How to Set Up a Planetary Gear Motion with SOLIDWORKS - The Robot Report

The article "How to Set Up a Planetary Gear Motion with SOLIDWORKS" from The Robot Report provides a detailed guide on assembling and simulating a planetary gear system within SOLIDWORKS. Planetary gearing is highlighted as a compact, high-torque alternative to traditional gear reducers, commonly used in various applications. The setup process begins by inserting the key components—three planet gears, one sun gear, one ring gear, a carrier, carrier shafts, and a sun shaft—into a new assembly. Critical to the motion simulation are the pitch circles created as construction sketches on each gear, with a special "Planet Gear Path" circle on the ring gear to guide the planet gears' movement. The assembly process involves mating the gears and shafts precisely using coincident and concentric mates to ensure proper alignment and rotational freedom. Gear mates are then applied between the pitch circles to define gear ratios and simulate gear interactions, with attention to correct spin directions. Additional mates are used to align gear teeth accurately