A gear motor—whether it's an AC gear motor or DC gear motor—is a small motor that's designed to work with a gear reducer. The end shield on the motor's drive end has two functions. The side of the end shield that doesn't face the motor supports the gearing and has a fastening and sealing provision for the gear housing. The side that faces the motor supports the rotor bearing and has a fastening and sealing provision for the integral rotor shaft pinion. The design of DC and AC gear motors makes sizing the gear reducer and motor simpler.

Additional benefits include:

• Optimum power management and utilization: The simplicity of correctly sizing the motor and gear reducer ensures the efficiency, performance and longevity of the gear motor.

• Less lubrication leakage: Gear motors use lip-seal construction and an O-ring, which offers better control of the lubrication.

• Quieter operation: AC and DC gear motors have fewer parts that need assembly, so the rotor, gear train and pinion align well. The gear motor also has an integral pinion and casting.

• Elimination of misalignments: Gear motors don't need motor couplings, so there aren't any problems with the bearing alignment and corrosion.

• Ideal for applications that require larger integral horsepower: Gear motors can have a gearhead and motor that you can separate to accommodate the horsepower needed for an application.