| Gear Technology Magazine

Boom or Bust - Are You in the Right Markets

June 1, 2013

Over the past few months we've talked with a lot of gear manufacturers. Many of them tell us business is strong, while others are struggling with reduced demand. The difference between them isn't so much in the quality of their manufacturing operations, but rather trends in the end markets they serve.

Design of a Flexible and Lean Machining Cell, Part I

June 1, 2013

Although a cell is dedicated to produce a single part family, it must have the requisite equipment capabilities, routing flexibility, cross-trained employees and, to the extent possible, minimal external process dependencies. Cells are often implemented in job shops since they provide the operational benefits of flowline production.

Bearings Education - A Lot to Learn

June 1, 2013

Jack McGuinn

Bearings ain't beanbag. They are complicated. They are big-business. They are often counterfeited. They are used in virtually anything that moves. But it is the "complicated" part that challenges OEMs, job shops and other operations, and, most of all, their employees. Add to that the countless other entities around the world that are intimately involved with bearings and you can arrive at a semblance of an idea of just how important these precious orbs can be to a successful operation.

Off-Highway Gears

June 1, 2013

Matthew Jaster

Market needs push in 2013, but will it get one? The construction/off-highway industries have been here before. New equipment, technologies and innovations during an economic standstill that some have been dealing with since 2007.

New Methods for the Calculation of the Load Capacity of Bevel and Hypoid Gears

June 1, 2013

Flank breakage is common in a number of cylindrical and bevel gear applications. This paper introduces a relevant, physically based calculation method to evaluate flank breakage risk vs. pitting risk. Verification of this new method through testing is demonstrably shown.

Tooth Root Optimization of Powder Metal Gears - Reducing Stress from Bending and Transient Loads

June 1, 2013

This paper will provide examples of stress levels from conventional root design using a hob and stress levels using an optimized root design that is now possible with PM manufacturing. The paper will also investigate how PM can reduce stresses in the root from transient loads generated by abusive driving.

How to Design and Install Bevel Gears for Optimum Performance - Lessons Learned

June 1, 2013

Bevel gears must be assembled in a specific way to ensure smooth running and optimum load distribution between gears. While it is certainly true that the "setting" or "laying out" of a pair of bevel gears is more complicated than laying out a pair of spur gears, it is also true that following the correct procedure can make the task much easier. You cannot install bevel gears in the same manner as spur and helical gears and expect them to behave and perform as well; to optimize the performance of any two bevel gears, the gears must be positioned together so that they run smoothly without binding and/or excessive backlash.

Need a Snack - Try 3D Printing Technology

June 1, 2013

3-D printing offers a new way to create food, even gear-shaped snacks are now available via this new technology.

Product News

June 1, 2013

The complete Product News section from the June/July 2013 issue of Gear Technology.

Liebherr Touts Technology at Latest Gear Seminar

June 1, 2013

Matthew Jaster

For two days in Saline, Michigan, Liebherr's clients, customers and friends came together to discuss the latest gear products and technology. Peter Wiedemann, president of Liebherr Gear Technology Inc., along with Dr.-Ing. Alois Mundt, managing director, Dr.-Ing. Oliver Winkel, head of application technology, and Dr.-Ing. Andreas Mehr, technology development shaping and grinding, hosted a variety of informative presentations.