Since the design of involute splines and
their manufacture requires considerable
knowledge, not only of the basic properties of the involute profile, but also of various other elements which affect the spline fit and the sometimes complex principles underlying manufacturing and checking equipment, the question is frequently raised as to why the involute profile is given preference in designing splines over the seemingly simpler straight sided tooth profile.
High speed gearing, operating with low viscosity lubricants, is prone to a failure mode called scoring. In contrast
to the classic failure modes, pitting and breakage, which generally take time to develop, scoring occurs early in the
operation of a gear set and can be the limiting factor in the gear's power capability.
The use of plastic gearing is increasing steadily in new products.
This is due in part to the availability of recent design data. Fatigue
stress of plastic gears as a function of diametral pitch, pressure angle,
pitch line velocity, lubrication and life cycles are described based
on test information. Design procedures for plastic gears are presented.
This letter is in response to your article
asking the readers where their interests
lie. The division of Rockwell International where I work has engineering departments in Cicero.
Much information has been written on gear inspection, analytical. functional. semiautomatic and automatic. In most
cases, the charts, (if you are lucky enough to have recording
equipment) have been explained.