Lightweight and low noise gear assembly

A gear assembly comprising:

• a shaft;
• at least one disc;
• and
• a ring gear component;
• wherein two or more of the shaft, the at least one disc, and the ring gear component are welded together;
• wherein the at least one disc comprises a dual disc configuration, the dual disc configuration comprising:
• a first disc;
• and
• a second disc, wherein the first disc and the second disc are oriented so that the first disc and the second disc cross each other;
• wherein first radial ends of each of the first disc and the second disc are joined to the shaft, and each of second radial ends of each of the first disc and the second disc are joined to the ring gear, wherein a distal end of the second radial end of the first disc extends in an axial direction towards a first end of the shaft and a distal end of the second radial end of the second disc extends in an axial direction towards a second end of the shaft.