Question

How do you reduce backlash error?

Answer 1

Backlash may be caused due to various reasons. Wear and tear of the screw threads of the device and even loose fittings of the device may result in backlash error. We found that this error is caused when a gap exists between the trailing face of the driving tooth and the leading face of the tooth that is behind the driven gear.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Backlash error is the error that occurs while we are changing the direction of gears. We encounter backlash errors when there is a gap between the trailing face of the driving tooth and the leading face of the driving gear. It can be avoided by turning the gear slowly in the same direction. Backlash error can also be defined as the clearance or lost motion in a mechanism caused by gaps between the parts of the gear.
The backlash error is reduced by rotating the screw head always in the same direction while taking a set of observations.
As already mentioned this type error may be avoided by carefully rotating the instrument in the same direction slowly.theoretically, there should be no zero error(ideal case). However, some backlash must be provided to avoid jamming.

Note: Backlash must be provided to avoid jamming. Some reasons for the presence of backlash is a manufacturing defect, thermal expansion, lubrication,etc. Backlash error is completely undesirable.it may be desirable or undesirable depending on the application. Most cases it is unavoidable such as incase of reversing of mechanical couplings