What Is a Gearmotor and How Does It Differ from a Gear Reducer?
A gearmotor and a gear reducer are not the same product, even though the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. Here is the actual difference between the two.
Definition of a Gearmotor
A gearmotor is an integrated assembly that combines an electric motor and a gear reducer into a single unit, factory-coupled and factory-aligned. A gearmotor arrives ready for installation, allowing it to be mounted directly onto the machine without the need to separately couple a motor to a gear reducer.
Definition of a Speed Reducer
A speed reducer is only the gear assembly enclosed in its housing, without an included motor. It is supplied with an input flange compatible with NEMA or IEC standards, allowing the customer to connect the motor already available at the plant or the one selected separately according to their specific power and speed requirements.
When Is Each Option the Best Choice?
Integrated gearmotor: When the priority is installation simplicity, lower risk of misalignment, and there is no need to reuse an existing motor. Separate gear reducer: When the facility already has standardized motors in inventory, or when a specific combination of power and speed is required that is not available as a catalog gearmotor.