Enhanced Automated Spiral Bevel Gear Inspection

This report presents the results of a Manufacturing Methods and Technology program to define, develop, and evaluate an enhanced inspection system for spiral bevel gears. The method utilizes a multi-axis coordinate measuring machine which maps the working surface of the tooth and compares it to nominal reference values stored in the machines computer. The enhanced technique features a means for automatically calculating corrective grinding machine settings, involving both first and second order changes, to control the tooth profile to within specified tolerance limits. This enhanced method eliminates the subjective decision making involved in the tooth patterning method, still in use today, which compares contact patterns obtained when the gear set is run under light load in a rolling test machine. It produces a higher quality gear with significant inspection time and cost savings. Spiral bevel gears Gear inspection Gear manufacturing Zeiss UMM Gears.