Gear Units and couplings for all rail vehicles
Gear units together with rail couplings transmit the drive torques from the electric traction motor or the engine to the wheelsets and are therefore key components of the drivetrain. You are sure to find an ideal product version in our range for your application and vehicle requirements.
All benefits at a glance
Our gear units provide fitting solutions for all rail vehicles, are optimally matched to their application and individual solutions, meet safety and standard conformity, are weight-optimized, offer optimal installation space, and ensure low life cycle costs.
Optimally matched to their application and individual solutions with proven and extensive tested design
Optimized installation space and weight
Noise optimized
Low life cycle costs
Safety and standard conform
Labyrinth seals and optimized lubrication ensure eco-friendly operation
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 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
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
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
- 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
Gear units for diesel multiple units and alternative drives
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 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)
- 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
- Suspension elements between Motor-Gear-Unit and bogie frame
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
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
Couplings for rail vehicles
Whether it's a standard rail coupling, a new design, or a retrofit, 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 |
Technical specifications
Gear units
Gear units for electrically driven vehicles
| Type | SE* | SZ* | SET | SEH | SZH | SK/KE | KSH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive arrangement | Transverse drive | Longitudinal drive | Longitudinal drive | ||||
| Gear type | Helical gear | (Helical-)bevel gear | Bevel-helical gear | ||||
| Gear stages | Single-stage | Double-stage | Single-stage | Single-stage | Double-stage | Single-stage/double-stage | Double-stage |
| Mounting type | Axle-mounted | Fully sprung | Fully sprung | Axle-mounted | Fully sprung | ||
| Application area | Metros, High-speed trains, Electric multiple units and Locomotives (E) | Metros, High-speed trains and Electric multiple units | Locomotives (E) and Electric multiple units | Locomotives (E) and High-speed trains | Light rails, trams and Electric multiple units | High-speed trains and Electric multiple units | Light rails and trams |
Gear units for alternative driven vehicles
| Type | SE | SZ | SZH | SK/KE | SET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive arrangement | Transverse drive | ||||
| Gear type | Helical gear | Bevel-helical gear | Nose-suspended gear | ||
| Gear stages | Single-stage | Double-stage | Double-stage | Single-stage | Single-stage |
| Mounting type | Axle-mounted | Axle-mounted | Fully sprung | Axle-mounted | Axle-mounted |
| Application area | Diesel multiple units (DE), Locomotives (DE), Special purpose vehicles | Diesel multiple units (DE), Locomotives (DE), Special purpose vehicles | Diesel multiple units (DE) | Diesel multiple units (DH/DM), Locomotives (DH), Special purpose vehicles | Diesel multiple units (DE), Locomotives (DE), Special purpose vehicles |
* This model is also available in a modular version.
Couplings for gear units
| Type | Gear couplings (input) |
Membrane couplings (input) |
Coupling combinations (output) |
Lamella couplings (input/output) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designs |
|
|
|
|
| Max. speed [rpm] | up to 5500 | up to 5000 | up to 900 | up to 4500 |
| Operation torque [Nm] | up to 5500 | up to 10500 | up to 7000 | up to 11000 |
| Short-circuit torque [Nm] | up to 17000 | up to 25000 | up to 23000 | up to 28000 |
| Application area | Metros, High-speed trains, Electric multiple units and Diesel multiple units (DE) | Metros, High-speed trains, Electric multiple units and Diesel multiple units (DE) | Light rails and trams and High-speed trains | Locomotives (DE) and Locomotives (E) |
References
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 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.
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.
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
