What this planetary gearbox delivers on a servo axis
The GBX1600121003F is a straight-tooth planetary gearbox from Schneider Electric's GBX series, with a 160 mm housing diameter and a 12:1 reduction ratio. It delivers a continuous output torque of 800 N.m (7080.6 lbf.in) at 100 rpm and a maximum output torque of 1280 N.m (11328.9 lbf.in) under the same conditions — enough for positioning or indexing loads on a conveyor or rotary table where the duty cycle keeps the average torque within the continuous envelope.
Torque, backlash, and service life — the ratings that decide fit
Continuous torque is 800 N.m at 100 rpm and 30 °C; the maximum torque peaks at 1280 N.m for short-duration overloads — the gearbox can handle a 60 % torque spike without damage, but the 30000-hour service life is rated at the continuous figure. Backlash is 10 arc.min maximum, which is standard for a general-purpose planetary stage; if the application needs tighter positioning (e.g., a rotary indexer with a resolver), a low-backlash variant would be needed. Efficiency is 94 % at rated load — planetary gearboxes typically lose 1–2 % per stage, so a 12:1 single-stage unit at 94 % is consistent with a well-lubricated, straight-tooth design. The unit is lubricated for life, so no oil changes during the 30000-hour service interval at 100 rpm and 30 °C. The shaft output is rated IP54, meaning the output seal resists dust ingress and splashing water — adequate for most factory-floor installations but not for washdown environments. The housing is black anodized aluminium; the shaft is C45 steel. Ambient operating range is -25 to 90 °C, so it can sit in a warm cabinet or near a motor without derating.
Sourcing an obsolete critical spare
This gearbox is classified as Obsolete by Schneider Electric. For a line-down situation or a critical spare for an existing machine, the part is available through independent surplus channels; quantities are lot-specific and confirmed at RFQ. Because the unit is lubricated for life and sealed, a used gearbox from a pulled machine may have unknown remaining service life — a new-old-stock unit with full factory lubrication is the safer bet for a critical spare. The 30000-hour rating at 100 rpm means a unit that has run 15000 hours still has half its design life, but only if the load profile matches the continuous torque rating.