March/April 2013

Publisher's Page

Turn Off the Noise

Trying to figure out what’s going on in this crazy economy of ours seems a bit like reading tea leaves—one part pseudoscience and three parts wild conjecture. Of course some pundits are telling us that this bull market has legs, while others insist that we’re due for a major correction. Some pump us up with positive news, while others remind us about scary stuff like the budget deficit, the European financial crisis and unemployment.

Voices

DFM Crucial for Gear Industry Success

"Design for manufacturability" (DFM) is a well-established practice, essential to realizing the successful transformation of concepts into mass-produced gears and motion control devices. And yet, all too often issues that could have been avoided are identified very late in the process that impact production costs and schedules. This suggests that key DFM principles are often underutilized in practice and are not applied consistently - or to the degree necessary - to avoid these negative results.

Technical Articles

Producing Large-Sized, Skew Bevel Gear Pinion Using Multi-Axis Control and Multi-Tasking Machine Tool

This paper proposes a method for the manufacture of a replacement pinion for an existing, large-sized skew bevel gear using multi-axis control and multitasking machine tool.

Recent Inventions and Innovations in Induction Hardening of Gears and Gear-Like Components

This paper examines the expanding capabilities of induction hardening of gears through methods like spin hardening or tooth-by-tooth techniques.

How to Conduct a Heat Treat Audit

Audits of the heat treating department are a vital part of any good quality program - either as part of a self-assessment or ISO program for a captive shop or - of equal importance - as part of an evaluation of the capabilities of a commercial heat treat supplier. In either case, the audit process needs to be formal in nature and follow specific guidelines.

Optimization of a Process Chain for Gear Shaft Manufacturing

The research presented here is part of an ongoing (six years to date) project of the Cluster of Excellence (CoE). CoE is a faculty-wide group of researchers from RWTH Aachen University in Aachen (North Rhine-Westphalia). This presentation is a result of the group’s examination of "integrative production technology for high-wage countries," in which a shaft for a dual-clutch gearbox is developed.

Feature Articles

Lean Shipping - Job Shop Lean

The shipping department is the closest to the customer, and its main objective is to maximize shipped orders every month. Our lean guru shows how to eliminate waste in the shipping department.

Heat Treat 2013

An overview of the latest technology and trends in heat treating.

Talking Truth to Power: Plastic Gears Taking Back Seat to No One

Automotive industry embraces proven yet evolving technology of plastic gears.

My Gear Is Bigger than Your Gear

Industry battles it out for World's Largest Gear title.

The OSU Gear and Power Transmission Research Laboratory: Where Innovation Thrives

When, in 1980, OSU professor Donald R. Houser created the Gear and Power Transmission Research Laboratory - then known as the Gear Dynamics and Gear and Power Transmission Laboratory (GearLab) - he did so with the seed money provided by just three companies. Thirty-three years out, the lab has continued to grow, impress and—most importantly - succeed; it now boasts a roster of some 50 sponsoring companies and government agencies.

Ask the Expert

Workholding Options

Question: We manufacture some gears that require an axial face as a datum, as well as locating on the bore for centering. Other gears use only the bore for both axial and radial locating. What type of workholding is appropriate for each type of part? Is there workholding that will work for both types?