Optimization of Pinion Roughing of Spiral Bevel and Hypoid Gear

Abstract

Roughing plays a very important role in spiral bevel and hypoid gear manufacturing. The roughing machine settings and cutter blade profile are optimized in this article on the basis of three considerations: the transition between the roughing root and the finishing fillet is smoothened, which causes the gear to obtain minimum possible bending stress and maximum bending strength; the finishing stock is distributed evenly to improve the residual stress, which causes the distortion of pinion during the process of heat treatment; and the working load of finishing cutter tip is minimized, and the maximum cutter life is obtained. The complex shape method is successfully used to optimize the roughing machine settings and cutter blade profile. The advantages and benefits of the newly developed roughing process are verified in the manufacture of hypoid gears for a heavy truck axle in a Chinese vehicle company.