title: Planetary Gearbox Application Families | 8–42 mm OEM Design-In | SigGear description: Choose SigGear 8–42 mm planetary gearboxes by application profile: Micro Precision 8–16 mm, Compact OEM 20–28 mm, and High-Torque Compact 32–42 mm.
Planetary Gearbox Application Families¶
SigGear's published product taxonomy remains Micro (8–16 mm), Miniature (20–32 mm) and Compact (36–42 mm).
For OEM business development and early Design-In, the same 12 gearbox frames can also be viewed through three application-led groups. These groups are not new mechanical product series and do not replace the model-specific ratings. They are a faster way to start from the customer's mechanism.
Find Your Gearbox — Ratio & Stage Finder Compare All 8–42 mm Gearboxes Download Public STEP CAD Start Engineering Project Brief
1. Micro Precision — 8P to 16P¶
Best starting point when packaging is the first constraint.
Typical mechanisms to evaluate:
- dexterous-hand finger axes and tendon mechanisms
- miniature robot grippers and end effectors
- laboratory automation
- medical and diagnostic mechanisms
- optical and precision instruments
- miniature pumps, valves and smart-device mechanisms
Main Design-In questions:
- maximum outside diameter and total length
- required output torque and speed
- ratio and stage count
- output-shaft load
- backlash and repeatability
- acoustic target
- existing motor shaft and mounting interface
Models: 8P · 10P · 12P · 14P · 16P
Dexterous Hand & Gripper Application Guide Laboratory Automation Application Guide Pump / Valve / Dosing Application Guide
2. Compact OEM — 20P to 28P¶
Best starting point for compact commercial and smart-device mechanisms that need more torque without moving into the largest frames.
Typical mechanisms to evaluate:
- electric curtains, blinds and compact window mechanisms
- smart toilets, lids, nozzles and flaps
- valves, pumps and dosing mechanisms
- coffee machines, vending and dispensing equipment
- access-control and smart-lock mechanisms
- medium-size grippers and compact automation axes
- moderate-load handheld mechanisms
Main Design-In questions:
- loaded motor speed
- required output speed / cycle time
- continuous versus peak torque
- noise and vibration
- duty cycle and thermal condition
- jam / stall behavior
- shaft, flange and housing interface
- annual volume and customization scope
Electric Curtain / Blind Application Guide Smart Toilet & Bidet Application Guide Pump / Valve / Dosing Application Guide
3. High-Torque Compact — 32P to 42P¶
Best starting point when the mechanism is still compact but torque, motor power or shock loading pushes beyond the smaller frames.
Typical mechanisms to evaluate:
- electric pruning shears
- powered screwdrivers and compact fastening tools
- cable cutters and crimping mechanisms
- higher-load grippers
- compact industrial actuators
- small automation axes with higher torque demand
Main Design-In questions:
- rated continuous torque, not only peak torque
- peak / jam duration
- output speed
- motor input speed and power
- impact or shock loading
- output bearing load
- total gearbox length
- thermal behavior and endurance target
Note
32P remains part of SigGear's published Miniature product class. It is grouped here only because it often serves as the first bridge into higher-torque compact OEM mechanisms.
Electric Pruning Shears Application Guide Powered Screwdriver & Fastening Tool Guide 32P Design-In Resources 42P Design-In Resources
Gearbox-Only vs Motor + Gearbox¶
Keep Your Existing Motor¶
If the motor is already selected, send:
- motor drawing
- shaft diameter and shaft length
- pilot diameter and mounting holes
- loaded motor speed
- motor power and voltage
- target output speed / ratio
- continuous and peak output torque
- available gearbox diameter and length
SigGear can evaluate a gearbox-only route and review the input interface, pinion, stage count, ratio and output geometry.
Need a Complete Compact Drive¶
If the motor is not fixed, provide the application load, speed, available space, voltage and duty cycle. SigGear can evaluate a motor + planetary gearbox assembly.
Design-In Path¶
Application -> frame group -> exact model -> ratio / stage -> motor interface -> CAD review -> sample -> representative load test -> design freeze -> pilot -> production
The three application families are only a first filter. Final selection must use the model-specific Datasheet and Mechanical Interface.
Planetary Gearbox Selection Guide Planetary Engineering Resource Library