Leveraging funds awarded by Horizon2020, the European Frame-work Programme for research and innovation, the Italian company Varvel is anticipating the characteristics of the innovative Smart Gearbox project, capable of functioning without lubrication. Varvel is developing a worm gearbox cabale of transmitting power effectively without lubricant, thanks to gears entirely made from advanced thermoplastics with specially enhanced tribological properties.
The r&d of the company choose to employ self-lubricating thermoplastic materials with added carbon fibers, so that the new mechanical gearbox will be entirely maintenance-free: once installed it will be able to function continuously throughout its working life, not requiring to shut down machines due to oil leaks. The use of plastic gears eliminates the need to dispose of spent lubricant, and by eliminating once for all the problem of oil leaks it will be a perfect solution for employ in controlled temperature environments and high hygiene requirements and sanitary production conditions, such as in pharmaceutical, biomedical and food processing industries.