Editing Rack and pinion (section)

== Comparison with Worm gear ==

A rack and pinion has roughly the same purpose as a [[worm gear]] with a rack replacing the gear, in that both convert torque to linear force. However the rack and pinion generally provides higher linear speed — since a full turn of the pinion displaces the rack by an amount equal to the pinion's [[gear#pitch circle|pitch circle]] whereas a full rotation of the worm screw only displaces the rack by one tooth width.  By the same token, a rack and pinion mechanism yields a smaller linear force than a worm gear, for the same input torque. Also, a rack and pinion pair can be used in the opposite way, to turn linear force into torque; whereas a worm drive can be used in only one way.<ref name=zhig2023>ZHY Gear(1023): "[https://www.zhygear.com/worm-gears-vs-rack-and-pinion/ Worm Gears vs. Rack and pinion]". Online article at [https://www.zhygear.com/ the company's website]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240728233459/https://www.zhygear.com/worm-gears-vs-rack-and-pinion/ Archived on 2024-07-28].</ref>