40:1 planetary — torque, backlash, and what they mean for a motion axis
The GBX1200401003F is a straight-tooth planetary gearbox from Schneider Electric's GBX series, sized for a 120 mm output-stage diameter and a 40:1 reduction ratio. That ratio multiplies motor torque by 40 and divides output speed by the same factor — a servo or induction motor turning 3000 rpm at the input delivers 75 rpm at the output shaft. Continuous output torque is 230 N.m at 100 rpm and 30 °C ambient; maximum intermittent torque reaches 368 N.m under the same conditions. The continuous figure governs steady-state conveyor or indexing loads; the maximum figure covers acceleration peaks and occasional overloads within the 30,000-hour service life window. Maximum torsional backlash is 12 arc.min — the angular play between input and output when direction reverses. For positioning axes that must hold a repeatable stop (pick-and-place, rotary indexing tables), this backlash sets the lower bound on achievable accuracy; a lower-backlash gearbox would be needed for sub-arcmin positioning.
94 % efficiency — what it saves in heat and power
Rated 94 % efficiency means 6 % of the input power is lost as heat inside the gearbox. On a 2 kW motor at full load, that is 120 W of thermal dissipation — enough to raise the housing temperature noticeably but within the lubricant's operating range, especially since the unit is lubricated for life and needs no oil changes. The 65 dB noise level at 1 m, no-load, is typical for straight-tooth planetary gears at this size. Helical gears run quieter but cost more and introduce axial thrust loads the bearings must handle; straight teeth keep the design compact and the axial load on the output bearings predictable.
Shaft loads and seal — fitting this into a washdown or dusty line
Shaft output is rated IP54, meaning the output seal resists dust ingress and splashing water — adequate for most factory-floor environments but not for direct hose-down. In food-and-bev zones where washdown is routine, the gearbox should be shielded or a higher-IP unit specified at the design stage. Maximum radial force on the output shaft is 1500 N at 100 rpm for the full 30,000-hour service life, or 2000 N for a 10,000-hour duty cycle. Maximum axial force is 2100 N at 100 rpm for 30,000 hours, or 2800 N for 10,000 hours. These limits apply with the radial load applied at mid-distance from the output shaft; overhung loads from sprockets or pulleys must be derated accordingly. The black anodized aluminium housing dissipates heat well but is not rated for corrosive atmospheres — C 45 steel shaft material should be protected against rust in humid or washdown areas.
Obsolete — sourcing reality for the GBX1200401003F
Available through independent surplus and broker channels. This is not a stock-holding line — each order is sourced per the BOM quantity. For a new design or a line that needs a guaranteed supply path, a parametric search against the GBX family's current catalog (same 120 mm frame size, 40:1 ratio, and torque class) is the practical next step. The obsolete status means this exact order code is a one-time buy; plan for a cross-reference if the application runs longer than the available surplus inventory.