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VEX Knowledge-base on Gear Ratios --->
Making a Gear Ratio change is one of the easiest ways to change Mechanical Advantage in a mechanism or system to achieve desired speed and/or torque. Gear Ratio expresses the relationship between a Driving Gear (the gear connected to the input power source, such as a motor) and a Driven Gear (the gear connected to the output, such as a wheel or mechanism) in a system.
When you have a system with a Driving Gear that is SMALLER than the Driven Gear you will increase Torque and decrease Speed:
Making this kind of change to Mechanical Advantage is helpful when you are trying to move slower mechanically, lift heavier objects, and/or have more pushing ability.
When you have a system with a Driving Gear that is LARGER than the Driven Gear you will increase Speed and decrease Torque:
Making this kind of change to Mechanical Advantage is helpful when you are trying to lift or move faster mechanically, you don’t require the ability to lift heavy objects, and/or you favor agility over pushing ability in a drivetrain.
Gear Ratio is expressed this way:
(Driving Gear Teeth) : (Driven Gear Teeth)
Gear Reduction is expressed in reverse:
(Driven Gear Teeth) / (Driving Gear Teeth)
Examples
Gear Ratio 12 : 36
Gear Ratio 12 : 36
Gear Reduction 36 / 12 → 3 / 1
Say "3 to 1 Gear Ratio"
Gear Ratio 12 : 60
Gear Ratio 12 : 60
Gear Reduction 60 / 12 → 5/1
Say: “5 to 1 Gear Ratio”
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