Method for Cutting Hypoid Gears : Duplex Spread-Blade Method

Abstract

In this paper, a duplex spread-blade method for cutting hypoid gears with modified tooth surfaces is proposed. The duplex spread-blade method is a rapid and economical manufacturing method because both the ring gear and the pinion are cut by a spread-blade method. In the proposed method, the non-generated ring gear is cut by a cutter in which each cutting edge is altered from the conventional straight line to a circular arc with a large radius of curvature and the pinion is generated by a cutter with conventional straight line cutting edges. Use of the circular arc cutting edges enables the application of the duplex spread-blade method in theory and produces modified tooth surfaces. The main step in this method is the determination of the cutter specifications and machine settings so as to satisfy the duplex spread-blade conditions while taking into account the positions of the tooth bearings. The proposed method was validated by using it in gear manufacture.