The world of bevel gear grinding is a complex topic. How do you determine which grinding and dressing parameters to select for a desired surface finish? What type of grinding wheel should be used? What type of dresser should be used? How do all these factors affect the gear noise and quality levels? These are some questions that will be addressed in this article.

Manufacturers of EV drive systems are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for quiet-running, dependable transmission gears and shafts. Where once chamfering and deburring operations were almost an afterthought, they’re now considered a primary soft machining process, with widespread recognition that anything less than a flawless tooth flank can result in premature transmission failure, less-than-optimal efficiency, and unacceptable noise.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) September 9–14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place is fast approaching and, for newcomers and veterans alike, it is always worthwhile to plan as much as possible in advance to make the most of it. For Gear Technology readers looking for gear manufacturing equipment such as gear cutting, forming, and finishing, as well as broaching, shaping, and slotting machines, you must first visit the Gear Generation sector in the North Building, Level 3.

This article requires that the reader be familiar with Job Shop Lean, an approach to adapt the principles of lean manufacturing  for a job shop, regardless of its size or industry sector. The following articles will give the interested reader a sufficient background on the many differences between Job Shop Lean and Lean.

Complete inspection of gear surface finishes at the submicron level became a reality with the introduction of Gleason’s 300GMS nano, in 2022. The new system ushered in an exciting new era in gear inspection. For the first time, producers of EV transmission gears, and gears for other applications requiring very tight tolerances and low noise requirements, could quickly inspect surface finishes and perform extremely reliable noise analysis at submicron levels—benefits that were almost impossible to achieve just a few years ago.

When electric drives are used in vehicles, the masking effect of an internal combustion engine disappears, allowing the noise behavior of the transmission to take center stage. At the same time, peak power and torque increase, engine speeds increase, and power must be transferred optimally in both directions due to the regenerative braking system. Conventional design parameters remain important, however: The build space is limited, durability must not be compromised, and the product must still be cost-efficient. Optical metrology as part of a hybrid measurement concept helps to overcome all these challenges.

Thanks to advancements in material science and chemistry, particularly in nanoscience, a new solution has emerged: nanocomposite coatings, more broadly referred to as thin-film coatings. But how did we arrive at this point in coating development? As with many technologies, war highlighted the need for more advanced coating development eventually leading to nanocomposite coatings.

Gear Technology recently had the opportunity to sit down with Thomas White, Marketing Manager for Northern Technologies International Corporation, whose ZERUST line of corrosion prevention solutions includes specialized packaging, testing and comprehensive corrosion management services.

For precision measuring, skilled machinists, toolmakers, and inspectors must have accurate tools and gages, produced from quality materials, carefully manufactured, and rigidly inspected, to ensure lasting dependability. Gages have evolved throughout the years beginning with mechanical, then electronic models, and now convenient wireless electronic versions have come on the scene. Each type has an important place in today’s quality control and inspection processes.

Gear Technology began with the May/June 1984 issue. Forty years later, we’re still going strong! Please join us in looking back at some of our milestones and celebrating what makes this publication truly unique in the marketplace.