Herringbone gears are two helical gears cut as mirror images on the same blank. The two opposing helix angles cancel each other’s axial thrust, so the gear delivers the smooth, quiet running of a helical gear without pushing the shaft sideways. For large-diameter, high-torque drives where a single helical gear would overload the bearings, this is often the only practical answer. We manufacture them up to 3.2 meters.
Key Features
Zero Net Axial Thrust: Opposing helix angles cancel out, so bearings carry radial load only.
Smooth and Quiet: Gradual tooth engagement across both helices.
Very High Torque Capacity: Designed for the heaviest drives in the plant.
Large Diameter: Up to 3.2 meters.
Two Configurations: Continuous herringbone (apex in the middle) or double helical with a central relief groove.
Grade 5 Precision: Achievable for modules 1–6 M.
Technical Specifications
Diameter Range: Up to 3.2 meters
Module Range: 1–40 MM
Precision Level: Up to Grade 5 (modules 1–6 M)
Materials: 42CrMo4, 20CrMnTi and other alloy steels
Configuration: Continuous herringbone or double helical with relief groove
Heat Treatment: Carburizing, quenching and tempering, nitriding
Applications
Steel Rolling Mills
Mining and Ore Crushing
Cement Kiln and Mill Drives
Ship Propulsion and Marine Gearing
Port Cranes and Heavy Hoisting
Large Industrial Gearboxes
Production Process
Design & Engineering: Helix angles, hand and relief groove designed to your load case.
Material Selection: Forging or bar stock bought to specification with certificate.
Precision Machining: Hobbing of both helices, then grinding where the grade requires.
Heat Treatment: Carburizing and hardening, with distortion allowance for the finished cut.
Quality Inspection: Tooth alignment verified across both helices so the two halves mesh as one.
Final Finishing: Preservation and packing for oversized transport.
Get a Quote
Large herringbone gears are quoted individually. Send the drawing, the torque and the centre distance, and we will come back with a manufacturing proposal.
A herringbone gear is a double helical gear with the two tooth sets meeting at the centre. Because the left-hand and right-hand helices produce equal and opposite axial forces, the net thrust is zero. That means the shaft can run in ordinary bearings instead of the thrust bearings a single helical gear of the same size would need — which is why herringbone gears have been the standard for the largest rolling mill and marine drives for over a century.
