Gear units from Voith are operating all over the world.

Voith gear units

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All benefits at a glance

Labyrinth seals ensure eco-friendly operation

Safety and standard conform

Optimized installation space

Noise optimized

Low life cycle costs

Optimally matched to their application and individual solutions

Function tests, driving simulations, endurance runs and precise measurement of noise emissions − our unique test benches in Heidenheim and Brno provide the best conditions for the optimum further development of our gear units.

Research Engineer at Voith

Gear units for any application

Gear units from Voith are operating all over the world. They are optimally adapted to individual customer requirements and all rail applications.

Gear units for light rail vehicles and trams

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit KSH-type with two stages, fully suspended

Motor located alongside the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Motor rigidly linked with the gear unit
Motor output shaft and Gear unit input shaft connected by a membrane coupling
Gear unit fully suspended
Total gear ratio effected by two gear stages (one helical and one bevel gear stage)
Power transmission from the hollow output shaft of the gear unit to the wheelset shaft by a flexible 2-level rubber wedge coupling
Compensation of relative movement between Motor-Gear-unit and wheelset shaft by the flexible 2-level rubber wedge coupling
Suspension elements between Motor-Gear-Unit and bogie frame

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SZH-type with two stages, fully suspended

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Motor rigidly linked with the gear unit
Motor output shaft and Gear unit input shaft connected by a membrane coupling
Gear unit fully suspended
Total gear ratio effected by two helical gear stages
Power transmission from the hollow output shaft of the gear unit to the wheelset shaft by a flexible 2-level rubber wedge coupling
Compensation of relative movement between Motor-Gear-unit and wheelset shaft by the flexible 2-level rubber wedge coupling
Suspension elements between Motor-Gear-Unit and bogie frame

Basic principle

Gear units for metros

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one helical gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between motor and Gear unit by a gear coupling
Torque reaction rod between Gear unit and bogie frame

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SZ-type with two stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by two helical gear stages
Compensation of relative movement between motor and Gear unit by a gear coupling
Torque reaction rod between Gear unit and bogie frame

Basic principle

Gear units for high-speed trains

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one helical gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between motor and Gear unit by a gear coupling
Torque reaction rod or C-bracket between Gear unit and bogie frame

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SZ-type with two stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by two helical gear stages
Compensation of relative movement between motor and Gear unit by a gear coupling

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit KE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Electric traction motor located outside the bogie underneath the car body
Motor drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one bevel gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and traction motor by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Basic principle

Gear units for diesel multiple units

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit SK-type with two stages, axle mounted

Mechanical or hydrodynamic transmission located outside the bogie underneath the car body
Engine drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by two gear stages (one helical and one bevel gear stage)
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and transmission by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit KE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Mechanical or hydrodynamic transmission located outside the bogie underneath the car body
Engine drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one bevel gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and transmission by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Gear units for electric multiple units

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one helical gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between motor and Gear unit by a gear coupling
Torque reaction rod between Gear unit and bogie frame

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SZ-type with two stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by two helical gear stages
Compensation of relative movement between motor and gear unit by a gear coupling
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SZH-type with two stages, fully suspended

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Motor rigidly linked with the gear unit
Motor output shaft and gear unit input shaft connected by a membrane coupling
Gear unit fully suspended
Total gear ratio effected by two helical gear stages
Power transmission from the hollow outputshaft of the gear unit to the wheelset shaft by a flexible 2-level rubber wedge coupling
Compensation of relative movement between motor-gear-unit and wheelset shaft by the flexible 2-level rubber wedge coupling
Suspension elements between motor-gear-unit and bogie frame

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit KE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Electric traction motor located outside the bogie underneath the car body
Motor drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one bevel gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and traction motor by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Basic principle

Gear units for diesel-hydraulic locomotives

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit SK-type with two stages, Axle mounted

Hydrodynamic transmission located outside the bogie in the loco frame
Engine drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by two gear stages (one helical and one bevel gear stage)
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and transmission by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit KE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Hydrodynamic transmission located outside the bogie in the loco frame
Engine drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one bevel gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and transmission by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Gear units for electric and diesel-electric locomotives

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SET-type in cannon box design with one stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Motor rigidly linked with the gear unit
Motor-gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one helical gear stage

Transversal drive

Helical gear unit SE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Motor located in the bogie
Motor shaft and wheelset shaft parallel to each other
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one helical gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between motor and gear unit by a gear coupling
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Basic principle

Gear units for special purpose vehicles

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit SK-type with two stages, axle mounted

Mechanical or hydrodynamic transmission located outside the bogie underneath the car body
Engine drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by two gear stages (one helical and one bevel gear stage)
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and transmission by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Longitudinal drive

Bevel gear unit KE-type with one stage, axle mounted

Mechanical or hydrodynamic transmission located outside the bogie underneath the car body
Engine drive shaft and wheelset shaft orthogonally to each other
Power transmission to the gear unit input shaft by cardan shaft
Gear unit axle riding
Total gear ratio effected by one bevel gear stage
Compensation of relative movement between the gear unit and transmission by cardan shaft
Torque reaction rod between gear unit and bogie frame

Piano for the Red Arrow

For Bombardier's high-speed train ZEFIRO, which takes passengers to their destination in Italy at top speeds of up to 360 km/h, Voith supplied SE-390 gear units. Especially at these top speeds, they meet the high acoustic requirements that Trenitalia places on its Red Arrow, the Frecciarossa.

Reliable gear units for Rio

No matter if Ipanema, Copacabana or Christo Redentor: Rio's Metro takes locals and tourists to their destination on time. We contribute to this with our reliable SE-362 gear units.

Rain-resistant gear units for the Pramexs

The commuter train "Pramexs" built by INKA brings the residents of the Indonesian volcanic island Java safely to their destination. Voith supports this with climate-insensitive SK- KE-485 gear units, which run reliably despite high humidity and monsoon.

Custom-fit solution for French ultrasonic test trains

The integrity of the rails is necessary to ensure safe travel. Thus, the precise measurement of the rail geometry is essential. This is exactly what the ultrasonic test trains from Matisa, which are in service for the French state railway, do. Voith makes its contribution with SK-KE-553 gear units, which are precisely matched to the requirements of rail service vehicles.

Full suspension to protect the rail

In parts of Europe, wear-related components are included in the calculation of track access charges. Voith's SZH-595 gear units, which are used in the electric railcars of the Croatian national railway company HŽ, are the right answer to this development. They make a significant contribution to reducing the unsprung mass. The fully suspended gear unit acts as a shock absorber and thus protects the tracks. In addition, all drive components are protected against impacts.

Fully sprung gear units for maximum driving comfort

The Karlsruhe tram, which also runs interurban to Heilbronn, 60 km away, is known for its high passenger comfort. Voith contributes to this with gear units of the SZH-435 type. They are fully sprung to ensure that passengers and commuters arrive at their destination comfortably and relaxed and to improve the workplace ergonomics of train drivers.

Large sizes for Korean freight transport

With the gear units in cannon-box design for the Korail Class 8500 electric locomotive, Voith proves its competence in the field of oversize. The robust, 1.10m m high gear units from Voith are optimally designed for the six-axle locomotive that is used in Korean freight traffic. The enormous starting tractive force is provided reliably over a long service life.

French style for Korea

The KTX II operated by Korail has a special technical feature. Voith developed a special gear unit arrangement for it. The SE-530 and SE-340 gear units are connected to each other by a tripod drive shaft and thus transmit the enormous force of the powerful engine to the wheelset shaft. This was inspired by a system used in the French TGV. The scope of delivery for the Korean high-speed train also included a Voith SafeSet coupling to protect the drive line from overload.

More about our drive shafts More about our torque limiting couplings

Compact gear units for high speeds

For Hitachi's high-speed train AT300 and AT800/801, Voith delivered large quantities of the SE-369 gear unit. However, the installation space into which it had to fit was small. Voith therefore developed a customized solution for Hitachi: SE-369 gear units with a cranked gear design.

Gear units for quieter rail traffic

The reduction of traffic noise is increasingly of concern to the rail industry. With the development of gear units that meet the increasing acoustic requirements, Voith is making its contribution to reducing noise emissions in rail traffic. One example is the gear unit SZ-440, which the DB class 463 trains are equipped with.

More than 5,000 SZ-400 for rail transport worldwide

Voith supplied SZ-400 gear units for Alstom's Coradia Continental, which is also known under the nickname "Cheshire Cat" due to its front end. What makes us smile: We have already delivered more than 5,000 of these gear units worldwide. Meanwhile, our partners are pleased about their reliability even under harsh climatic conditions.

Customer-oriented production for Bombardier

Bombardier received an order for 75 electric railcars from the Australian operator QNGR 2014. Voith contributed SZ-440 gear units. In order to keep the logistical effort and thus delivery time and routes to a minimum, Voith handled the production in India, where Bombardier also manufactured the EMUs.

On site for Delhi's Metro

Voith has a very close partnership with DMRC, not only geographically.

Our service experts take care of maintaining the Voith SE-344 gear units installed in the vehicles of the Delhi Metro. DMRC benefits from fast response times. After all, the Voith Service Center is located in Delhi’s' suburb Faridabad and thus only a one-hour ride on the Violet line.

Voith Service

Couplings for rail vehicles

Whether it's a standard coupling or a new design, Voith offers you the right solution. The following overview shows you our most important products. However, our full range of bespoke solutions goes beyond those listed here.

Gear couplings (input)

Gear coupling

With metal bellow seal


Max. speed	up to 5,500 RPM
Operation torque	up to 5,500 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 17,000 Nm

Double cardanic, torsionally rigid and self-centering gear teeth
Metal bellow seal for zero leakage of the coupling
Suitable for high axial, radial and angular misalignments
Suitable for high-speed and very high-speed trains
Easy mounting and dismounting of gear coupling half without interference fits loose
Easy lubricant (oil) change without disassembly of the drive
Self-lubricated (oil)
Long lifetime and wear resistant
Long interval between overhaul (lower service cost)

Optional

Overload protection by slipping element
Electrical insulation
Extra seal against very dusty environment

Gear coupling

With flexible seal


Max. speed	up to 5,500 RPM
Operation torque	up to 5,500 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 17,000 Nm

Double cardanic, torsionally rigid and self-centering gear teeth
Suitable for axial, radial and angular misalignments
Easy mounting and dismounting of gear coupling half without interference fits loose
Self-lubricated (grease)
Long lifetime and wear resistant
Long interval between overhaul (lower service cost)

Optional

Overload protection by slipping element
Electrical insulation

Membrane couplings (input)

Membrane coupling


Max. speed	up to 5,000 RPM
Operation torque	up to 10,500 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 25,000 Nm

Torsional rigid and bending flexible coupling
Suitable for minor axial and angular misalignments
High radial stiffness
Easy mounting and dismounting of gear coupling half without interference fits loose
Wear-free
Delivery possible as an assembly motor-coupling-gear unit

Optional

Overload protection by slipping element
Electrical insulation
Engine speed sensor toothing

Double membrane coupling


Max. speed	up to 5,000 RPM
Operation torque	up to 10,500 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 25,000 Nm

Torsional rigid and bending flexible coupling
Suitable for minor axial and angular misalignments
High radial stiffness
Easy mounting and dismounting of gear coupling half without interference fits loose
Wear-free
Delivery possible as an assembly motor-coupling-gear unit

Optional

Overload protection by slipping element
Electrical insulation
Engine speed sensor toothing

Membrane coupling

With fan


Max. speed	up to 5,000 RPM
Operation torque	up to 10,500 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 25,000 Nm

Torsional rigid and bending flexible coupling
Fan function
Suitable for minor axial and angular misalignments
High radial stiffness
Easy mounting and dismounting of gear coupling half without interference fits loose
Wear-free
Delivery possible as an assembly motor-coupling-gear unit

Optional

Overload protection by slipping element
Electrical insulation
Engine speed sensor toothing

Coupling combinations (output)

Coupling combination

Gear coupling - Gear coupling


Max. speed	up to 900 RPM
Operation torque	up to 7,000 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 23,000 Nm

Double cardanic, torsionally rigid and self centering gear teeth
Direct interface to wheel axle
Ring gear is part of gear unit hollow shaft (reduces installation space and additional cost)
Suitable for axial, radial and angular misalignments
Low maintenance cost
Self-lubricated (grease)

Lamella couplings (input/output)

Lamella couplings


Max. speed	up to 4,500 RPM
Operation torque	up to 11,000 Nm
Short-circuit torque	up to 28,000 Nm

Bionic toothing

Voith's innovative bionic toothing is inspired by nature. The optimized tooth root profile makes the toothing more durable and allows for narrower design or a reduction of noise emissions.

Learn more

Voith Service for gear units

Why use Voith Service?

Everything from a single source: development, design, production – and service!
Decades of product experience as an original equipment manufacturer and service provider
Fast and smooth cooperation and best service thanks to a worldwide network of service locations
Long-term partnership and planning security are guaranteed due to longstanding corporate stability

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