Lifecycle reality — obsolete, sourced to order
Schneider lists the GBX0400121001F as obsolete. This planetary gearbox is available through independent surplus and broker channels. Quantities are lot-specific and confirmed at RFQ — no stock-holding claim is made here.
The 12:1 reduction ratio and 40 mm housing diameter define the gearbox's physical envelope — it fits applications where a compact planetary stage is needed between a motor and a load. Continuous output torque is 20 N.m at 100 rpm and 30 °C. Maximum output torque reaches 32 N.m under the same conditions — this is the peak the gearbox can handle for intermittent duty, not sustained operation. Service life is rated at 30,000 hours at 100 rpm and 30 °C. The gearbox is lubricated for life — no maintenance re-greasing interval to schedule.
Backlash, efficiency, and load limits
Maximum torsional backlash is 28 arc.min — this is a standard-precision planetary stage, not a zero-backlash unit. If your positioning loop requires under 10 arc.min, this gearbox will introduce lost motion that the servo or stepper must compensate for. Efficiency is listed at 94 %. For a single-stage planetary with straight teeth, that figure is typical — expect the remaining 6 % to dissipate as heat under continuous load. Maximum axial force (Fa) on the output shaft is 200 N for a 10,000-hour life, dropping to 160 N for the full 30,000-hour rating. Radial force (Fr) follows the same pattern — 200 N at 10,000 hours, 160 N at 30,000 hours, with the force applied at mid-distance from the output shaft. These limits govern the overhung load the gearbox can support from a belt, chain, or direct coupling.
Environmental and mechanical details
Shaft output is rated IP54 — protected against dust ingress and splashing water, but not submersion. The housing is black anodized aluminium, and the shaft material is C45 steel. Noise level is 55 dB at 1 m, no-load — quiet enough for most production environments without an acoustic enclosure.