Gear Calculation Worksheet

Directions: You’ll need a calculator and a pencil. Follow the steps below

Example Combo 1 Combo 2 Combo 3

Velocity Optimum vehicle Speed: one of the best times
Since we all have the same recorded over the 20 meter track is 6.5 seconds
motors and want the same
fast speed, the calculation Formula: 300 cm/s 300 cm/s 300 cm/s 300 cm/s
has been done for you 20m
V= = 3m / s = 300cm / s
6.5 sec
Step 1: Gear Ratio R refers to gear ratio Nd Nd Nd Nd
N refers to the number of teeth on the gear R= = R= = R= = R= =
d refers to the gear attached to the axle Nm Nm Nm Nm
m refers to the gear attached to the motor

Nd
R=
Nm

Step 2: Speed of the ω= Speed of wheel 8300 8300 8300

8300 wd = / 60 wd = / 60 wd = / 60
Wheel wd = / 60
The JSS motor spins at 8300 8300rpm
rpm ωd (rps) = ωm = / 60 sec
R

Step 3: Calculate C refers to the circumference of the wheel 300cm / s 300cm / s 300cm / s 300cm / s
Wheel Circumference C= C= C= C=
V
C=
ωd

Step 4: Determine Dw refers to the best possible wheel diameter to

Wheel Diameter get that speed with that gear ratio Dw = Dw = Dw = Dw =
3.14 3.14 3.14 3.14
This step determines what Π refers to pi which is 3.14
wheel diameter you should C
use with this combination of Dw =
gears (gear ratio)
Π
Step 5: Check Calculation
Check your answer. Measure the diameter of gear d (see step 1) Is the answer you
got for the best possible wheel diameter (step 4) bigger than the diameter of the
gear that will be attached to your axle (gear d)? If so, this would be a good gear
combination to start your experimentation with.