Gear motor refers to a combination of a motor plus a reduction geartrain. These are often conveniently packaged together in one unit. The gear reduction (gear train) reduces the speed of the motor, with a corresponding increase in torque. Gear ratios range from just a few (e.g. 3) to huge (e.g. 500). A small ratio can be accomplished with a single gear pair, while a large ratio requires a series of gear reduction steps and thus more gears. There are a lot of different kinds of gear reduction.
In the case of a small transmission ratio N, the unit may be backdrivable, meaning you can turn the output shaft, perhaps by hand, at angular velocity w and cause the motor to rotate at angular velocity Nw. A larger transmission ratio N may make the unit non-backdrivable. Each has advantages for different circumstances. Backdrivability depends not just on N, but on many other factors.
For large N, often the maximum output torque is limited by the strength of the final gears, rather than by N times the motor's torque.
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Measuring 25 mm (0.98″) in diameter, these 6V motors offer great capabilities in a small package. They are available in a range of gear ratios. ...
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With a cross section measuring only 10 × 12 mm (0.39″ × 0.47″), these small brushed DC gearmotors are available in a wide range of gear ratios—from...
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These brushed DC gearmotors are compact and affordable — perfect for building a quick, miniature robot. They are intended for use at 4.5 V, though ...
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These cylindrical brushed DC gearmotors are available in a wide range of gear ratios and 6V & 0.04A with long-life carbon brushes (CB). All ge...
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These brushed DC gearmotors are compact and affordable — perfect for building a quick, miniature robot. They are intended for use at 4.5 V, though ...
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Measuring 37 mm (1.46″) in diameter, these 12V & 24V motors are the largest and most powerful gearmotors we carry. They are available in a rang...
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These cylindrical brushed DC gearmotors are available in a wide range of gear ratios and 12V with long-life carbon brushes (CB). All geramotors ha...
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