Optimization

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2021-09-01

Psychoacoustic Optimization of Gear Noise - Chaotic Scattering of Micro Geometry and Pitch on Cylindrical Gears

A validated simulation model is used to analyze more in-depth investigations into the influence of a stochastic course of the pitch error on the quasi-static excitation behavior.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2021-06-09

SMT Offer Training Workshop: Optimization Tools in MASTA

SMT's June workshops discuss MASTA's wide ranging optimization tools, a selection of features which simplify the optimization pro...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2021-06-01

Hybrid Metrology with Klingelnberg

An overview of tactile and optical metrology

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2021-02-22

Fatigue Strength and Service Calculation of Gears

Bevel gear design is well-established. Flank geometry optimization is used worldwide to ensure satisfactory low-noise emis...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2020-09-23

Team Chemistry

Recent posts have covered finding new employees and how the supervisors and new hires can make the “adoption” work smoothly. Now we get to the real...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2020-06-17

Hoffmann Group Taps WFL Millturn to Test and Optimize Tools

Pushed to the Maximum

With over 4,000 employees and an extensive range of tools, operating equipment and personal protec...

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2020-01-01

Grinding Wheel Wear, Dressing, Tip Advance and Work Phase Angle Adjustment after Corrections

Are there rules to aid in grinding process optimization?

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2019-05-01

Design and Optimization of a Hybrid Vehicle Transmission

The paper is not the proof of a discovery, but it is the description of a method: the optimization of the microgeometry for cylindrical gears. The method has been applied and described on some transmissions with helical gears and compound epicyclic, used on different hybrid vehicles. However, the method is also valid for industrial gearboxes.

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2019-04-30

Hanspeter Dinner—My Story

It was the middle of December — rainy, dark, late, cold. My job with a roller coaster company was the wrong choice. I had a job interview with KISS...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2019-04-09

Ed Kaske — My Story

Ed Kaske was one of the first to respond to our request for origin stories. I apologize for the delay in getting this to print; we liked it so ...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-11-06

Permanent Records

Avoiding corpo...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-09-20

Frequently Asked Questions

Backlash “adju...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2018-09-05

Hainbuch Taps Hänel for Mandrel Prototype Test

Hard work and first-class teamwork between the gear factory Hänel and Hainbuch has paid off. The new mandrel Mando G211 for gear manufacturers, sui...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2018-08-15

IMTS 2018: A Field Guide

Chicago Preps for the Next Manufacturing Technology Extravaganza Matthew Jaster, Senior Editor

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2018-04-30

EMAG Gets Smart with Mobile Analytics

Machine data has never been easier to collect, distribute and analyze. Monitoring production lines, evaluating tools and surveying tool conditions ...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-04-12

Moderation Instead of Modification

Few designers would feel comfortable with a face to pinion pitch diameter ratio of 2.00 anymore. Some still prefer to select face width by face con...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2018-04-10

What About Face Width?

The second component in that face contact ratio equation is the face width. There are almost as many “rules of thumb” for determining the “proper” ...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2018-02-12

IIoT Spotlight: The Job Shop

As IIoT solutions become more readily available throughout the manufacturing sector, challenges continue when you start looking specifically at the...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2018-01-31

IIoT Spotlight: A Look at Honeywell Connected Plant

One of the most relevant topics in manufacturing right now is predicting process conditions and equipment failures for continuous improvement on th...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2017-08-29

Fact Checking Legends

The much better half returned from her first beauty shop appointment in Oil City, shaking her newly coiffed head. Her stylist was an Oil Country li...

GEAR TALK WITH CHUCK | 2017-04-04

What Makes a Good Design?

In my last post I insisted that good design wins in the marketplace. As a student of automotive history, I am compelled to admit that some very gre...

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2017-03-21

Worm Gears: Higher Energy Efficiency and Less Strain on Resources

Introduction The concepts of sustainability and energy efficiency are gaining importance in power transmission engineering. Mor...

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2017-03-01

Analysis and Optimization of Contact Ratio of Asymmetric Gears

This article presents an analysis of asymmetric tooth gears considering the effective contact ratio that is also affected by bending and contact tooth deflections. The goal is to find an optimal solution for high performance gear drives, which would combine high load capacity and efficiency, as well as low transmission error (which affects gear noise and vibration).

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2016-08-01

IMTS 2016 Booth Previews

Comprehensive descriptions of what you will find in the booths of many leading gear industry suppliers at IMTS 2016.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2016-06-01

Worm Gear Efficiency Estimation and Optimization

This paper outlines the comparison of efficiencies for worm gearboxes with a center distance ranging from 28 - 150 mm that have single reduction from 5 to 100:1. Efficiencies are calculated using several standards (AGMA, ISO, DIN, BS) or by methods defined in other bibliographic references. It also deals with the measurement of torque and temperature on a test rig — required for the calibration of an analytical model to predict worm gearbox efficiency and temperature. And finally, there are examples of experimental activity (wear and friction measurements on a blockon- ring tribometer and the measurements of dynamic viscosity) regarding the effort of improving the efficiency for worm gear drivers by adding nanoparticles of fullerene shape to standard PEG lubricant

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2016-05-10

Walter Wear-Optimization App Decreases Wear on Indexable-Inserts and Round-Tools

A new Walter app, which works on all current mobile devices and operating systems, enables users to identify all specific forms of wear o...

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2016-03-01

Plastic Gearing Continues Converting the Unconverted

Plastic gears are everywhere today - throughout your car, at the oceans' lowest depths, in deep space. The question, when is a metal gear a candidate for plastic conversion, can be addressed in three words, i.e. what's the application?

PUBLISHER'S PAGE | 2015-06-01

Good Morning, Class

Since we began publishing in 1984, Gear Technology's mission has been to educate our readers. For 31 years, we've shown you the basics of gear manufacturing as well as the cutting edge. We take our educational mission quite seriously, and we go through steps that most publishers don't have time for or wouldn't consider.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2015-06-01

Industry News

News from Around the Gear Industry

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2015-04-14

AKGears Unveils Latest Tooth Root Fillet Optimization Software

AKGears recently introduced the only commercially available tooth root fillet optimization software that defines the tooth root fillet pr...

EVENTS | 2015-03-01

Calendar

The complete technical calendar from the March/April 2015 issue of Gear Technology.

ASK THE EXPERT | 2014-11-01

Small-Module Gear Design

Gears with a diametral pitch 20 and greater, or a module 1.25 millimeters and lower, are called fine-pitch or low-module gears. The design of these gears has its own specifics.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2014-05-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the May 2014 issue of Gear Technology.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-11-01

Design and Optimization of Planetary Gears Considering All Relevant Influences

Light-weight construction and consideration of available resources result in gearbox designs with high load capacity and power density. At the same time, expectations for gear reliability are high. Additionally, there is a diversity of planetary gears for different applications.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-09-01

Light-Weight Design for Planetary Gear Transmissions

There is a great need for future powertrains in automotive and industrial applications to improve upon their efficiency and power density while reducing their dynamic vibration and noise initiation. It is accepted that planetary gear transmissions have several advantages in comparison to conventional transmissions, such as a high power density due to the power division using several planet gears. This paper presents planetary gear transmissions, optimized in terms of efficiency, weight and volume.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-06-01

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

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.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-05-01

Gear Design Optimization for Low Contact Temperature of a High Speed, Non Lubricated Spur Gear Pair

A gear design optimization approach applied to reduce tooth contact temperature and noise excitation of a high-speed spur gear pair running without lubricant. Optimum gear design search was done using the Run Many Cases software program. Thirty-one of over 480,000 possible gear designs were considered, based on low contact temperature and low transmission error. The best gear design was selected considering its manufacturability.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-03-01

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 | 2012-05-01

Gear Software - Without it, Hardware Goes Nowhere

It’s a brave, new hardware-software world out there. Players in the worldwide gear industry who don’t have plenty of both run the risk of becoming irrelevant—sooner than later.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2012-05-01

Application of the First International Calculation Method for Micropitting

The first edition of the international calculation method for micropitting—ISO TR 15144–1:2010—was just published last December. It is the first and only official, international calculation method established for dealing with micropitting. Years ago, AGMA published a method for the calculation of oil film thickness containing some comments about micropitting, and the German FVA published a calculation method based on intensive research results. The FVA and the AGMA methods are close to the ISO TR, but the calculation of micropitting safety factors is new.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2011-09-01

Next Stop Cincinnati

What's not to like about a more focused, user-friendly Gear Expo? Booth Previews.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2011-08-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the August 2011 issue of Gear Technology.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2009-09-01

Tooth Fillet Profile Optimization for Gears with Symmetric and Asymmetric Teeth

The gear tooth fillet is an area of maximum bending stress concentration. However, its profile is typically less specified in the gear drawing and hardly controlled during gear inspection in comparison with the gear tooth flanks. This paper presents a fillet profile optimization technique for gears with symmetric and asymmetric teeth based on FEA and a random search method. It allows achieving substantial bending stress reduction in comparison with traditionally designed gears. This bending stress reduction can be traded for higher load capacity, longer lifetime, lower noise and vibration and cost reduction.

VOICES | 2009-07-01

Optimization through Customization

Many engineers and purchasing agents think it is more expensive to custom design a component or assembly these days when often customization can save on total costs.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2006-09-01

Product News

The complete Product News section from September/October 2006.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2006-09-01

Gear Shaving - Process Simulation Helps to Comprehend an Incomprehensible Process

Due to its economical efficiency, the gear shaving process is a widely used process for soft finishing of gears. A simulation technique allows optimization of the process.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2005-09-01

Industry News

The complete Industry News section from the September/October 2005 issue of Gear Technology.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2005-07-01

Systematic Investigations on the Influence of Case Depth on the Pitting and Bending Strength of Case Carburized Gears

The gear designer needs to know how to determine an appropriate case depth for a gear application in order to guarantee the required load capacity.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2005-01-01

Good Basic Design or Sophisticated Flank Optimizations - Each at the Right Time

More strength, less noise. Those are two major demands on gears, including bevel and hypoid gears.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2003-07-01

Product News

Complete Product News for July/August 2003.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 1997-07-01

M & M Precision, Penn State & NIST Team Up For Gear Metrology Research

In 1993, M & M Precision Systems was awarded a three-year, partial grant from the Advanced Technology Program of the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Working with Pennsylvania State University, M&M embarked on a technology development project to advance gear measurement capabilities to levels of accuracy never before achieved.

ADDENDUM | 1997-03-01

Down By The Old Mill Stream

Back in the days when our great, great, great, etc., grandaddies were designing gears, one of the most common materials in use was wood. For fairly obvious reasons, we don't see too many wooden gears around anymore. But there are a few.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1993-09-01

Maximum Life Spiral Bevel Reduction Design

Optimization is applied to the design of a spiral bevel gear reduction for maximum life at a given size. A modified feasible directions search algorithm permits a wide variety of inequality constraints and exact design requirements to be met with low sensitivity to initial values. Gear tooth bending strength and minimum contact ration under load are included in the active constraints. The optimal design of the spiral bevel gear reduction includes the selection of bearing and shaft proportions in addition to gear mesh parameters. System life is maximized subject to a fixed back-cone distance of the spiral bevel gear set for a specified speed ratio, shaft angle, input torque and power. Significant parameters in the design are the spiral angle, the pressure angle, the numbers of teeth on the pinion and gear and the location and size of the four support bearings. Interpolated polynomials expand the discrete bearing properties and proportions into continuous variables for gradient optimization. After finding the continuous optimum, a designer can analyze near-optimal designs for comparison and selection. Design examples show the influence of the bearing lives on the gear parameters in the optimal configurations. For a fixed back-cone distance, optimal designs with larger shaft angles have larger service lives.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1993-05-01

Practical Optimization of Helical Gears Using Computer Software

The aim of this article is to show a practical procedure for designing optimum helical gears. The optimization procedure is adapted to technical limitations, and it is focused on real-world cases. To emphasize the applicability of the procedure presented here, the most common optimization techniques are described. Afterwards, a description of some of the functions to be optimized is given, limiting parameters and restrictions are defined, and, finally, a graphic method is described.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1992-01-01

Design Guidelines for High-Capacity Bevel Gear Systems

The design of any gearing system is a difficult, multifaceted process. When the system includes bevel gearing, the process is further complicated by the complex nature of the bevel gears themselves. In most cases, the design is based on an evaluation of the ratio required for the gear set, the overall envelope geometry, and the calculation of bending and contact stresses for the gear set to determine its load capacity. There are, however, a great many other parameters which must be addressed if the resultant gear system is to be truly optimum. A considerable body of data related to the optimal design of bevel gears has been developed by the aerospace gear design community in general and by the helicopter community in particular. This article provides a summary of just a few design guidelines based on these data in an effort to provide some guidance in the design of bevel gearing so that maximum capacity may be obtained. The following factors, which may not normally be considered in the usual design practice, are presented and discussed in outline form: Integrated gear/shaft/bearing systems Effects of rim thickness on gear tooth stresses Resonant response

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1991-11-01

A Rational Procedure for Designing Minimum-Weight Gears

A simple, closed-form procedure is presented for designing minimum-weight spur and helical gearsets. The procedure includes methods for optimizing addendum modification for maximum pitting and wear resistance, bending strength, or scuffing resistance.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1991-05-01

The Lubrication of Gears - Part II

What follows is Part 2 of a three-part article covering the principles of gear lubrication. Part 2 gives an equation for calculating the lubricant film thickness, which determines whether the gears operate in the boundary, elastohydrodynamic, or full-film lubrication regime. An equation for Blok's flash temperature, which is used for predicting the risk of scuffing, is also given.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1990-07-01

Efficient Methods for the Synthesis of Compound Planetary Differential Gear Trains for Multiple Speed Ratio Generation

This article presents an efficient and direct method for the synthesis of compound planetary differential gear trains for the generation of specified multiple speed ratios. It is a train-value method that utilizes the train values of the integrated train components of the systems to form design equations which are solved for the tooth numbers of the gears, the number of mating gear sets and the number of external contacts in the system. Application examples, including vehicle differential transmission units, rear-end differentials with unit and fractional speed ratios, multi-input functions generators and robot wrist joints are given.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1990-03-01

Gear Noise and the Making of Silent Gears

Our research group has been engaged in the study of gear noise for some nine years and has succeeded in cutting the noise from an average level to some 81-83 dB to 76-78 dB by both experimental and theoretical research. Experimental research centered on the investigation into the relation between the gear error and noise. Theoretical research centered on the geometry and kinematics of the meshing process of gears with geometric error. A phenomenon called "out-of-bound meshing of gears" was discovered and mathematically proven, and an in-depth analysis of the change-over process from the meshing of one pair of teeth to the next is followed, which leads to the conclusion we are using to solve the gear noise problem. The authors also suggest some optimized profiles to ensure silent transmission, and a new definition of profile error is suggested.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 1988-09-01

Calculation of Optimum Tooth Flank Corrections for Helical Gears

The load carrying behavior of gears is strongly influenced by local stress concentrations in the tooth root and by Hertzian pressure peaks in the tooth flanks produced by geometric deviations associated with manufacturing, assembly and deformation processes. The dynamic effects within the mesh are essentially determined by the engagement shock, the parametric excitation and also by the deviant tooth geometry.

VOICES | 1985-11-01

Industry Forum

One of the current research activities here at California State University at Fullerton is systematization of existing knowledge of design of planetary gear trains.