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Identify Gearboxes by Photo: 8 Series Outline Comparison (GS/GF/IW/GK/LE/QJ/GZ/BST)

source:original    date:2026-11-12

A customer sends a gearbox photo — which series is it, and can our electric actuator drive it? Our gearbox line has 8 series, each with a distinct look. This article shows one outline drawing per series with identification points, duty and torque range, for at-a-glance matching. Full selection tables and dimensions: gearbox catalogue download.

1. GS series quarter-turn worm gearbox (direct-mount) — the most common

How to recognise: horizontal worm housing, output flange facing up (valve/actuator side), small input flange on the side, foot-mounted. Duty: 90° quarter-turn valves, direct-coupled actuators. Torque 250–600,000 N·m (GS50.3–GS600); R versions add a second input stage (ratios up to 2,720).

GS series quarter-turn worm gearbox outline
GS series quarter-turn worm gearbox outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

2. GF series bracket-type worm gearbox (base-mounted)

Recognise: same worm housing as GS but with feet/bracket holes and keyed output shaft — not flange-up. Duty: lever/linkage drive without a direct flange. GF50.3–GF250.3 (+R), input flanges F07–F25.

GF series bracket-type worm gearbox outline
GF series bracket-type worm gearbox outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

3. IW series large worm gearbox

Recognise: GS-like but much larger, big output flange, twin bearing blocks. Duty: high-torque quarter-turn. IW3–IW14 (R: ratios 128–2,564), torque 600–500,000 N·m; IW bracket dimensions made to order.

IW series large worm gearbox outline
IW series large worm gearbox outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

4. GK series bevel multi-turn gearbox (gate/globe valves)

Recognise: bevel gear reversing head + tall protective cover + output valve-stem bronze nut — an upright reverser, not a horizontal worm box. Duty: drives gate/globe valves from multi-turn actuators or handwheel stations (stem nut G2″–M160×3). Torque 600–15,000 N·m (GK14.6–GK40.2, R versions).

GK series bevel multi-turn gearbox outline
GK series bevel multi-turn gearbox outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

5. LE series thrust units (linear)

Recognise: long horizontal push-rod with trapezoidal thread (Tr32–Tr40, left-hand), flanges at both ends — "a long barrel with a screw". Duty: mates a multi-turn actuator to convert torque into thrust. Thrust 11.5–217 kN (LE12.1–LE200.1, stroke 50–500 mm).

LE series thrust unit outline
LE series thrust unit outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

6. QJ ball-joint linkages

Recognise: a link with ball ends both sides + connecting tube + adjuster nut; straight-shank and tapered-shank pin versions, 0–110 mm adjustment. Duty: connects quarter-turn actuator levers to valve/damper levers. Torque 100–20,000 N·m (QJ-10–QJ-2000).

QJ ball-joint linkage outline (straight / tapered shank)
QJ ball-joint linkage outline (straight / tapered shank) (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

7. GZ series worm gearboxes

Recognise: large-flange horizontal worm housing, ratios 2–36 (low ratio, high transmission), output flange from F10. Duty: 300–15,000 N·m quarter-turn (GZ160.3–GZ45). Note: the "GZ ball joint" in Bernard brochures is a different product with the same code — match by picture, not by name.

GZ series worm gearbox outline
GZ series worm gearbox outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

8. BST series multi-turn spur gearboxes

Recognise: cylindrical multi-stage spur-gear barrel (not worm), dual input/output flanges. Duty: multi-turn torque amplification. BST1.5–BST20, torque 1,500–20,000 N·m, ratios 2–8 (some steps unclear in the original; see the catalogue).

BST series spur multi-turn gearbox outline
BST series spur multi-turn gearbox outline (outline drawing from the SJMC gearbox catalogue)

9. Quick comparison

SeriesLookDutyTorque N·m
GSHorizontal worm, output flange upDirect-mount quarter-turn250–600,000
GFGS with feet/bracketLever/linkage duty—
IWLarge horizontal wormHigh-torque quarter-turn600–500,000
GKUpright reverser + stem nutGate/globe multi-turn600–15,000
LELong push-rod + trapezoidal screwLinear thrust11.5–217 kN thrust
QJDouble-ball-head linkActuator-to-damper lever link100–20,000
GZLarge-flange horizontal worm (low ratio)Quarter-turn300–15,000
BSTCylindrical spur-gear barrelMulti-turn torque boost1,500–20,000

Connection flanges cover F03–F60 (ISO 5211 up to oversize); see the catalogue download for full tables.

Related reading

Gearbox catalogue download: 8-series selection tables & dimensions (CN/EN PDF) · Actuator braking methods · Damper ordering parameters

Unsure which gearbox your photo shows? Send it with an RFQ — same-day reply.

Outline drawings from the SJMC gearbox catalogue (19 pages, downloadable on this site); figures per the catalogue selection tables.

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