Traceable metrology for large involute gears

Abstract

Renewable energy systems are becoming more important due to the current energy transition, where the main share of renewables is derived from wind energy systems. However, failure rates due to critical drivetrain components need to be significantly reduced. Traceable quality management is necessary, but has not yet been established for the large-scale workpieces and their quality assurance. Measurement standards need to be made available for the manufacturing industry. A novel involute gear measurement standard with a diameter of about two metres has therefore been developed. After the first worldwide calibration process of a large-scale gear had been conducted, the measurement standard was used for an intercomparison between seven participants. Apart from the development of this measurement standard, the establishment of a calibration service was initiated, so that setting up quality assurance for large-scale gears is possible in the future.