK, ZC and ZT profiles can be reviewed. Final feasibility depends on module, pitch diameter, start count, pressure angle, tooling access and inspection requirements.
Yes. Supplying both drawings is the best way to confirm ratio, centre distance, hand, contact relationship, backlash target and material pairing before production.
Send the finished-part drawing or 3D model, worm profile type, axial module, start count, hand, pressure angle, mating-wheel tooth count, centre distance, material, heat treatment, roughness, accuracy grade, annual volume and application information.
