Are P.I.V. gearboxes still in use today? What is your experience with them?

P.I.V Stands for Positively Infinitely Variable.

The simple and efficient PIV variator is a good alternative to an electric drive: from machine tools to paper production lines, from packaging machines to pump drive

PIV’s are used heavily in the paper, textile, printing, metalworking, powdered metal and chemical industries. They may, however, be present on virtually any equipment requiring an adjustable speed output or straight gear reduction.

Due to the negligible power losses the variator performs with very high efficiency, even when running under partial load.

Their essential qualities are: 

Minimal maintenance-expenses and high efficiency enables economic solutions, even at continuous operating.

High control precision.

The qualities of the " torque-transformer " admits high torques also with low speeds.

Extensive accessories: remote control units, tacho-generators, speed signalling potentiometers, limit switches, electronic speed-control systems. 

The high protection-type allows to operate in dirty environments without expensive additional features.

Patented in by G.J. Abbo, Positive Infinitely Variable (PIV) Transmissions allow the ratio between the input and output RPMs to be considerably varied.

This technology was quickly adopted for speed control, length adjustments, product placement and many other applications worldwide.

Though the PIV Transmission was revolutionary for its day, it has since been overtaken by Servo Motion Control technology. PIVs require frequent adjusting, are inaccurate compared to Servos, and can only be adjusted while running.

These disadvantages lead to wasted material and unnecessary maintenance.