Helix

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-05-08

Making Things Work

There is an old saying that if the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Imagine that you are tasked by your employer to de...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-04-17

How Many Teeth Do You Want?

Designing gears is somewhat of a mathematical puzzle. You have lots of interconnected factors to play with in hopes of finding the “best” overall s...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-04-10

What About Face Width?

The second component in that face contact ratio equation is the face width. There are almost as many “rules of thumb” for determining the “proper” ...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-04-05

In Search of True Helical Action

I was trained in the cult of the integer face contact ratio. A few adherents to this belief are still above ground, but the introduction of persona...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-04-03

How Much Helix Angle?

The most obvious difference between a spur gear and a helical gear is the presence of that “helix” angle. Civilians will call them “straight-cut” a...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-03-29

Back to Basics: Helical Gears

Most of the gearboxes I have been involved with use single helical gears. Its excellent power capacity per mesh makes it the default system for man...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-02-28

It Gets Complicated

Why did something as simple as a standard tooth form fail to get traction? While the old joke about the number of opinions at any meeting of engine...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-02-20

My, What Big Teeth You Have!

When I get a call from a new client, one of the first things I ask is “How big are the gears?” One person’s “big” parts may be laughably tiny fo...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-02-01

Understanding Spur Gears

Spur gears have been around “forever.” That ancient astronomical device recovered from the Mediterranean Sea a few years ago shows the antiquity an...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-01-30

Appreciating the Spur Gear

When the average civilian hears the word “gear,” if they think of mechanical things at all, they envision a big spur gear, perhaps in a clock or wi...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2017-11-16

Herringbones 102

Imagine for a moment that your boss invented the herringbone tooth form and tasked you with building machines to cut them. This was the situation P...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2017-11-14

Herringbones 101

I try to avoid technical matters here in the blog on the grounds that we have an entire magazine to cover the “hard stuff.” Besides, very few topic...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2017-06-13

Reconsidering Unwritten Rules

The recent brawl in baseball reminded me that despite the ability to Google almost anything, many people are unpleasantly surprised by the “unwritt...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2017-02-07

Gear Technology in 1912

Continuing with that January 1912 issue of Industrial Engineering magazine … Imagine the courage it took to present a seven-page articl...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2016-10-18

Two Problems, Two Machines, Two Solutions

Delta’s Investment in New Mitsubishi Equipment Adds Capacity, Reduces Cycle Time Dwight Smith, Vice President, Mitsubishi Hea...

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2016-03-01

Practical Gear Characteristics: Process Characteristics of the Most Popular Cutting Methods

The cutting process consists of either a roll only (only generating motion), a plunge only or a combination of plunging and rolling. The material removal and flank forming due to a pure generating motion is demonstrated in the simplified sketch in Figure 1 in four steps. In the start roll position (step 1), the cutter profile has not yet contacted the work. A rotation of the work around its axis (indicated by the rotation arrow) is coupled with a rotation of the cutter around the axis of the generating gear (indicated by the vertical arrow) and initiates a generating motion between the not-yet-existing tooth slot of the work and the cutter head (which symbolizes one tooth of the generating gear).

ASK THE EXPERT | 2015-03-01

Calculating Face Load Distribution Factor

How should we consider random helix angle errors fHβ and housing machining errors when calculating KHβ? What is a reasonable approach?

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2014-12-01

Helix Unveils Miniature Linear Guidance Products

This new family of linear guidance products from Helix offers precision, accuracy and flexibility, and consists of an embedded inverse ho...

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2014-08-01

First International Involute Gear Comparison

Measurement institutions of seven different countries — China, Germany, Japan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the U.S. — participated in the implementation of the first international comparison of involute gear measurement standards. The German metrology institute Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) was chosen as the pilot laboratory as well as the organizer. Three typical involute gear measurement standards provided by the PTB were deployed for this comparison: a profile, a helix and a pitch measurement standard. In the final analysis, of the results obtained from all participants, the weighted mean was evaluated as reference value for all 28 measured parameters. However, besides the measurement standards, the measured parameters, and, most importantly, some of the comparison results from all participants are anonymously presented. Furthermore, mishandling of the measurement standards as occurred during the comparison will be illustrated.

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2014-03-10

Hunting for an Argument

[starbox] One of the first things I learned about gears was the importance of having a “hunting tooth” combination. This was not open to discuss...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2014-01-14

Variable Helix Latest in Gear Sculpture Series

Salem Barker's latest bronze gear sculpture is titled “Variable Helix”. This free standing piece is attractive from every...

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2013-09-01

Exhibitors Confidential

Gear Expo 2013 product preview features a look at many of the key booths you won't want to miss.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2013-08-01

Leading the Way in Lead Crown Correction and Inspection

Forest City Gear applies advanced gear shaping and inspection technologies to help solve difficult lead crown correction challenges half a world away. But these solutions can also benefit customers much closer to home, the company says. Here's how…

PUBLISHER'S PAGE | 2013-08-01

Gear Expo - Mecca Meccanica

It's an ideal time for a pilgrimage to AGMA’s Fall Technical Meeting and Gear Expo, which take place in Indianapolis.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2013-06-01

Bearings Education - A Lot to Learn

Bearings ain't beanbag. They are complicated. They are big-business. They are often counterfeited. They are used in virtually anything that moves. But it is the "complicated" part that challenges OEMs, job shops and other operations, and, most of all, their employees. Add to that the countless other entities around the world that are intimately involved with bearings and you can arrive at a semblance of an idea of just how important these precious orbs can be to a successful operation.

ASK THE EXPERT | 2013-06-01

Worn Gear Contact Analysis

How does one perform a contact analysis for worn gears? Our expert responds.

EVENTS | 2013-06-01

Liebherr Touts Technology at Latest Gear Seminar

For two days in Saline, Michigan, Liebherr's clients, customers and friends came together to discuss the latest gear products and technology. Peter Wiedemann, president of Liebherr Gear Technology Inc., along with Dr.-Ing. Alois Mundt, managing director, Dr.-Ing. Oliver Winkel, head of application technology, and Dr.-Ing. Andreas Mehr, technology development shaping and grinding, hosted a variety of informative presentations.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2012-06-01

Runout, Helix Accuracy and Shaper Cutters

Our experts discuss runout and helix accuracy, as well as the maximum number of teeth in a shaper cutter.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2012-05-01

Gear Software - Without it, Hardware Goes Nowhere

It’s a brave, new hardware-software world out there. Players in the worldwide gear industry who don’t have plenty of both run the risk of becoming irrelevant—sooner than later.

EVENTS | 2012-05-01

Technical Calendar

The complete Technical Calendar from the May 2012 issue of Gear Technology.

VOICES | 2012-01-01

The Global Challenge to America's Engineering and Innovation Position

John P. Walter and Abby Dress analyze the challenges facing America's manufacturers to remain competitive in a global environment.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2011-11-01

State of the Gear Industry 2011

In November, Gear Technology conducted an anonymous survey of gear manufacturers. Invitations were sent by e-mail to thousands of individuals around the world. More than 300 individuals responded to the online survey, answering questions about their manufacturing operations and current challenges facing their businesses.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2011-08-01

Chiming in on Gear Noise: Three Experts Have their Say

It is said that “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Ok, but what about gear noise? We talked to three experts with considerable knowledge and experience in this area.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2011-08-01

Manufacturing Method of Large-Sized Spiral Bevel Gears in Cyclo-Palloid System Using Multi-Axis Control and Multi-Tasking Machine Tool

In this article, the authors calculated the numerical coordinates on the tooth surfaces of spiral bevel gears and then modeled the tooth profiles using a 3-D CAD system. They then manufactured the large-sized spiral bevel gears based on a CAM process using multi-axis control and multi-tasking machine tooling. The real tooth surfaces were measured using a coordinate measuring machine and the tooth flank form errors were detected using the measured coordinates. Moreover, the gears were meshed with each other and the tooth contact patterns were investigated. As a result, the validity of this manufacturing method was confirmed.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2010-09-01

What's the Big Attraction - IMTS 2010

The great thing about a trade show the size of IMTS is the amount of options available to attendees. If you’re into cars, fighter jets, machine tools, fighting robots, manufacturing relics or simply the latest technology advancements in a particular industry, you’ll find it at IMTS 2010.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2010-08-01

Building Repeat Business: What Gear Buyers Really Want from Gear Manufacturers

In this article, gear buyers have been given an opportunity to discuss quality, value, customer service and how gear manufacturers can improve business practices.

PUBLISHER'S PAGE | 2008-01-01

The Graying of the Gear Industry

The gear industry is getting old--fast. What are you doing about it?

ADDENDUM | 2005-03-01

Gear Tattoos

Imagine a shop supervisor with a three-gear drivetrain tattooed on his bicep or a saleswoman with a tiny spur gear silhouetted just above her ankle.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2004-01-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the January/February 2004 issue.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2003-05-01

Product News

Complete Product News for May/June 2003.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2003-05-01

Performance of Skiving Hobs in Finishing Induction Hardened and Carburized Gears

In order to increase the load carrying capacity of hardened gears, the distortion of gear teeth caused by quenching must be removed by precision cutting (skiving) and/or grinding. In the case of large gears with large modules, skiving by a carbide hob is more economical than grinding when the highest accuracy is not required.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2001-03-01

The Calculation of Optimum Surface Carbon Content for Carburized Case Hardened Gears

For high-quality carburized, case hardened gears, close case carbon control is essential. While tight carbon control is possible, vies on what optimum carbon level to target can be wider than the tolerance.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1999-03-01

Fatigue Aspects of Case Hardened Gears

The efficient and reliable transmission of mechanical power continues, as always, to be a central area of concern and study in mechanical engineering. The transmission of power involves the interaction of forces which are transmitted by specially developed components. These components must, in turn, withstand the complex and powerful stresses developed by the forces involved. Gear teeth transmit loads through a complex process of positive sliding, rolling and negative sliding of the contacting surfaces. This contact is responsible for both the development of bending stresses at the root of the gear teeth and the contact stresses a the contacting flanks.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1998-11-01

The Basics of Gear Metrology and Terminology Part II

In the last section, we discussed gear inspection; the types of errors found by single and double flank composite and analytical tests; involute geometry; the involute cam and the causes and symptoms of profile errors. In this section, we go into tooth alignment and line of contact issues including lead, helix angles, pitch, pitchline runout, testing and errors in pitch and alignment.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1998-09-01

The Basics of Gear Metrology and Terminology Part I

It is very common for those working in the gear manufacturing industry to have only a limited understanding of the fundamental principals of involute helicoid gear metrology, the tendency being to leave the topic to specialists in the gear lab. It is well known that quiet, reliable gears can only be made using the information gleaned from proper gear metrology.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 1993-07-01

Gear Tip Chamfer and Gear Noise; Surface Measurement of Spiral Bevel Gear Teeth

Could the tip chamfer that manufacturing people usually use on the tips of gear teeth be the cause of vibration in the gear set? The set in question is spur, of 2.25 DP, with 20 degrees pressure angle. The pinion has 14 teeth and the mating gear, 63 teeth. The pinion turns at 535 rpm maximum. Could a chamfer a little over 1/64" cause a vibration problem?

VOICES | 1993-01-01

Our Readers Discuss Gear Rattle, Gear Books, and Gear Tech

Investigation of Gear Rattle Phenomena The article by Messrs. Rust, Brandl and Thien was very interesting in its description of the problem and of some of the interactions which occur.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 1986-05-01

Viewpoint

Sub: 'Finding Tooth Ratios' article published in Nov/Dec 1985 issue Let us congratulate you and Orthwein, W.C. for publishing this superb article in Gear Technology Journal. We liked the article very much and wish to impliment it in our regular practice.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1986-03-01

Controlling Tooth Loads In Helical Gears

Helical gears can drive either nonparallel or parallel shafts. When these gears are used with nonparallel shafts, the contact is a point, and the design and manufacturing requirements are less critical than for gears driving parallel shafts.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1985-05-01

The Design and Manufacture of Machined Plastic Gears

The use of plastic gearing is increasing steadily in new products. This is due in part to the availability of recent design data. Fatigue stress of plastic gears as a function of diametral pitch, pressure angle, pitch line velocity, lubrication and life cycles are described based on test information. Design procedures for plastic gears are presented.

PUBLISHER'S PAGE | 1985-05-01

Notes From the Editors Desk

This issue, our sixth, marks the 1st Anniversary of GEAR TECHNOLOGY, The Journal of Gear Manufacturing.

VOICES | 1985-01-01

Dear Editor

Congratulations from a number of readers who are impressed with the new magazine.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1984-10-01

Scoring Load Capacity of Gears Lubricated with EP-Oils

The Integral Temperature Method for the evaluation of the scoring load capacity of gears is described. All necessary equations for the practical application are presented. The limit scoring temperature for any oil can be obtained from a gear scoring test.

Helix

Higher Quality Internal Gears