How to Make a Gear in Onshape

Last Updated: June 28, 2024

This wikiHow will teach you how to make a 3D model of a gear using Onshape, allowing you ideally to 3D print the structure. This guide assumes you have used and are comfortable with Onshape.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Starting with the Wheel

Download Article

1

Open Onshape and sign in. Go to your documents and click on Create . Then in the drop down menu pick Document... . Name your document and press OK .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Selet-Sketch-Face1.png\/460px-Selet-Sketch-Face1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Selet-Sketch-Face1.png\/728px-Selet-Sketch-Face1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":267,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":423,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Go to the front view. Start a sketch on the front face.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Draw-A-Rectangle.png\/460px-Draw-A-Rectangle.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Draw-A-Rectangle.png\/728px-Draw-A-Rectangle.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":288,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":455,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3

Draw a rectangle starting somewhere on that middle vertical line.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Dimension-Sketch.png\/460px-Dimension-Sketch.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Dimension-Sketch.png\/728px-Dimension-Sketch.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4
Add relevant dimensions to your rectangle.
- Whatever you input for the vertical dimensions will be doubled when the gear is done. This can be changed to adjust for different applications.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Draw-Line.png\/460px-Draw-Line.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Draw-Line.png\/728px-Draw-Line.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5

Draw a line across the horizontal line from the front view coincidental to the origin.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/Construction-Line.png\/460px-Construction-Line.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/Construction-Line.png\/728px-Construction-Line.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":436,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6

Click this line and make it a construction line.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Revolve.png\/460px-Revolve.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Revolve.png\/728px-Revolve.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":436,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

7

Find and click the revolve tool. Select the rectangle sketch as the face you want to revolve and select the construction line as the revolve axis.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Making a Tooth

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Teeth-Sketch1.png\/460px-Teeth-Sketch1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Teeth-Sketch1.png\/728px-Teeth-Sketch1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1

Go to the right view of your document. Start a sketch on the right face of your wheel.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Line-for-Teeth1.png\/460px-Line-for-Teeth1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Line-for-Teeth1.png\/728px-Line-for-Teeth1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Draw a line starting at the origin and going vertically until past the end of the wheel.
3

Make the line into a construction line.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Second-Circle1.png\/460px-Second-Circle1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Second-Circle1.png\/728px-Second-Circle1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":277,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":438,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4

Draw a center point circle coincidental to the origin.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Distance-between-circles1.png\/460px-Distance-between-circles1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Distance-between-circles1.png\/728px-Distance-between-circles1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":276,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":437,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5

Set the dimension as the difference between the two circles.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Two-teeth-lines1.png\/460px-Two-teeth-lines1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Two-teeth-lines1.png\/728px-Two-teeth-lines1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6

Draw two lines coincidental to both circles near the construction line you drew earlier.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Bottom-of-teeth-distance.png\/460px-Bottom-of-teeth-distance.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Bottom-of-teeth-distance.png\/728px-Bottom-of-teeth-distance.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":436,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

7

Set the dimensions for the points at the bottoms of the lines to the construction line.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Top-of-teeth-distance.png\/460px-Top-of-teeth-distance.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Top-of-teeth-distance.png\/728px-Top-of-teeth-distance.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":276,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":437,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

8

Set the dimensions for the points at the tops of the lines to the construction line.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Select-tooth-region.png\/460px-Select-tooth-region.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Select-tooth-region.png\/728px-Select-tooth-region.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":436,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

9

Select the region that you just worked on.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Extrude-tooth-out.png\/460px-Extrude-tooth-out.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Extrude-tooth-out.png\/728px-Extrude-tooth-out.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":436,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

10

Select the Extrude tool. Remove that area from the wheel.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/91\/Select-face-for-circular-pattern1.png\/460px-Select-face-for-circular-pattern1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/91\/Select-face-for-circular-pattern1.png\/728px-Select-face-for-circular-pattern1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

11

Select the Fillet tool. Apply it to the four lines in yellow above. The default radius is 5mm but you can use 2.5 mm as well.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finishing Up

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Select-face-for-circular-pattern.png\/460px-Select-face-for-circular-pattern.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Select-face-for-circular-pattern.png\/728px-Select-face-for-circular-pattern.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":275,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":435,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1

Select the Circular Pattern tool and make the change from Part Pattern to Face Pattern . Select all the yellow faces above.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Axis-of-pattern-for-circular-pattern.png\/460px-Axis-of-pattern-for-circular-pattern.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Axis-of-pattern-for-circular-pattern.png\/728px-Axis-of-pattern-for-circular-pattern.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":276,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":437,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2

Select the face of the wheel. That is on the outside as shown.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Number-of-teeth-holes.png\/460px-Number-of-teeth-holes.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Number-of-teeth-holes.png\/728px-Number-of-teeth-holes.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":277,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":438,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3

Select the number of times you want the faces selected to be repeated around the wheel.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

This gear is fairly rudimentary and can be improved with an understanding of gear theory.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
To make other sized gears, you must use the same tooth dimensions but different rectangle heights and tooth numbers. For instance, to make an 8 tooth gear that meshes correctly with this gear the rectangle must be 18.75mm tall.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Make a Gear in Onshape

Steps

Starting with the Wheel

Making a Tooth

Finishing Up

Expert Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories