September/October 2023

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Get on Board the Knowledge Express

Since our founding in 1984, Gear Technology’s goal has been to improve your knowledge, bringing you the best possible technical information about gear design, manufacturing, inspection, heat treating and much more. We keep you informed about the business of gear manufacturing, including the trends and technologies that will shape your companies in the coming years.

Technical Articles

Experimental Evaluation of Wind Turbine Gearbox Structural Models Using Fiber Optic Strain Sensors

The main objective of this study is to perform an experimental evaluation of the structural model of a five-planet first planetary stage from a modern 6MW wind turbine gearbox.

Process and Tool Design Optimization for Hypoid Gears with the Help of the Manufacturing Simulation BevelCut

As the challenges in bevel and hypoid gear manufacturing need to be addressed, the objective of this paper is to show the tool and process design can be optimized based on the results of the manufacturing simulation BevelCut.

Feature Articles

Three Days in Motown—Every Gear Is Here

AGMA’s Motion + Power Technology (MPT) Expo is a biennial trade show—running this year from October 17–19 at Huntington Place in Detroit—designed to serve the gear and power transmission industry, representing the full spectrum of professionals involved in the life of a gear, gearbox, or other power transmission device—from design to manufacturing, testing, heat treating, and more. You will find equipment and materials suppliers to make gears; gear and gear drive manufacturers; and every imaginable industry-adjacent supplier from software to tooling, lubrication to bearings, and much more.

Transportation Alterations

The EV to-do list grows daily. Once the engineer has settled in on solving noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) challenges, they pivot toward energy efficiency. They consider the vehicle’s weight, the tooling needed to manufacture the gears, the skiving needed to make the surface finishes as smooth as possible.

In the Spotlight: Heat Treat 2023

The roots of heat-treating run deep within ASM (American Society for Materials) International, as its society was founded in Detroit in 1913 as The Steel Treaters Club. The heat-treating constituency of ASM created the Heat Treating Society (HTS) to provide focused leadership, communications, and service development to its network of worldwide membership of captive and commercial heat treaters, equipment manufacturers, researchers, governments, and technicians. To discuss Heat Treat 2023, the 32nd annual HTS Conference and Exhibition, Gear
Technology took a moment to catch up with conference chair Andrew Banka, vice president of Airflow Sciences Corporation. Heat Treat 2023 is colocated with IMAT and Motion + Power Technology Expo in Detroit, October 17–19.

Tech Talk

Project-Based Groups for Standards Development

AGMA’s standards development process has been reorganized from a committee-based structure to a project-based format. This change means that AGMA will no longer have standing, topic-specific committees. Instead, project working groups will be formed to develop and deliver project-specific objectives. The group will be dissolved at the end of the project. The change will enable the AGMA’s Technical Division Executive Committee (TDEC) to pivot its resources in a timely manner to meet and address the ever-changing needs and challenges of the gearing industry.

Addendum

Three Degrees of Freedom

Three Degrees of Freedom: Notes on an active ball joint mechanism based on spherical gear meshing.

Product News

EMAG LaserTec Develops Holistic Approach to Commercial Vehicles

When the catch phrase “lightweight design” is used for the automobile production, it typically refers to passenger cars, rare...

Complete Machining of Crankshafts in Small Series

As the energy sector continues to advance, efficient and high-precision methods of producing components are a crucial aspect. One area that requires special attention is the machining of crankshafts. WFL Millturn Technologies is responding to this need by offering ground-breaking solutions for the complete machining of crankshafts in small series.

Big Daishowa introduces the C3 series of Big Capto tool holders

Big Daishowa has introduced the C3 program, an expansion of the Big Capto tool holder line, designed to increase efficiency and precision for small lathes.

Grob Systems to Highlight 5-Axis Machining Center at Southtec

Grob Systems, Inc., a global leader in the development of manufacturing systems and machine tools, has announced it will be highlighting power skiving applications on its G550T Mill/ Turn Universal Machining Center at Southtec Booth #829 located at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, SC, from October 24–26, 2023. The  G550T is part of the Grob 5-Axis Turning Centers Line, capable of machining a part by milling and turning in a single setup, saving time, costs and floor space. 

TraceBoss Plus Software Combines Surface Roughness and Crosshatch Measurement and Analysis

Digital Metrology Solutions, provider of measurement software, consulting, and training, has introduced TraceBoss+ (TraceBoss Plus) software, integrating surface texture and crosshatch measurement in a single package.

KISSsoft Offers LTCA Feature in Software Update

The loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA) is crucial in understanding the deformation of gears and its impact on various factors such as noise generation, contact patterns, contact shocks, and torque variations. With the contact analysis feature in KISSsoft, users can calculate tooth contact under specific torque and speed levels, thereby assessing the performance of gears and gearboxes.

PBC Linear Demonstrates Deeper CNC Integration for Its Applied Cobotics Cobot Feeder

PBC Linear (Pacific Bearing Company), a global leader in linear motion solutions, is pleased to announce that it will demonstrate deeper CNC integration for its Applied Cobotics Cobot Feeder at FABTECH 2023, in the Universal Robots (UR) Booth #B17063 in Chicago, September 11-14.

Kapp Niles Provides Digital Solutions for the Closed Loop

With Closed Loop, Kapp Niles offers a system that enables the integration of machining and measuring machines. By using Closed Loop, efficient processes and optimized production are realized. This tool helps companies to improve the quality of their workpieces and to make their processes more efficient.

Weiler Presents Next Generation Abrasives

Weiler Abrasives recently announced the next evolution of abrasives — Tiger 2.0 zirconia alumina and aluminum oxide cutting, grinding and combo wheels. Designed for demanding metal fabrication industries like shipbuilding, pressure vessel and heavy equipment fabrication, these abrasives help cut through inefficiencies, safety issues and labor shortages that prevent companies from doing their best work. 

Industry News

Henrik Ager appointed new President and CEO of Höganäs AB

The Board of Directors has appointed Henrik Ager as the new President and CEO of Höganäs AB, starting October 2, 2023. Henrik Ager is currently CEO of Copperstone Resources AB.

Star Cutter Acquires Tru Tech Systems

Star Cutter Company has acquired Tru Tech CNC grinding systems from Resonetics (Nashua, N.H.), assuming all design and manufacturing of the Tru Tech high precision CNC grinding machines currently performed at the Michigan facilities in Mt. Clemens and Lewiston. Additionally, Star Cutter secures the service, training, and spare parts support for Tru Techs’ vast installation base across North America and Europe.

Liebherr Introduces Women’s Resource Group to Share Ideas and Cultivate Relationships

Liebherr recently interviewed Monica Collins, founder of the Women’s Resource Group at Liebherr in the U.S., to learn why the group was formed and what impacts they are making on the women working for Liebherr in the United States.  Collins has been with Liebherr for four years and serves as a human resources generalist assisting the manufacturing, production, and warehouse departments for all their HR support needs.