Resources > Ondrives FAQs: Precision Mechanical Components

Ondrives FAQs: Precision Mechanical Components

About Ondrives

What does Ondrives manufacture and supply?

Ondrives is a U.S.-based manufacturer and supplier of precision mechanical components for engineers, OEM manufacturers, and industrial buyers. We offer an extensive in-stock catalog for immediate shipment alongside fully custom solutions engineered to exact application specifications.

Product categories include:

What industries does Ondrives serve?

Ondrives supplies precision mechanical components to engineers and OEM manufacturers across a broad range of industries, including:

Our products are used in applications requiring precise motion control, high reliability, and long service life.

Is Ondrives ISO certified?

Yes. Ondrives manufactures under ISO 9001:2015 certified quality systems. Our UK manufacturing partner, ondrives Ltd. of Chesterfield, England, holds additional approvals including AS9100 Rev D (aerospace quality management) and BS EN ISO 9001:2015, approved by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.

What does ITAR registration mean for my order?

ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) registration means Ondrives is registered with the U.S. Department of State to manufacture and export defense-related articles and services. This registration is required for customers in aerospace, defense, and government sectors who require ITAR-compliant suppliers. If your application or contract requires ITAR compliance, Ondrives can meet that requirement.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/about

Where is Ondrives located and where are products manufactured?

Ondrives is headquartered in Copiague, New York, with manufacturing operations in both the U.S. and U.K. Our U.S. facility in Copiague, NY handles precision gear cutting, CNC turning, CNC milling, assembly, and integration. Our UK manufacturing partner, Ondrives Ltd., is based in Chesterfield, England.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/about

What is the history of Ondrives?

The history of Ondrives traces back to Winfred M. Berg — regarded as the Father of Precision Mechanical Components — who established standards for high-precision gears that the American Gear Manufacturers Association later adopted as AGMA 10, 12, and 14.

In 1954, Win Berg founded PIC Design Corp, establishing the standardized mechanical components industry. In 1965 he founded Winfred M. Berg Inc. After Win Berg retired in 1980, his son Dennis remained as President. Dennis later founded Rino Mechanical Components to restore the customer service standards of the early days.

In 2011, Rino Mechanical Components merged with long-time UK supplier Ondrives Ltd. of Chesterfield, England to become Ondrives Corp. Dennis Berg remains involved as CEO, and Lee Berg — who grew up working with both his grandfather Win and father Dennis — now serves as President.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/about

What custom manufacturing capabilities does Ondrives offer?

Ondrives manufactures custom and modified components under ISO 9001:2015 certified quality systems. Core capabilities include:

  • Precision gear cutting (gear hobbers and shapers)
  • CNC turning (bar-fed CNC lathes)
  • CNC milling (CNC vertical mills)
  • Assembly and integration
  • Prototype and production manufacturing
  • Centerless grinding
  • Laser engraving for part numbers, branding, or traceability
  • CMM inspection

All standard products — gears, gearboxes, couplings, clutches, shafts, and fasteners — can be modified or custom-built to your exact specifications. Prior to production, 2D drawings of 3D CAD models are supplied for customer approval.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/capabilities

Does Ondrives offer engineering and design support?

Yes. Ondrives has an experienced engineering team that provides support at two levels: application engineers help select the best standard or modified components for a project, while design engineers create fully custom solutions that meet exact customer specifications. 2D drawings of 3D CAD models are provided for customer approval before production begins. 3D CAD models are also available for download on our resources page.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/resources

Ordering & Shipping

Does Ondrives offer same-day shipping?

Yes. Ondrives offers same-day shipping on in-stock items. With an extensive in-stock catalog, most standard precision mechanical components are available for immediate shipment.

How do I request a quote for a custom or modified component?

To request a quote for a custom or modified component, submit an RFQ (Request for Quote) online or contact the Ondrives engineering team directly. To prepare your RFQ, provide as much detail as possible including: the component type and specifications, material requirements, dimensional drawings or CAD files, required tolerances, quantity (prototype vs. production), and delivery requirements. Our application and design engineers will review your requirements and respond with pricing and lead time.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/contact

What is the lead time for custom-manufactured components?

Lead times for custom-manufactured components vary depending on the complexity of the part, material availability, required tolerances, and order quantity. Prototype quantities typically have shorter lead times than production runs. Contact Ondrives with your specific requirements for an accurate lead time estimate.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/contact

Are 3D CAD models available for Ondrives products?

Yes. 3D CAD models are available for Ondrives products. Visit the Resources section of our website to access CAD model downloads for use in your design and engineering workflow.

Does Ondrives have a competitor cross-reference tool?

Yes. Ondrives provides a Competitor Cross Reference resource to help engineers identify Ondrives equivalents for components from other manufacturers — including legacy Berg, PIC Design, and other precision mechanical component suppliers. Visit the Resources section of our website to use the cross-reference tool.

What technical resources does Ondrives provide?

Ondrives offers a comprehensive library of technical resources for engineers, including:

Where can I find Ondrives terms and conditions?

Ondrives Terms and Conditions are available on our website. Visit the Terms & Conditions page for complete information on ordering, payment, shipping, returns, and warranty terms.

Gearboxes

What types of gearboxes does Ondrives offer?

Ondrives offers a comprehensive range of gearbox types including:

What is the difference between a worm gearbox and a bevel gearbox?

Worm gearboxes and bevel gearboxes are both right-angle configurations but differ significantly in performance characteristics:

  • Worm gearboxes — use a worm (screw) driving a worm wheel; provide high reduction ratios in a compact package; offer self-locking capability (the load cannot back-drive the input) at certain ratios; lower mechanical efficiency than bevel; best for high-ratio, low-speed output applications
  • Bevel gearboxes — use intersecting bevel gears; higher mechanical efficiency than worm; better suited for reversing loads and dynamic applications; available in miter (1:1 ratio) and gear-reduced configurations; do not self-lock

For high reduction ratios with self-locking and compactness, choose worm. For higher efficiency, reversibility, and dynamic loads, choose bevel.

What is backlash in a gearbox and why does it matter?

Backlash is the amount of play or lost motion between mating gear teeth — the angular movement of the output shaft when the input is held stationary and the output is moved. In precision positioning applications such as robotics, servo systems, CNC machines, and medical devices, backlash causes positioning error and reduces system accuracy.

Ondrives's newly redesigned P-Series gearbox specifically improves backlash performance, corrosion resistance, and center distance between input and outputs. For the most demanding applications, Ondrives also offers low-backlash in-line spur gearboxes and epicyclic (planetary) servo gearboxes.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/gearboxes

What improvements does the new P-Series gearbox offer?

The newly re-designed P-Series gearbox from Ondrives offers three key improvements over the previous design:

  • Improved backlash — reduced play between gear teeth for greater precision in positioning applications
  • Improved corrosion resistance — enhanced surface treatments or materials for longer service life in demanding environments
  • Improved center distance between input and outputs — updated geometry for better design integration

Contact Ondrives or visit the gearbox product page for complete specifications and ordering information for the P-Series.

What is an epicyclic (planetary) gearbox and when should I use one?

An epicyclic or planetary gearbox uses a central sun gear, surrounding planet gears, and an outer ring gear to transmit torque. Key advantages include: high torque density in a compact, coaxial package; low backlash suitable for servo and precision positioning applications; high efficiency; multiple reduction ratios available in a single stage.

Ondrives offers Epicyclic Servo / Planetary gearboxes in the in-line gearbox category. They are ideal for servo motor applications in robotics, automation, and medical devices where coaxial input/output, low backlash, and high torque-to-size ratio are required.

Learn more: https://www.ondrivesus.com/gearboxes

How do I select the right gearbox reduction ratio for my application?

Gearbox reduction ratio selection depends on several factors:

  • Input speed (motor RPM) and required output speed
  • Required output torque (input torque × ratio × efficiency)
  • Load inertia and the inertia ratio between load and motor (reflected inertia = load inertia ÷ ratio²)
  • Duty cycle and application dynamics (constant load vs. start/stop vs. reversing)
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