Abstract
In order to develop the economical and environmental manufacturing processes and to obtain the high load-carrying capacity of case-carburized gears, the tooth surface-finishing method using the volcanic-ashes was studied. In this paper, the tooth surface textures of shaved gears and finish-hobbed gears were compared with those of surface-finished gears which were manufactured using the volcanic-ashes. First, the test gear tooth was finished by use of the volcanic-ashes which flowed on the tooth surface. Secondly, the three-dimensional curve and surface texture of test gear tooth were investigated using a surface texture measuring instrument. By applying the designed tooth surface-finishing method to the case-carburized tooth surface, the following results are obtained: The random asperities of the shaved tooth surface almost disappear. The vertical interval of concave-convex shape on the tooth surface becomes small. The convex regions of the finish-hobbed tooth surface become smooth. The maximum peak height of the roughness profile on the tooth surface decreases. Therefore, it is found that the tooth surface-finishing method using the volcanic-ashes is a useful manufacturing process from the viewpoint of surface texture and surface durability of power transmission gears.
