Let's review the primary reasons we originally proposed using planetary gear boxes:

1. They can be shaft or frame mounted, easing alignment problems.

2. They eliminate a heavy concrete base and mounting plate.

3. Their use de-congests the back side of paper machines, from wet end through the reel.

4. #3 means the building could possibly be a few feet (up to a meter?) narrower, resulting in huge building and crane costs in new construction.

The steel manufacturing industry has used planetary gearboxes for years in applications as severe and as demanding as those in pulp and paper.  We are once again bound by tradition it appears.

Here are some resources concerning planetary gear boxes.  We present these without compensation from any of the organizations represented.  If you have comments on these or others to add, please let us know.

A nice primer on planetary gear boxes.

Timken Bearings for Planetary Gear Boxes.

Bonfiglioli

PMP Industries

Rexroth (Bosch Group)