Torque ratings and the real duty limit
The GBX1600041382D is a straight-tooth planetary gearbox from Schneider Electric's GBX series, 160 mm external diameter, with a 4:1 reduction ratio. The continuous output torque is 450 N.m — that is the figure to size against for steady-state servo or stepper applications. The maximum output torque hits 720 N.m, but that ceiling is for occasional peak loads, not sustained running. The torsional rigidity is 38 N.m/arcmin, which means the gearbox twists 1 arcminute for every 38 N.m of applied torque. For a positioning axis, this stiffness matters more than the backlash number — it determines how much the load lags the motor under acceleration.
Service life at rated load — the reliability number
Rated service life is 30,000 hours at 100 rpm and 30 °C ambient. That is about 3.4 years of continuous 24/7 operation at that speed. The gearbox is lubricated for life — no oil changes, no maintenance interval to schedule. The axial and radial force limits are given at two life targets: 6000 N axial (Fa) and 4200 N radial (Fr) for the full 30,000-hour life at 100 rpm, or 8000 N axial and 6000 N radial if you accept a 10,000-hour service life. The radial force is measured at mid-distance from the output shaft — overhung loads need to be calculated back to that point.
Backlash and positioning accuracy
Maximum torsional backlash is 6 arcminutes. That is a standard-precision planetary — fine for most conveyor, packaging, and material-handling axes, but not for a zero-backlash servo press or a rotary indexing table that needs <3 arcmin. If the application needs tighter positioning, the GBX family includes lower-backlash variants; this one is the cost-effective choice for general motion.
Mounting and environmental fit
Mounting position is any position — horizontal, vertical shaft-up, vertical shaft-down — no oil level restrictions because it is grease-lubricated for life. Shaft output seal is IP54 — that means dust-protected and splash-resistant, but not washdown-rated. If the gearbox sits in a food-processing zone that gets hosed down, you need an IP65+ option or a protective cover over the shaft seal. The housing is black anodized aluminium, shaft material is C45 steel. Moment of inertia is 7.78 g.cm² — low enough that a servo motor does not waste torque accelerating the gearbox itself.