Martin Gears and Sprockets

Martin Company Introduction

Founded in 1951 by Joe Martin Sr., Martin Sprocket & Gear, Inc. (MSG) is a privately-held, family-owned U.S. manufacturer based in Arlington, Texas. Over the decades, Martin Sprocket and Gear has grown from its original machining and fabrication roots to a full-scale provider of power transmission components, bulk material-handling equipment, and industrial hand tools. Martin produces one of the largest selections of sprockets in the industry, covering a wide range of chain types and applications, also designs and manufactures a wide variety of industrial gears, serving both standard and custom power transmission applications.

Types of Martin Gears

Martin manufactures spur gears and gear rack, bevel gears, miter gears and worm gears.

Spur Gears

Martin offers stock spur gears in five distinct styles. The steel versions come in plain and plain with hub designs, while the cast versions are available as plain with hub, web with lightening holes, and spoke styles. All cast gears are fully machined on the working surfaces and feature enlarged hubs that provide greater strength and accommodate larger bore sizes.

Bevel Gears

Bevel gears are designed for right-angle power transmission where high efficiency is essential. Martin stocks them in ratios ranging from 1:1 to 6:1. These gears are manufactured using the long and short addendum system with a 20° pressure angle, which helps reduce tooth undercut in gears and pinions with a low tooth count. Most Martin bevel gears feature the Coniflex tooth form, allowing for slight misalignment during assembly and operation. For optimal performance, the gears should be installed at the correct apex center distance, with thrust bearings positioned behind the hubs to absorb the axial thrust generated by this gear type.

Miter Gears

Miter gears are typically used for right-angle power transmission, operating at a 1:1 ratio between intersecting shafts where high efficiency is required. Only miter gears with the same number of teeth, pitch, and pressure angle can run together, and multiple gears may be combined in sets, such as in differential systems. Because miter gears generate axial thrust that tends to separate the gears, ball or roller bearings—along with thrust bearings—should be used to handle the backward load. All standard Martin miter gears must be mounted at a 90° angle to ensure proper tooth contact. Martin manufactures both miter and bevel gears with the Coniflex tooth form, which allows slight misalignment due to the localized, lengthwise tooth contact. Maintaining the correct mounting distance is essential to preserve proper backlash and ensure the gear teeth align flush. A straight mineral oil lubricant is recommended for most applications.

Martin’s stock miter gears are made from 1144 carbon steel and offered in three series:

• M Series: Unhardened, with plain bore.
• HM Series: Hardened teeth, plain bore.
• HMK Series: Hardened teeth, with keyway and setscrew for easy shaft installation.

Hardened miter gears provide about 50% greater horsepower capacity and improved wear resistance compared to untreated versions. All Martin miter gears are cut to a 20° pressure angle, and they are not interchangeable with gears of other pressure angle systems.

Worm Gears

Worm gearing was originally developed to provide a compact method for achieving large speed reductions between driving and driven shafts, resulting in a corresponding increase in torque (aside from frictional losses). It continues to serve this purpose today. In many cases, the worm wheel is driven by a single-thread worm with a low helix angle, making the system self-locking—that is, the wheel cannot drive the worm, preventing reverse motion. While multiple-thread worms are generally more efficient than single-thread types, they are not always the preferred choice. A single-thread worm is ideal when a high reduction ratio or self-locking capability is the primary requirement, whereas multiple-thread worms are better suited for power transmission where efficiency takes precedence. Proper lubrication is critical for worm gearing, as excess heat generation reduces efficiency. The greater the efficiency, the more power can be transmitted without overheating.

In terms of materials, worms are typically made of steel, while worm wheels are commonly bronze or cast iron. For high-speed applications, steel worms are often hardened and ground to ensure smooth operation and longer service life.

Gear Rack

Martin rack is manufactured from low-carbon, cold-drawn steel and offered in 14½° and 20° pressure angles with standard lengths of 2, 4, and 6 feet. Each piece includes sufficient allowance for cutting and machining. Compatible pinions can be selected from the spur gear section of the catalog. Martin also provides custom racks made from alternative materials, sizes, and pitches upon request.

Types of Martin Sprockets

Martin manufactures roller chain sprockets and metric roller chain sprockets, 800 series sprockets, engineering class sprockets and idler sprocket.

Roller Chain Sprockets

Martin Roller Chain Sprockets are precision-engineered components designed for reliable power transmission in a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured from high-quality materials and available in various configurations, these sprockets ensure smooth engagement with roller chains, reducing wear and extending service life. Martin offers both standard and custom sprockets, making them a trusted choice for performance, durability, and compatibility in demanding environments.

Metric Roller Chain Sprockets

Martin Metric Roller Chain Sprockets are designed to meet international standards, ensuring compatibility with metric roller chains used worldwide. Built from high-quality materials and precision-machined for accurate fit and alignment, these sprockets deliver efficient power transmission and long service life. Available in a wide range of sizes, tooth counts, and hub configurations, Martin metric sprockets provide reliable performance for global industrial and mechanical applications.

800 series sprockets

Martin 800 Series Sprockets are heavy-duty roller chain sprockets designed for industrial applications requiring high strength and durability. Manufactured from high-quality steel, they are precision-machined for accurate chain engagement, ensuring smooth operation and long service life. The 800 Series is available in various sizes, tooth counts, and hub configurations, making it suitable for both standard and custom power transmission needs in demanding environments.

Engineering Class Sprockets

Martin Engineering Class Sprockets are designed for heavy-duty, high-torque applications where standard sprockets may not provide sufficient strength. Made from high-quality steel or cast materials, they feature robust construction to withstand demanding industrial environments such as mining, cement, and bulk material handling. Available in various sizes, tooth counts, and hub configurations, these sprockets deliver reliable, long-lasting performance and can be customized to meet specific operational requirements.

Idler Sprocket

Martin Idler Sprockets are designed to guide, support, or tension roller chains in power transmission systems. Built from durable steel or cast materials and precision-machined for smooth operation, they help maintain proper chain alignment, reduce wear, and extend system life. Available in a variety of sizes, hub styles, and mounting options, Martin idler sprockets are suitable for both standard and heavy-duty industrial applications.

Advantages of Martin Gears and Sprockets

Martin gears and sprockets are engineered for precision, reliability, and durability, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial applications. Their products are manufactured from high-quality steel and cast materials, with advanced machining processes that ensure accurate tooth profiles, smooth operation, and long service life. Features such as the Coniflex tooth form for gears and precision-cut teeth on sprockets allow for slight misalignment while maintaining consistent performance under heavy loads. With a broad selection of styles—including spur, bevel, miter, worm gears, and standard or custom sprockets—Martin provides solutions to meet virtually any power transmission requirement.

Applications of Martin Gears and Sprockets

Applications of Martin Gears

Martin gears are used in a variety of industrial and mechanical systems where precise power transmission is essential. Common applications include:

• Right-angle drives using bevel or miter gears in conveyors and machinery.
• Speed reduction and torque multiplication with worm gears in heavy equipment.
• Linear motion systems using rack and pinion setups for material handling and positioning.
• High-speed and high-torque machinery requiring spur, helical, or custom gears for efficient operation.

These gears are widely employed in industries such as mining, cement, sugar processing, petrochemical, wastewater treatment, and manufacturing, where reliability and long service life are critical.

Applications of Martin Sprockets

Martin sprockets are designed to transfer power efficiently between shafts via roller chains and are used in many industrial and commercial applications. Key uses include:

• Conveyor systems in bulk material handling, mining, and packaging industries.
• Industrial machinery requiring precise chain-driven power transmission.
• Heavy-duty applications such as cement plants, sugar mills, and aggregate processing, using Engineering Class or 800 Series sprockets.
• Guidance and tensioning in chain systems through idler sprockets.

Martin sprockets support high torque, heavy loads, and continuous operation, making them essential components in manufacturing, material handling, and industrial automation environments.

Conclusion

Martin gears and sprockets are reliable, high-quality components widely used in industrial applications for precision, durability, and smooth operation under heavy loads.

For companies seeking alternatives, LILY Bearing offers compatible solutions that match the performance of Martin products while providing flexible customization, cost-effectiveness, and rapid delivery.

These options help industries maintain efficient, continuous operation without compromising on quality, making them a practical choice for power transmission and material-handling systems.