Gear units
High-quality BEGE gearboxes drive machines with power and efficiency. Standard versions and custom options. View our wide range of products.
Gear units
BEGE is known as a leading manufacturer and supplier of gear units. In addition to our standard products, we offer tailor-made gearboxes adapted to specific customer needs.
Gearboxes are a critical part of various machines and installations. They transform power from the input shaft to the output shaft, reducing the rotational speed while increasing the torque. Our high-performance gearboxes deliver consistent performance in a variety of industries because they are sturdy, compact and shock-resistant. At BEGE, we offer a wide range of gear units with eight different types.
Gearboxes product overview
Our range consists of several types: helical, planetary, stainless steel, shaft-mount, hypoid, bevel gear, helical bevel gear, and worm gear units. We also offer various designs, options and customization. We are happy to assist you in finding the right type for your needs.
Bevel gear units
Compact and shockproof. Bevel gearboxes and mini right-angle gear units are precise, efficient, and suitable for machine building thanks to their reliability under harsh conditions.
- Transmission ratio: 1:1 – 6:1
- Max. torque: 5,400 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 6 – 80 mm
Planetary gear units
Powerful and reliable. (Right-angle) planetary gearboxes offer high reliability with long service life and are ideal for heavy-duty applications with many shocks and high impact.
- Transmission ratio: 3.5: 1 – 2882.9:1
- Max. torque: 270.000 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 38 – 180 mm
Stainless steel gear units
Food safe and maintenance free. ATEK stainless steel helical bevel gear units are ideal for the pharmaceutical and food processing industries. Maximum hygiene and durability.
- Transmission ratio: 1:1 – 3:1
- Max. torque: 460 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 12 – 32 mm
Helical gear units
Very strong and sturdy. BEGE helical gear units are very powerful drives. Suitable for a wide range of applications and fully customizable thanks to their modular design.
- Transmission ratio: 3,1:1 – 2.685,2:1
- Max. torque: 2.590 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 18 -75 mm
Helical bevel gear units
Robust and reliable. Helical bevel gear units are ideal for use in heavy industry where high torque is required. They offer consistency and maximum reliability.
- Transmission ratio: 4,4:1 – 722:1
- Max. torque: 29.900 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 60 – 350 mm
Hypoid gear units
Powerful and compact. ATEK hypoid gearboxes feature high precision, efficiency and shock resistance. They are often used in dynamic applications and robotics thanks to their reliability.
- Transmission ratio: 8:1 – 15:1
- Max. torque: 1.440 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 12 – 80 mm
Worm gear units
Strong and sturdy. ATEK worm gearboxes offer high precision and efficiency, and are quiet and shock-resistant. They are used worldwide in machine building thanks their high reliability.
- Transmission ratio: 5:1 – 83:1
- Max. torque: 13.720 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 22 – 95 mm
Parallel and shaft-mount
Robust and reliable. Parallel and shaft-mount gear units are ideal for use in heavy industry where high torque is required. They offer optimum reliability under harsh working conditions.
- Transmission ratio: 1,1:1 – 801:1
- Max. torque: 692.000 Nm
- Shaft diameter: 60 – 320 mm
Gearboxes for maximum machine power
What is a gearbox?
A gear unit, also known as a gearbox, is a mechanism that reduces rotational speed and increases forces.
The gear units offered by BEGE, including the coaxial gearbox we produce ourselves, are suitable for a wide range of applications, extending from light loads to demanding conditions.
How do we do this?
The core of a gearbox consists of a number of gears, such as bevel gears, helical bevel gears, worm gears, parallel or shaft-mount gears. These gears are the essential part of the gear unit, in which they transmit forces. By combining and configuring the gears, the power is converted from the input shaft to the output shaft, reducing the speed and increasing the torque.
The advantages of a gear unit
- Adjustable power and speed
- Higher torque for heavy loads
- Space saving thanks to compact design
- Accurate control over precision tasks
- Durable for reliable and long-lasting use
- Flexible to meet diverse needs
- Versatile, suitable for various applications
- Cost-saving and extended machine life
Your reliable drive partner
We make life easier for industrial companies by creating, optimizing and maintaining high-quality drive systems.
Gear units at BEGE
Everything you need to know about gearboxes
Below are answers to the most common questions about choosing and using gear units.
Gear motors are an integrated motor + gearbox; a simple plug-and-play solution.
Gear units (also known as gearboxes) are only the mechanical reduction; highly flexible for custom motor pairing, torque, ratio, and shaft orientation.
Tip: Choose gear units for maximum flexibility and gear motors for simplicity and standard applications.
- Speed reduction or increase: match the driven equipment speed.
- Torque multiplication: provide the required force for loads.
- Directional change: adapt rotational direction via shaft alignment (parallel, bevel, coaxial).
- Modularity: integrate into complex machines with custom configurations.
Tip: The right gearbox improves efficiency, reliability, and machine lifetime.
Helical gear units: quiet, high efficiency, continuous duty.
Helical bevel gear units: high torque at angles, smooth operation.
Hypoid gear units: compact, high torque density.
Worm gear units: low speed, self-locking, high torque.
Planetary gear units: high torque in a compact footprint, precise.
Stainless steel gear units: hygienic, corrosion-resistant.
Parallel and shaft-mount gear units: modular and easy to install.
Tip: Select the gearbox type based on shaft orientation, torque, speed, environment, and application.
| Type gearbox | Shaft orientation | Advantages | Limitations | Best use case |
| Bevel gearbox | 90° | Efficient torque transfer, handles angled shafts well | Moderate cost, sensitive to misalignment | Mixers, conveyors, packaging machinery |
| Planetary gearbox | Coaxial | High torque in compact space, precise | More complex design, higher cost | Robotics, servo drives, precision machinery |
| Stainless steel gearbox | Coaxial or 90° | Corrosion resistant, hygienic, easy to clean | Higher cost | Food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical industry |
| Helical gearbox | Coaxial | Quiet operation, high efficiency, continuous duty | Moderate torque, larger footprint | Fans, lifts, general conveyor drives |
| Helical bevel gearbox | 90° | Smooth operation, high torque at angles | More complex, higher cost | Packaging machines, mixers, transport systems |
| Hypoid gearbox | 90° offset | High torque, compact, smooth operation | Complex installation, expensive | Compact high-torque applications |
| Worm gearbox | 90° | Self-locking, simple speed reduction | Lower efficiency, heat generation | Lifts, conveyors, small drives |
| Parallel and shaft-mount gearbox | Parallel or 90° | Easy installation, modular, flexible | Moderate torque | Standard industrial drives, pumps, conveyors |
Follow these 5 steps:
- Identify machine requirements (torque, speed, shaft orientation).
- Compare types using the table above.
- Consider efficiency and maintenance requirements.
- Verify mounting options and compatibility with motor.
- Select type that optimizes lifecycle cost and performance.
Tip: For continuous operation, prefer helical or helical bevel units; for compact, high-angle applications, consider hypoid or worm.
Use the formula:
Steps:
- Determine motor full-load RPM.
- Determine required output speed of driven equipment.
- Divide motor speed by output speed → gear ratio.
- Verify torque:
Tout = Tmotor × Gear Ratio × η - Ensure mounting & shaft alignment can accommodate the gear unit.
Conveyors, mixers, pumps, packaging, industrial automation.
Sector examples: Food & beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, logistics, heavy industry.
Tip: For harsh or hygienic environments, choose stainless steel or IP-rated units.
Material: stainless steel or food-grade coatings to prevent corrosion and ensure hygiene.
Sealing & IP rating: protect against water, steam, and cleaning chemicals.
Lubrication: food-grade lubricants to avoid contamination.
Ease of cleaning: smooth surfaces, minimal crevices, hygienic design.
Temperature & load: ensure gearbox can handle continuous operation and shock loads.
Backlash & precision: important for mixers, conveyors, and dosing systems.
Tip: Always provide exact application details (washdown procedures, temperature, load cycles) when specifying a gearbox for food machinery.
Read more: https://www.bege.nl/en/drive-systems-for-sustainable-food-production/
Definition: ratio of output power to input power, losses due to friction, heat, etc.
Typical efficiencies:
- Helical: 95–98%
- Worm: 60–80% depending on ratio
Impact: lower efficiency → higher electricity cost, more heat, more wear.
Tip: Select a gearbox with high efficiency, especially for high-duty/continuous operations.
Yes, customization options include:
- Adapted transmission ratio & torque capacity
- Variable shaft configuration
- Low backlash construction for precision drives
- Stainless steel output shaft for hygiene/corrosion
- Reinforced output shaft bearing for heavy loads
- High protection rating (IP65–IP68)
- Step-up ratios for special speed requirements
- Accessories & sensors: MIG encoder, IEC flange, free input shaft, backstop, reaction arm, cooling unit
Tip: Provide detailed application conditions when requesting a custom unit (duty cycle, temperature, space, load).
View all gearboxes
BEGE gear units are powerful and efficient. Available in a wide range of designs. Customer-specific custom options are also possible.