GEAR SOLUTIONS MAGAZINE

DISTORTION-FREE

MEASUREMENTS
OF
DISTORTION-FREE MEASUREMENTS OF HOBS

HOBS

COMPANY PROFILE:
United Tool
Supply Company
3-D MEASURING

TECHNOLOGY
POSSIBLE
APPLICATIONS

FOR SPIRAL
FACE GEARS

FEBRUARY 2015

Your Resource for Machines, Services, and Tooling for the Gear Industry

FEBRUARY 2015

gearsolutions.com

The most interesting man in the gear world

He once climbed the Matterhorn
and attended a machine run off, in
Germany, on the same afternoon

He has been known to

hand carry parts to his
secret manufacturing plant,
in an unknown location

But, when it comes

to workholding, He
always prefers

Knig

Stay productive, my friends

1921 Miller Drive
Longmont, CO 80501
303-776-6212
www.toolink-eng.com

No room for error?

For gears they can

rely on, partner with
a heat treater that
you can rely on.

At Solar Atmospheres, your critical specs get the

specialized expertise they deserve. From stress relief to
case hardening, well help assure that your gears can
go the distance. Precise carbon control and aerospacequalified pyrometry produce uncompromised quality.
Harness our leading-edge vacuum technology to improve
the uniformity of your case depths, minimize distortion
and enjoy clean parts with no IGO (intergranular oxidation). ISO 9001 / AS 9100,
Nadcap accredited.
Vacuum

Heat treating

Brazing

CarBurizing

nitriding

www.solaratm.com
1-855-WE-HEAT-IT

FEBRUARY 2015

Application of ICME to Optimize

Metallurgy and Improve Performance
of Carburizable Steels

By Jeff Grabowski, Jason Sebastian, Aziz Asphahani, Clay Houser,

Kerem Taskin and Dave Snyder

By combining image-processing technology with one probe and

six CNC-controlled axes, ZOLLER is able to sucessfully execute
hob measurements without any distortions for its customers.

38

28

Company Profile: United Tool Supply Company

32

Involute Spiral Face Couplings and Gears:

44

The Convergence of Gear Metrology and

3-D Measuring Technology: The Slow Evolution

By Anna Claire Conrad

Although the business and the Young family have been faced with great adversity throughout this
past year, both have overcome those obstacles and are striving to preserve and build on Rustys
legacy within this industry.

Design Approach and Manufacturing Technique

By Dr. Alexander L. Kapelevich, AKGears, LLC, and Stephen D. Korosec, Koro Industries, Inc.
By presenting spiral face gears with an involute tooth line and an identical tooth profile in the
normal section at any given radius, two applications are made possible for such face gears.

By Chris Pumm and Dwight Smith

While there has been a gradual convergence of generative gear metrology and 3-D or CMM type
measurements, significant differences remain. This article explores the historical perspective
and outlines the current technology.
FEBRUARY 2015

DEPARTMENTS

08 INDUSTRY
NEWS
Solar Atmospheres Vacuum Heat
Treats Ti Manifold for
Orion Spacecraft

Gearbox Holdings CEO

David Coolidge Appointed to
AASA Board of Governors

Gleason Helps Gdel AG Fulfill

Ambitious Requirements

In this section, the premier supporter of gear manufacturing in the United States
and beyond shares news of the organizations activities, upcoming educational
and training opportunities, technical meetings and seminars, standards
development, and the actions of AGMA councils and committees.

22 MATERIALS
MATTER
Fred Eberle

17

50 PRODUCT
SHOWCASE

When Master Gears are designed properly, errors can

be deantified, and, with more discrimination, that
type of error can be mapped out to indicate specific
performance issues within the application itself.

Reports, data, and developments

to keep you aware of whats
happening with your colleagues in
the gear-manufacturing industry
around the country and world.

American
Gear Manufacturers
Association

56 Q &A
Marvin Nicholson,
Pentagear Products LLC

24 TOOTH
TIPS
David Senkfor

In an age where putting information out first seems

to be valued over insuring that information is correct,
its important to take the time to execute a quality
product or service both for the customers benefit
and your own.

HOT
26 SEAT
Jack Titus

Vacuum pumps and nitrogen can equally achieve low

ppm oxygen levels. However, pumps are slow to remove
water vapor while an inert gas purge is time consuming.

27 TREND
TALKS
Anna Claire Conrad

Now that weve kicked off 2015, theres one thing on

everyones mindsmaking more money this year than
what was made in 2014. In the gear manufacturing
industry, theres a sure fire way to ensure that will
happen increasing sales.

Gear Solutions (ISSN 1933 - 7507) is published monthly by Media Solutions, Inc., 266D Yeager Parkway Pelham, AL
35124. Phone (205) 380-1573 Fax (205) 380-1580 International subscription rates: $72.00 per year. Periodicals Postage
Paid at Pelham AL and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gear
Solutions magazine, P.O. Box 1210 Pelham AL 35124. Publications mail agreement No. 41395015 return undeliverable
Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 503 RPO West Beaver Creek Richmond Hill, ON L4B4R6. Copyright 2006 by Media
Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the
publisher. The views expressed by those not on the staff on Gear Solutions magazine, or who are not specifically employed
by Media Solutions, Inc., are purely their own. All "Industry News" material has either been submitted by the subject
company or pulled directly from their corporate web site, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and
submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to editor@gearsolutions.com.

FEBRUARY 2015

VOLUME13 / NO. 02
FEBRUARY 2015

LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR

David C. Cooper
PUBLISHER

Chad Morrison

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

EDITORIAL

Last month, I talked about how quickly the new year snuck up on me, and even now, in February,
my face still stings from the whiplash.
I mean, wasnt I in college, like, yesterday? Didnt I adopt my now 2-year-old puppy yesterday?
And didnt I get engaged two months ago as opposed to only having two months to go till the big
day? It seems as though the better and more exciting my life gets, the more of a blur it becomes.
Time has flown by these past few months, and Im running at full-speed to keep up.
Thankfully, Ive adjusted to all of these new challenges and opportunities well, and Ive finally
come up with a routine that keeps me productive and sane, whichlets be realbenefits everybody.
Said routine requires a lot of exercise, good food, sleep, time spent with my family and friends,
and, overall, TLC. Thats what fuels me. Similarily, the gear industry must be properly cared for if
its expected to operate at its best.
This issue, well explore a variety of ways to grow your business and have it flourish in 2015.
Our company profile on United Tool Supply Company describes the man Rusty Young was as
both a family man and a professional, what he meant to this industry, and the legacy he left behind
after passing away last February at the age of 69. Well also highlight what his son, Jeff, has done
since taking over for his dad and what he has planned for United Tool throughout the year.
In this months Q&A, we spoke with Marvin Nicholson, founder and president of Pentagear
Products LLC in Ohio. There, youll learn about the different ways he created a healthy, strong,
and successful family business and what to expect from Pentagear in 2015.
And, as it is with every issue, our Hot Seat, Materials Matter, and Tooth Tips columnists are
here to explain different ways to operate specific equipment and apply certain techniques in a realworld environment and how it can benefit you and make your operations and shop floor run more
smoothly.
You may even learn a thing or two from what I have to say in Trend Talks about various
methods of sales and how to market your business. We even dive into our how United Tool and
Pentagear were able to do so at their respective operations. Ill give you a hint... Higher quality of
products and a more streamlined, efficient means of external and internal communication will
result in a more successful business that yields higher sales numbers.
As always, the information youll read about in this issue will also be available online at
www.gearsolutions.com, in the Gear Solutions app, and on our 2015 calendar.
In the midst of your New Years resolutions, make sure to make yourself a priority. Do what you
need to do to operate at your best, and, consequentially, your gear business will follow suit.

Stephen Sisk
EDITOR

Anna Claire Conrad

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

SALES

Chad Morrison

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

CIRCULATION

Teresa Cooper
MANAGER

Kassie Boggan
COORDINATOR

Jamie Willett
ASSISTANT

ART

Jeremy Allen

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michele Hall

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS

FRED EBERLE
DR. ALEXANDER L. KAPELEVICH
STEPHEN D. KOROSEC
CHRIS PUMM
DAVID SENKFOR
DWIGHT SMITH
JACK TITUS
E. ZOLLER GMBH & CO. KG
Vertical Logo

Thanks for reading!

Anna Claire Conrad
PUBLISHED BY MEDIA SOLUTIONS, INC.
P. O. BOX 1987 PELHAM, AL 35124
(800) 366-2185 (205) 380-1580 FAX

Anna Claire Conrad

Associate editor
Gear Solutions magazine
editor@gearsolutions.com
(800) 366-2185 x205

Dav id C. Cooper
PRESIDENT
Chad Mor r i son
VICE PRESIDENT
Ter esa Cooper
OPERATIONS

gearsolutions.com

New England Gear has

Fellows 20-4 Gear Shapers

CUSTOM Fanuc Controller

OPTIONS
5 Stroke
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SWING AWAY Center Support
OTHER Risers Available
We own what we sell, and
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We have the Worlds largest stock of
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We do it all! Our machines are equipped
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20-4 IN STOCK
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and start shaping now!

REMANUFACTURED RETROFITTING CUSTOM MACHINES

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343 John Downey Dr.
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p. 860-223-7778 f. 860-223-7776

www.newenglandgear.com

INDUSTRY
NEWS

New Products,
Trends, Services,
and Developments

Solar Atmospheres Vacuum

Heat Treats Ti Manifold for
Orion Spacecraft

______________________
www.solaratm.com

______________________
On Friday, December 5, 2014, NASAs
new spacecraft Orion launched successfully from Cape Canaveral and completed
its first test flight. One of the tricky parts
of launching humans into space is deciding
what to do if something goes wrong while
riding on top of a controlled explosion for
nine minutes. New to all future human
present rockets will be the Launch Abort

System (LAS). This critical part of the

safety system was vacuum heat treated by
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA. The
large manifold housing made from 6AI
4V titanium is designed to rapidly propel
astronauts away from the main rocket in
case of a catastrophic explosion or any
other unexpected event. Once fired, the
LAS will accelerate the astronauts away
from the main rocket at forces up to 10
to 15 gs.
Michael Johnson, Sales Manager stated
The welded component needed to be
homogenously treated to insure peak performance in the event the LAS would be
needed. Precise temperature monitoring

of the part and uniformity of the furnace

was the easy part, while minimizing distortion, and avoiding eutectics with the
fixture materials used, were ultimately the
real challenge. At the end of the day, both
Solar and its customer had a process that
proved to be successful on the prototype
and the three additional manifolds that
followed.
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA is
very proud knowing that they contributed
to the success of the Orion Mission.
For more information about Solar
Atmospheres of Western PA, please contact Mike Johnson at (866) 982-0660 ext.
2223, or mike@solarwpa.com.

Companies wishing to submit materials for inclusion in Industry News should contact the Associate Editor Anna Claire Conrad at editor@gearsolutions.com.
Releases accompanied by color images will be given first consideration.

gearsolutions.com

Motion Industries Announces

Agreement to Acquire Miller
Bearings Inc.

Gearbox Holdings CEO David

Coolidge Appointed to AASA
Board of Governors

www.motionindustries.com

_____________________

www.raybestospowertrain.com

Motion Industries, Inc. a completely owned

subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, has
entered into a definitive agreement whereby
Motion Industries has agreed to acquire
Miller Bearings, Inc., headquartered in
Orlando, Florida in the first quarter of 2015.
Miller Bearings is one of the leading independent distributors in the state of Florida
for industrial MRO products, including
bearings, power transmission products, fluid
power, electrical and automation components, as well as safety and industrial supplies. Millers customers represent a broad
cross-section of industries in the state, which
are presently being served from 17 locations.
According to William Bill Bieberbach,
President and CEO of Miller Bearings,
Miller has been in business for 67 years,
employing more than 130 people. We
are very excited to become part of Motion
Industries and the opportunities for growth
that will be available to our talented team.
Tim Breen, President and CEO of Motion
Industries, stated, The addition of Miller
Bearings better positions Motion Industries
for continued growth in the Southeast. We
want to welcome all of the Miller Bearings
employees to the Motion family and we look
forward to the contributions they will make
to our Company in the years ahead.
With annual sales of $4.5 billion, Motion
Industries is a leading industrial parts distributor of bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical and industrial automation,
hydraulic and industrial hose, hydraulic and
pneumatic components, industrial products,
safety products, and material handling.
Motion Industries has over 550 operations
including 15 distribution centers throughout North America and serves more than
150,000 customers from the food and beverage, pulp and paper, iron and steel, chemical,
mining and aggregate, petrochemical, automotive, wood and lumber, and pharmaceutical industries.
Motion Industries is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company
(NYSE: GPC). You can contact them tollfree at (800) 526-9328.

The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers

Association (AASA) has elected Gearbox
Holdings CEO, David Coolidge, to a

_____________________

_____________________
_____________________

three-year term on its Board of Governors.

Coolidge re-joins the AASA with several years of experience, having served as
Chairman of the Board in 2011.
I am honoured to once again be a
part of the AASA and to serve alongside
an esteemed group of executives in such
an influential automotive aftermarket
organization, said Coolidge.

FEBRUARY 2015

www.climate-kic.org

ups with a business idea tackling climate

change can apply for the Climate-KIC
Accelerator until 16 February 2015.
TheClimate-KIC Acceleratorsupports
entrepreneurs to transform their climate
innovations into sustainable business models and marketable products or services. It
helps the most promising start-ups to connect with the right experts, to formulate
their business plans, develop their entrepreneurial skills and fund their businesses
through the early stages.
The incubation programme consists of
three stages of six months offering an
overall package worth up to 95,000.
Accepted start-ups get professional pitch
training and business coaching, substantial financial support, office space at a
clean-tech incubator in Berlin or Munich
and access to the exclusive European
and international Climate-KIC network
to help find investors and first customers.

Climate-KICs centre in Germany are

calling for new applications to their
clean-tech incubation program. Start-

How to apply
Climate-KIC is looking for entrepreneurs with scalable and technological-

motes a collaborative industry environment through providing a forum to

address issues and serving as a valued
resource for its members.
Based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.,
Gearbox Holdings, Inc., designs, manufactures and distributes transmission,
wet-wheel braking and steering components under the Raybestos Powertrain,
Allomatic and Steel Parts brand names.
These components provide solutions for
automotive OEMs, auto and industrial
suppliers, heavy-duty transmission and
wet-wheel brake manufacturers.
For more information, contact Al
Avila at (765) 359-2861 or by email at
AAvila@raybestospowertrain.com.

The AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers

of automotive aftermarket components,
tools, equipment and related products
in support of 710,000 employees in the
United States. The AASA is recognized
as an industry change agent that pro-

Climate-KIC Accelerator in
Germany Opens for New Start-ups

_____________________
_____________________

Unite-A-Matic

P.D. GEAR INSPECTION

0-12 OD CAPACITY 0-9 ID CAPACITY SHAFT CAPABLE

SHOP HARDENED LOWEST COST IN THE INDUSTRY

NEW RELEASE 03/2014

+/- .001 MM
REPEATABILITY

KISSsoft Highlights

KISSsoft USA, LLC

3719 N. Spring Grove Road
Johnsburg, Illinois 60051
Phone (815) 363 8823
dan.kondritz@KISSsoft.com

Strength calculation and 3D models of

beveloid gears
Simulation of flank wear based on
iterative calculation
Enhanced sizing for gear modifications
3D display of shafts and bearings
Efficiency and thermal rating in KISSsys
And many more ...
Get your free trial version at
www.KISSsoft.com

UNITE-A-MATIC.COM
10

gearsolutions.com

earSol_KISSsoft_Rel_03_2014_Highlights_92_25x123_83mm.indd 1

5/5/2014 10:57:35 AM

ly promising business ideas that have

high impact on climate change. Startup teams of at least two persons can
applyhere.
Applications are open from January, 1
through Febraury 16, 2015. Aselection
round with live pitches will be held in
March, before the new program starts
on April 1, 2015.

2013 a team of management, purchasing and sales personnel from Gleason

Pfauter Studen visited Gdel in order to
exchange information and discuss various subjects of mutual interest. In these
discussions we learned that Gdel was
facing serious problems with one of their
old hobbing machines, and had started
a project to replace it. In the course of

further meetings it became clear that

the machine Gdel was looking for had
to cover a wide range of components,
produced with different processes. No
single off-the-shelf machine was suitable. The most important application
was the skiving of worm shafts, ranging
from 1 to 10 starts. It became clear to
us that our new Gleason 100PS Power

Information and Contact

For further information on the German
Accelerator programme clickhereor
contactMaura Kessel, Manager of the
Accelerator programme atClimate-KIC
Germany.
Interested start-ups also have the
opportunity to meet the Accelerator
team at following dates:
O
 pen office hours on Thursdays
9:30 11:30 am at Climate-KIC
Germany, EUREF-Campus, BerlinSchneberg
Open office hours on Tuesdays 2:00
4:00 pm at UnternehmerTUM
GmbH, Garching, Munich
Climate Hackathon, 23 25 January
2015, at Green Garage, EUREFCampus, Berlin-Schneberg (details)
UnternehmerTUM Network Meeting
Entrepreneurs Night, 28 January
2015, 7 pm, at Oskar von Miller
Forum, Oskar-von-Miller-Ring 25,
80333 Munich

Gleason Helps Gdel AG Fulfill

Ambitious Requirements

_____________________
www.gleason.com

_____________________
The new Gleason 100PS Power Skiving
Machine: first results are in with an
installation at Gdel AG, Langenthal,
Switzerland, a leading worldwide manufacturer of machinery and factory equipment,
with particularly strong manufacturing and
process automation capabilities.
Gdel and Gleason-Pfauter Studen
have long cultivated a relationship as
suppliers and users of each others products. Currently, Gdel is producing gear
components on Gleason machines, and
we are integrating Gdel automation
systems in our products. In February,
FEBRUARY 2015

11

Left to right: Thomas Widmer, Project Manager Production (Gdel); Ismajl Canaj, Manufacturing Engineer Gear Production (Gdel); Hans R.
Gasser, RSM Switzerland (Gleason); Andr Lehmann, Senior Service Engineer (Gleason)

Skiving Machine would be the perfect

candidate to meet Gdels requirements.
Soon, we began testing the process in
trials and it proved to be capable of
delivering the required results. This was

a challenging process. The feasibility of

manufacturing processes like hobbing
of pinions, skive hobbing, hobbing of
worms and worm wheels and milling of
worms were studied. Ultimately, these

Spline Milling on
Traditional CNC Equipment
Utilizing custom ground form inserts and standard
precision ground tool bodies with a precise insert locking
and locating system, TMFM LLC can turn spline hobbing
operations into a true milling scenario!

studies and trials showed that, with some

mechanical modifications and programming software development, the 100PS
could fulfill Gdels ambitious requirements.
Gdel ordered the 100PS shortly
thereafter. We decided to define the
workholding and additional accessories, including the customers request
to continue to use some of his existing
workholding with the new machine.
As expected, software development was
one of the biggest challenges, given the
complexities of the many operations
and workpieces. The software development started first on a simulator and
was installed on the machine later.
Pre-acceptance trials were conducted
in several steps to show the progress we
were making. We are now in the final
stages of installation and the start of
production.
It is projects like these which allow
us as a company to progress and lead
to new developments for the future
machine generations.

2-Day WEbcaSt/OnSitE aUctiOn

WED. March 11th & thUrS. March 12th
Location:

Preview:

ASSETS 282 / 285 Ontario St. Mon. & Tues.

AVAILABLE St. Catharines,
Mar. 9th & 10th
NOW!
Ontario, Canada
or earlier by appt.

HUGE QTY. of SHOP & PLANT SUPPORT EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES & TOOLING

CNC Gear, Late Model CNC Turning & Machining,

Heat Treat, Fanuc Robots, Tool Room, Fabricating,
Complete Power House & Substations
DAY1 - Wednesday, March 11th

CNC Gear Hobbers, Shavers, Shapers & Generators

Unused Gleason Hobbs &Tooling M&MGear Tester Gantry Mounted Fanuc

Robots CNC Horizontal & Vertical Machining Centers CNC Horizontal Vertical
Turning Centers Spline Rollers Angle & Bar Shears Beche Cross Rolling
Machines Hot Forming Press Shot Blast Equipment Heat Treat Furnaces
& Gas Generators Plant Support

DAY2 - Thursday, March 12th

Multi-Industry Solutions

Unused Gleason Hobbs &Tooling M&MGear Tester Tool Room Equipment

Centerless & Double Disc Grinders - Cincinnati, Gardner & Besly Table Type & Floor Type
Horizontal Boring Mills Bridge Cranes Rolling Stock Elec. Substations/Complete Power
House Broaching Machines & Hones Washers/Mist & Dust Collectors/Coolant
Systems Dynamometers & Test Equipment Plant Support
Contact Ken Planet at 248.254.9999 x33 or 248.238.7988 or email kplanet@hilcoglobal.com

OILFIELD

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tmfmllc.com 1.877.SPLINE.5

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Hilco Industrial, LLC: IL License #444.000215

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Prefer click-to-bid?
Register and bid on

Ipsen Announces New Vice

President of Sales, Patrick
McKenna

_____________________
www.ispenusa.com

_____________________

(2008-2014). In addition, he was selected to

serve on the MTI Furnaces North America
Technical Program Committee in 2008 and
2010, during which he was chosen both years
to be a moderator for their technical sessions.
McKenna has received several awards from
the MTI, including the Presidents Award
(2014) and the Heat Treater of the Year/
Master Craftsman award (2011).

At Ipsen, McKennas responsibilities include

managing the sales and distribution channels of all Ipsen equipment and aftermarket
into the North and South American markets.
McKennas vast heat-treating knowledge and
industry experience, along with his proven
ability to drive results and create growth, will
be instrumental in continuing Ipsens mission
to be a partner in their customers success.

Ipsen USA is pleased to welcome the newest

member of the Ipsen Team, Patrick McKenna
as Vice President of Sales. He is replacing Art
Tsubaki, who is now Managing Director of
Ipsen Japan. Reporting to Geoffrey Somary,
CEO of Ipsen USA and COO of Ipsen
Group, McKenna is responsible for all new
equipment and aftermarket sales. He is also a
member of the Ipsen USA Executive Team
and the global Ipsen Group Management
Committee.
McKenna earned his bachelors degree
in mechanical engineering (BSME) from
the University of Illinois at Chicago and a
masters degree in manufacturing engineering (MME) from Northwestern University.
Previously, McKenna was Vice President of
the renowned Nevada Heat Treating, Inc.
(including California Brazing), which specializes in the heat treating and brazing of critical
components found at the heart of complex
machines. As an active member of the companys board of directors since 2002, McKenna
was instrumental in their growth, helping the
company increase revenues more than 15
times over.
McKenna has also served on the Metal
Treating Institute (MTI) Board of Trustees
since 2006 and has held the following positions: President Elect (2015), Treasurer (2014)
and Membership Committee Chairperson
FEBRUARY 2015

13

U.S. Cutting Tool Consumption Down 18.9% in

November

_____________________
www.amtonline.org

_____________________
At Southern Gear & Machine, your parts are in the capable
hands of our machinists and engineers who have an average of
25 years of experience in gear manufacturing.
When you place your order with Southern Gear, you can rest
assured that experienced engineers and machinists are creating
your part, at our facility, under our quality control, and with our
outstanding customer service.
Can your current gear manufacturer make these same guarantees?

Our machinists and engineers have an average of

25 years experience in gear manufacturing.
Our employees have been with our company an
average of 13 years.
We have more the 50 gear cutting machines alone.
We outsource only plating, heat treating and NDT.
We have been manufacturing precision gears for
58 years.
We have invested close to one million dollars in
equipment each year for the past five years.

305-691-6300
800-248-5152
www.southerngear.net
sales@southerngear.net

14

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SouthernGearFeb2015GearSolutionsad.indd 1

1/15/15 1:31:06 PM

November U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $156.9 million,

according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT The
Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by
companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR)
collaboration, was down 18.9% from Octobers total and up 0.4%
from November 2013.
These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals
actually reported by the companies participating in the CTMR program. The totals here represent about 80 percent of the U.S. market
for cutting tools.
Although this month registered the lowest volume of cutting tool
shipments weve seen since 2013, this 18.9% decrease is in part due
to the record breaking sales we had in October, said Brad Lawton,
chairman of AMTs Cutting Tool Product Group. Year-to-date shipments are on par with 2013. As manufacturers backlogs continue to
grow, we expect shipments to rebound before the end of the year.
The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT
and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development,
production and distribution of cutting tool technology and products.
It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers consumption
of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process the cutting
tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both
upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true
measure of actual production levels.
Historical data for the Cutting Tool Market Report is available dating back to January 2012. This collaboration of AMT and USCTI is
the first step in the two associations working together to promote and
support U.S.-based manufacturers of cutting tool technology.
AMT The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its
membersthose who design, build, sell, and service the continuously
evolving technology that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Founded
in 1902 and based in Virginia, the association specializes in providing
targeted business assistance, extensive global support, and business
intelligence systems and analysis. AMT is the voice that communicates
the importance of policies and programs that encourage research and
innovation, and the development of educational initiatives to create tomorrows Smartforce. AMT owns and manages IMTS The
International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is the premier
manufacturing technology event in North America. The USMTO
report is compiled by AMT and all data in the report is based on
the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the
USMTO program.
The United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) was formed
in 1988 and resulted from a merger of the two national associations
representing the cutting tool manufacturing industry.USCTI works
to represent, promote, and expand the U.S. cutting tool industry and
to promote the benefits of buying American-made cutting tools manufactured by its members. The Institute recently expanded its by-laws
to include any North American manufacturer and/or remanufacturer

of cutting tools, as well as post-fabrication

tool surface treatment providers. Members,
which number over 80, belong to seven
product divisions: Carbide Tooling, Drill &
Reamer, Milling Cutter, PCD & PCBN, Tap
& Die, Tool Holder and All Other Tooling.
A wide range of activities includes a comprehensive statistics program, human resources
surveys and forums, development of product
specifications and standards, and semi-annual
meetings to share ideas and receive information on key industry trends.

UTC Aerospace Systems currently has

spare parts contracts with the DLA that
span all UTC Aerospace Systems segments,
including actuation and propeller, nacelle, air
management, electric, ejection seats, sensing,
landing gear, engine, sensors, wheels, and
brakes.
UTC Aerospace Systems designs,
manufactures and services integrated sys-

tems and components for the aerospace

and defense industries. UTC Aerospace
Systems supports a global customer base
with significant worldwide manufacturing
and customer service facilities.
UTC, based inHartford, Connecticut,
provides high technology products and
services to the building and aerospace
industries.

UTC Aerospace Systems

Recognized as Gold Supplier by
the Defense Logistics Agency

_____________________
www.utc.com

_____________________
United Technologies Corp.s Aerospace
Systems has been recognized as a Gold Tier
supplier for the Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA) as part of the Department of Defenses
Superior Supplier Incentive Program (SSIP).
The Gold Tier includes the DLAs highest
performing suppliers for 2013-2014 measured in areas such as cost, schedule, performance, quality, and business relations.
UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United
Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
The DLA evaluated 153 of its suppliers as
part of the SSIP. Forty suppliers were selected
as superior suppliers, of which only 15 were
identified in the highest tier as Gold suppliers. Suppliers were selected based on the following criteria: performance against current
contracts with the DLA, ratings in the federal
Contractors Performance Reporting System
(CPARS), and established partnerships with
the DLA that focus on cost-saving initiatives.
UTC Aerospace Systems is laserfocused on meeting our customers
requirements, so we are delighted that the
Defense Logistics Agency sees us as a supplier performing at the highest levels, said
Vice President of UTC Aerospace Systems
Customer Service Raffaele Virgili. We
have put a tremendous amount of effort
into building our relationship with the
DLA, including dedicated, on-site support and delivering on our cost, quality
and performance commitments. This recognition acknowledges those efforts and
the great work and commitment of our
employees.
FEBRUARY 2015

15

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American
Gear Manufacturers
Association

Justin Sikorski
AGMA Staff Engineer

AGMA Technical Committees

Complete Active 2014
By Justin Sikorski, AGMA Staff Engineer
Over the course of the past year, AGMA
technical committees have been hard at
work producing the standards and information sheets that help the gear industry
operate effectively and efficiently. In 2014,
AGMA published new revisions of three
standards, a brand new information sheet,
and adopted an ISO standard. The development of these documents would not
have been possible without the dedicated
support and expertise that the AGMA
membership provides to the association.
The staff of the AGMA Technical Division
thanks each individual, and their companies, for all of this hard work.
AGMA has always relied on the dedicated support and expertise of our membership to develop the technical standards
and information sheets that continually
move the gear industry forward. However,
the benefits of participation on a technical committee are not only enjoyed by the
readers of the published documents. The
members of AGMA technical committees
are the authors of the standards that the
gear industry follows. Technical committee members, and their companies, find
this opportunity very beneficial professionally and intellectually. Each member of a
technical committee has the opportunity to
interact with, and learn from, their counterparts from all around the gear industry,
as well as, gain an intimate understanding

of the information contained within the

document being developed. The majority of technical committee meetings take
place via web conferences allowing participants to attend the meetings without
significant disruptions to their day-to-day
responsibilities.
The following is a list of documents that
AGMA technical committees published in
2014:
ANSI/AGMA 1010-F14, Appearance of
Gear Teeth - Terminology of Wear and
Failure;
ANSI/AGMA 6011-J14, Specification
for High Speed Helical Gear Units;

ANSI/AGMA 2011-B14, Cylindrical
Wormgearing Tolerance and Inspection
Methods;
ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328-1-B14, Cylindrical Gears ISO System of Flank Tolerance Classification - Part 1: Definitions
and Allowable Values of Deviations Relevant to Flanks of Gear Teeth;
AGMA 919-1-A14, Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics of Gear Units and
Open Gears: Part 1 Basics.
In addition to the standards and information sheets, AGMA has also released new
versions of two of its most popular software offerings, Gear Rating Suite v. 3.1
and Bevel Gear Rating Suite v. 1.3. The
new versions of the software include up-

dates to the latest applicable standards as

well as fixes of several bugs found in previous versions.
Looking forward to 2015, there are several
exciting projects that are going to get underway. The first is a revision of AGMA 925A03, Effect of Lubrication on Gear Surface
Distress. The current version AGMA 925
provides methods for calculating elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) film thickness
and contact temperature. It also provides
methods for predicting the probability of unwanted surface distresses such as wear and
scuffing. As part of the revision, the committee is planning to update these methods and
will attempt to develop a method for predicting the probability of micropitting.
Another project that will be getting underway in the new year is the second part
of AGMA 919. Part two of AGMA 919 will
look at the application of diagnostic tools
and instrumentation to analyze vibration,
acoustics, motor current signature, and lubrication. The information sheet will also
discuss the methods for condition monitoring, performing diagnostics, monitoring temperature, establishing baseline data for trend
analysis, and non-destructive testing of inservice gear units and open gearing.
The Metallurgy and Materials Committee will also be starting a revision of AGMA
923-B05, Metallurgical Specifications for
Steel Gearing. This document identiFEBRUARY 2015

17

fies metallurgical quality characteristics

which are important to the performance
of steel gearing, and performance levels
of gearing by heat treatment method and
grade number. For each heat treatment
method and AGMA grade number, acceptance criteria are given for the various

metallurgical characteristics identified

in this document. With this revision, the
committee is looking to ensure the documents continued compatibility with the
latest industry practices.
A full listing of AGMA technical committees, including a scope of their activi-

ties, can be found in the Technical Committees section of the AGMA website, www.
agma.org. For additional information about
AGMA technical committees, standards,
and information sheets, or about AGMA
software, please contact the AGMA Technical Division at tech@agma.org.

Annual Meeting Speakers Provide

Business Intelligence
This years Annual Meeting will address the key issues facing manufacturing and offer opportunities to network, make
memories, forge relationships, and build on future partnerships. We look forward to welcoming you to Napa Valley
one of the most picturesque areas of the world. Join us for the 2015 AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting at The Meritage Hotel
and Spa, April 29 - May 1, 2015.
The general sessions at the 2015 AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting feature speakers who will address current issues of
importance for our industries. The speakers will provide expertise and inspiration.
Complete Champion Leadership:
How Fast Can You Get Fast?
Derek Daly, international racing champion,
best-selling author, and televisions face of motor sports

raised in Dublin, Ireland, Dalys career path was set

at the age of 12 when he attended his first auto race.
Daly has shared these timeless speed-related business principles with a diverse group of companies in
the private sector and the U.S. government. They have
all shared in Dalys complete championship model to
motivate, inspire and enlighten their teams.

Rethink, and Thrive

Michael Rogers, author and futurist-in-residence,
The New York Times

with partners and how we manage our employees.

Virtual organization, global connectivity, smart
objects, cloud-based intelligence all will shape
the rest of this decade. And the next generation
of workers will bring even more digital skills and
demands. What will the work and production environment of 2020 look like? What steps should we
take now to make sure our businesses move in the
right direction?
Rogers is a best-selling author, technology pioneer and futurist. He regularly speaks to audiences
worldwide at Fortune 500 companies about implementing the future in useful ways. Rogers earned
his degree in physics and worked in the technology
field before branching off as a futurist.

Looking at the Reshoring Initiative

Harry Moser, President, The Reshoring Initiative

If the speed of doing business will continue to increase

in the next 10 years, ask yourself, how fast can we get
fast? Daly will demonstrate that fast is having the
right people in the right places doing the right things,
but more importantly, it is removing the speed bumps
that slow them down.
Daly, and Irish driving legend, is the epitome of the
complete champion. From the victory circle to the
announcers desk, the Hall of Fame Race Car Driver
and network television anchor has spent nearly three
decades as the face of the motorsport world. Born and

18

gearsolutions.com

More and more of how we work is moving into the

virtual world our work process, how we collaborate

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Whether youre looking for technical education, networking opportunities, or a way for your voice to be heard in the standards process,
AGMA has something to offer you. If you would like more information on any of the following events visit
www.agma.org or send email to events@agma.org.
**Events are open to AGMA members only. Not a member? Send e-mail to membership@agma.org.

Epicyclic Enclosed Drives Committee Meeting February 3, 2015 WebEx

FEBRUARY

Lubrication Committee Meeting February 5, 2015 WebEx

Aerospace Committee Meeting February 9-10, 2015 Reno, NV
Metallurgy & Materials Committee Meeting February 17, 2015 WebEx
Gear Materials: Selection, Metallurgy, Heat Treatment, and Quality Control February 18-20, 2015 Clearwater Beach, FL
Wind Turbine Committee Meeting February 19-20, 2015 Denver, CO
Worm gearing Committee Meeting February 24, 2015 WebEx

Powder Metallurgy Committee Meeting March 3, 2015 WebEx

MARCH

Helical Gear Rating Committee Meeting March 10-11, 2015 Chicago, IL

Metallurgy & Materials Committee Meeting March 12-13, 2015 Chicago, IL
Cutting Tools Committee Meeting March 16-17, 2015 Charleston, SC
Vehicle Gearing Committee Meeting March 24-25, 2015
Gearbox CSI: Forensic Analysis of Gear & Bearing Failures March 24-26, 2015 WebEx
Vehicle Gearing Committee Meeting March 31, 2015 WebEx

The increasing advantages of producing in America

for the North American market are driving companies to reevaluate offshoring. A high percentage of
the jobs reshored are in gear and bearing intense
mechanical product industries such as appliances,
machinery and automotive components. During this
session, you will be exposed to the statistics regarding the current trends. Learn the what, where, and
the why of reshoring and how it can be applied to
your company. Harry will provide tools for comparing
the economics of offshoring to reshoring.
Harry is in a unique position to provide advice
on this subject. Prior to starting the Reshoring
Initiative, he worked for GF AgieCharmilles, starting as President in 1985 and retiring in 2010 as
Chairman Emeritus. He now devotes his time fully
to the Reshoring Initiative, whose goal is to bring
manufacturing jobs back to the United States.

Economic and Market Outlook

Getting Old or Starting Fresh?
James P. Meil, Principal, Industry Analysis, ACT Research

By the summer of 2015, the economic recovery and

expansion will be six years old. However, its slow
pace leads some observers to think that even now,
we are still in a lingering recession. The statistics
show that it has been the slowest, least dynamic
economic rebound of the post-1945 experience. Jim
Meil returns to answer the most important question - will 2015 and 2016 bring a change, or more
of the same?
Returning AGMA/ABMA Annual Meeting attendees
will remember Meils previous presentations he gave
as the Chief Economist from Eaton Corporation. After
retiring from Eaton, Jim joined ACT Research in 2014
and now will continue to share his views on the U.S.
economy. He will add insights to the domestic and
international markets and discuss how the energy
environment and exchange rates will affect the key
machinery market outlook overall.

FEBRUARY 2015

19

AGMA OFFERS EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL LEVELS OF EMPLOYEES

Whether you are new to the gear industry, or are a veteran gear engineer, AGMA offers a variety of programs
that can help you. Gain an edge over the competition
this year with new opportunities from AGMA.
These are only a few of the many choices available
to you this year. To learn more about each one, visit
AGMAs website.

Gearbox CSI: Forensic Analysis of

Gear & Bearing Failures

March 24-26, 2015 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm daily

Concordville, PA
This seminar teaches the forensic analysis of failed
gearboxes. Learn about the limitation and capabilities
of rolling element bearings and the gears that they
support so you can properly apply the best gearbearing combination to any gearbox, whether simple
or complex. Following this seminar, participants will
be able to

Apply their understanding of forensic analysis of

gearbox failures in future gearbox designs
Discuss bearing and gear types
Explain how bearing selection is influenced by gear
type and loading
Select appropriate bearing types and configurations
as influenced by gear type and loading

E xplain how to optimize bearing and gear
combinations
Identify seven material and manufacturing related
defects
Complete information is available on the AGMA website.

Basic Training for Gear Manufacturing

April 13-17, 2015 | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm daily
Daley College, Chicago, IL

Students learn the fundamentals of gear manufacturing

in this classroom and hands-on course. In the classroom this course offers training in gearing and nomen-

American
Gear Manufacturers
Association

clature, principles of inspection, gear manufacturing

methods, and hobbing and shaping. In the hands-on
gear lab, using manual machines, students can see the
interaction between the cutting tool and the workpiece.
They understand the process and the physics of making
a gear and can apply this knowledge in working with
CNC equipment commonly in use.
Following this seminar, participants will be able to
Demonstrate understanding of the evolution, history,
and function of gears
Show and describe 14 gear tooth features

Describe six typical gear characteristics that are
measured
Demonstrate knowledge of gauging vs. measurement
Utilize and describe a variety of analysis methods
Troubleshoot many of their own problems, because
they fully understand the process
Complete information is available on the AGMA website.

1001 N. Fairfax Street | Suite 500 Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 684-0211 |

www.agma.org

STAFF

John Cross: President, ASI Technologies

Lou Ertel: Chairman

Overton Chicago Gear Corporation

Kenneth J. Flowers: Owner and Vice President, Machine Tool Builders, Inc.

Matt Mondek: Chairman Emeritus

Bill Gornicki: Vice President Sales & Marketing, ALDHolcroft Vacuum Technologies Co., Inc.

President/CEO, Reliance Gear Corporation

Dean Burrows: Treasurer

President,Nixon Gear

John Strickland, Jr.: Chairman, BMEC

Fairfield Manufacturing Co.

Buzz Maiuri: Chairman, TDEC

Senior Product Manager, The Gleason Works

Joe T. Franklin, Jr.: President

Amir Aboutaleb: Vice President , Technical Division
Jill Johnson: Director, Member Services

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AGMA LEADERSHIP

John E. Grazia: President, GearTec Inc.

Sulaiman Jamal: Managing Director, Bevel Gears India
Steve Janke: President, Brelie Gear Company, Inc.
Jan Klingelnberg: CEO/CFO, Klingelnberg
Justin McCarthy: Vice President , Sales, Scot Forge Company
Mark Michaud: President, REM Surface Engineering
Brian L. Schultz: President, Great Lakes Industry, Inc.
Dylan Smith: President, VanGear
Wendy Young: President, Forest City Gear Company

General requests: webmaster@agma.org | Membership questions: membership@agma.org | Gear Expo information: gearexpo@agma.org
Technical/Standards information: tech@agma.org | AGMA Foundation: foundation@agma.org
20

gearsolutions.com

Make Your Atmosphere Furnace Work for You:

of the
Trade

for Carburizing and

Quenching

Throughout the manufacturing process, heat

treatment is consistently viewed as a critical step
for adding value to the parts produced. A part
expensively manufactured by melting, hot
rolling or forging, annealing, rough machining,
teeth cutting and grinding is essentially useless
and of little to no value without heat
treatment. In addition, without reliable and
repeatable heat treatment, it is impossible to
achieve competitive overall manufacturing
costs.

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per part if all further post-treatment process
steps inherent with, or caused by, heat
treatment such as cleaning, blasting,
straightening and/or grinding are taken into
account. Therefore, a noticeable reduction of
the manufacturing costs is only possible by
minimizing the distortion of parts. For this, all
the influencing parameters like steel melting,
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Read the full technical article

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MATERIALS
MATTER

Fred Eberle

Technical Engineer
Hi-Lex Automotive Center

When Master Gears are designed properly, certain errors can be identified, and, with more
discrimination, that type of error can be mapped out to indicate specific performance issues
within the application itself.
USING MASTER GEARS

In the design of generated and molded gears,

it is common to specify a total composite error
(TCE) tolerance for in-process inspection,
especially for high volume production. TCE
is defined as variation in center distance
when rolled in tight mesh with a highly
accurate master gear on a floating spring
arbor. Highly accurate means that the
errors in the master gear are negligible in
comparative magnitude to the test gear.
The purpose of roll testing is to assess
attributes of gear quality in a production
gear against a highly accurate master gage.
The measurement itself is reflected back as
composite error in the production or work
gear. Even though composite error is an
accumulation of diverse errors, the results can
give indications as to whether the production
gear is consistent with design intent. In some
cases, the specific errors can be mapped to
specific application performance issues.
MASTER GEAR DESIGN QUESTIONS


For helical masters, given the total
operating profile length and its location in
degrees of roll: how is the number of teeth
determined for the master gear?
What is the effect of a helical overlap ratio
on composite measurement?
For helical masters, what is the right face
width specification of the master relative to
the production gear?
For high-contact gears, where mating mesh
contact ratio of the production gear with
the master is greater than 2.0, how do you
insure that the master will not span more
than one tooth and will give a true double
flank composite reading?

Can a Gage R&R be done on double flank

composite inspection equipment?

master gear with a different normal module

and normal pressure angle than the test
gear if the following equation is satisfied:

MASTER GEAR DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Master gears used in double flank composite

measurements must meet the following
design criteria in order to mesh properly
with a test gear:
The tip of the master gear must not contact
the test gear below the form diameter of
the test gear. This applies to initial contact
and to any type of secondary contact in the
fillet zone due to inadequate clearance.
The tip of the test gear must not contact
the master gear below the form diameter
of the master gear. This applies to initial
contact and to any type of secondary
contact in the fillet zone due to inadequate
clearance.
The minimum contact ratio of the double
flank test must not be less than 1.0 when
taking into account the maximum tooth
thickness, minimum outside diameter,
maximum root diameter, and maximum
tip radius of the test gear. If the contact
ratio drops below 1.0, then the meshing
action of the gears on the test will generate
an immediate jump in the double flank
result for every tooth meshing cycle. This
happens when the spring of the slide on
the composite tester compensates for the
loss of mesh force by abruptly pushing the
gears together.
The master gear and the test gear must
have the same normal base pitch. In most
cases, this is when the normal module
and normal pressure angle match between
the master and the test gear. However,
mathematically, it is possible to mesh a

where:
mnw is the normal module of the test gear, mm;
mn3 is the normal module of the master gear, mm;
anw is the normal pressure angle of the test
gear, degrees or radians;
an3 is the normal pressure angle of the master
gear, degrees or radians.
This may be useful in some special
circumstances depending on product design.
For parallel axis helical gear double flank
arrangements, the master gear must have
an equal helix angle to the test gear.
However, it must be of opposite hand.
In addition, the following recommendations
for good master gear practice may also be
useful.
The maximum contact ratio of the double
flank test should be less than 2.0 when
taking into account minimum tooth
thickness, maximum outside diameter,
minimum root diameter, and minimum
tip radius of the test gear. High contact
ratios on the double flank tester promote
more overlapping of the mesh and may
hide errors in the test gear than may
otherwise exist
Due to their face widths, helical gears may
have an overall contact ratio greater than 2.0
when run against a master gear covering its full
face width. In such cases, a decision should be
made to either accept the possible smoothing
out of errors that would result with this high

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Fred Eberle is a technical specialist in the development of gearing, drive motors, and power closure devices in the
automotive industry. He currently serves on the AGMA Plastic and PM Gearing Committees. Eberle has authored several papers on gearing,
measurement system analysis and process statistics. He can be reached at Fred_Eberle@hci.Hi-Lex.com.
The author would like give special thanks to Ernie Reiter (Web Gear Services) for his expertise and collaboration on master gear design and
double flank composite testing.

22

gearsolutions.com

Figure 3: Tight Mesh

Figure 1: A double flank composite tester in tight mesh.

The decision on what master design to use may be based on the

cost and availability of existing or commercially available master
gears, or it may be based on measuring a test gear to at least its
start of active profile location in the actual application.
Every combination of master gear and test gear should be
checked at all tolerance levels to make sure the mesh meets the
criteria described here. Just because an off the shelf master gear
is commercially available does not mean it will mesh properly
with a specific test gear.
I n order to machine and produce high quality master gears by
grinding, the bore on the master would need to be sufficiently
large enough for a stable mandrel to hold the master gear
during machining. Ground master gears with bores less than
6 mm should be carefully considered for the effect on master
gear precision from a small diameter machining mandrel.
Figure 2: A double flank inspection report. (courtsey web gear services)

ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS

contact ratio or to possibly reduce the face width of the master gear
and measure the helical gear in different contact zones along the test
gears axis while maintaining an overall contact ratio of less than 2.0.

Considerations of the number of teeth in a master gear are

determined by the tight mesh analysis of the master and work
gear it is to be rolled with. An evaluation of profile contact
between the master and work gear from the start to the end
of the active profile is the first priority in order to error check
the entire active flank. Secondly, total profile contact ratio and
overlap in helical gears is a concern. The greater the contact
ratio, the greater the amalgamation of error is blended, mixed, or
fused into the composite result. The best design will optimally
balance these considerations. Tight mesh contact ratios greater
than 2.0 tend to hide errors that could be seen with lower
contact ratios.
At a higher angle, helical gears overlap ratio can be a concern.
In order to reduce the total contact ratio (and this is true for
any spur or helical), a thinner master can be made at or the
face with of the work gear. However, in order to check the entire
work gear face, the master must be rolled at more than one level
to check error across the entire face width.
Gage R&Rs of double flank composite testing is very difficult
due to the fact that composite rolling is a dynamic process rather
than a static process. A Gage R&R done with double flank
composite test process is rarely successful, and other methods
are required to validate the accuracy and consistency of the
measurement equipment.

In the case of when crossed axis helical double flank meshes
where the driver is a worm, a worm can also be considered for
the master gear. This may provide an advantage for the test
gear in that only the functional zone is measured and other
tooth errors that will not even be seen in the actual product
mesh will be ignored. In some cases, a narrow face width
helical gear master may provide a similar result in a parallel axis
arrangement.
In applications where a worm master is used, it may be necessary
to add lubrication to the double flank mesh to assist sliding action
in the mesh without causing reading errors.
The extent of the master gears reach (i.e., the master gears outside
diameter) into the test gear should be carefully chosen. Although the
mesh under test must have a minimum contact ratio of 1.0 and a
maximum contact ratio of less than 2.0, there must also be no contact
of the master beyond the form diameter of the test gear. Therefore,
there may be a wide range of choices in between those requirements
when establishing the outside diameter of the master gear.

FEBRUARY 2015

23

Senkfor
TOOTH David
President
TIPS

Top Gun Consulting

In an age where putting information out first seems to be valued over insuring that
information is correct, its important to take the time to execute a quality product or
service both for the customers benefit and your own.
AS A FORMER OWNER OF A MID-SIZED GEAR MANUFACTURING FACILITY, I understand the

pressures that owners and their staffs endure to satisfy their customers. Im also a practical guy who has
been involved with manufacturing for over 30 years. As part of my current manufacturing consulting practice, I see many businesses struggle with the various challenges that arise daily.
One of latest challenges is that of time. With the advent of email and portable communication
devices, time, as they say, is of the essence. These advances allow almost instant delivery of messages,
orders, and, as I call it, the request for quote.
The RFQ is the first step in the order process that engages your manufacturing brilliance to
the needs of your customer. The main problem is that the customers that we desire are in a hurry.
Chances are that the parts youve been asked to quote were put into their system late, held up by
scheduling issues, or the customer is just shopping the parts around. Whatever the reason, the
response is requested to be delivered on a rush basis. Sound familiar?
Since the customer is always right, and what they want is paramount to our success, many companies will jump through any imaginable hoop to satisfy their customers. What these same companies
forget is that they are not in business to satisfy customers. They are in business to make money. By
rushing around like the proverbial chicken with its head cutoff, they guarantee lower profits and less
satisfaction for the most important entitythemselves.
Customer satisfaction is a means to an end, and before you throw this magazine against the wall,
I believe that the companies who satisfy their customers are, generally, more successful. However, in
the rush to quote, many issues can be overlooked and cost you money.
So, what am I referring to? Well, I have to admit that Im not a good guesser of prices for outside
services. I also know that if you dont know what your costs are, you cannot quote accurately or
make intelligent business decisions. Guessing at what a heat-treater will charge you or what the
steel cost will be for a job are two common areas where people make assumptions. What about
the machine cycle times? In gear cutting, there are many programs that you can use that are fairly
accurate and allow a great degree of customization to nail down cutting times. Turning, milling, and
grinding are a bit more difficult but can be handled by getting outside costs for operations.
But theres that issue of time hanging over our heads that forces people to take shortcuts. These
shortcuts shortchange your profit margins. You must take time and make time to completely evaluate and insure that what you quote is what you can and will make on the job.
However, there are other profit bleeds in this process. In our haste to make it to the quote finish
line, we may not take the time to fully understand what is on the blueprint or purchase order. For
instance, I recently looked at a print that called for sand blasting of specified areas. Pretty simple,
right? Wrong. Turns out its not sand blasting at all. The customer actually wanted a specific brand
and size of glass bead used at a specific pressure for a specific blasting time. Also, it is not a typical
size or type of glass bead that many manufacturers use in their everyday blast cabinets. Youd have
to buy this special glass bead, change out your regular media, and blast away. Did I forget to tell
you about the masking requirement as well?
How was this all found out? Someone took the time to the customer a question. Do you think
youll look stupid or show that you dont know how to make parts? Think again. The only certain

thing is that the parts will not be made correctly and will not satisfy your customer.
And, most importantly, you will not make
money. As the saying goes, if you dont
take the time to make it right the first time,
youll always find the time the second time
around.
These questions can be asked during quoting or order processing after you get the order.
Obviously, the best time would be before
you quote so you can include these hidden
costs in the quote. But theres that time thing
again, and the guessing and ignoring of seemingly harmless specifications comes into play.
Does your customer have internal or cite
industry standards on their prints? Missing
or impossible-to-make dimensions? Ignore
them at your own risk. You may even discover
that the purchasing agent is happy to hear
from you. It also gives you an opportunity to
interact with them and their engineers.
Clearly, it takes time to clear up these
issues, but, in the end, youll end up making
quality parts that the customer will gladly
pay for the first time around. Over time,
youll build a relationship with the customer
and become a trusted vendor. By not quoting certain jobs due to tight quote cutoff
dates, you will make more money and your
satisfaction will be higher than ever. You
need to question the value of customers
who do not buy into this type of process.
Dealing with vendors who dont understand
their parts is a direct route to supply chain
disasters.
Time is of the essence, but your time and
money need to be at the forefront of your
mind to effectively manage your business.
Remember, the only person who really cares
about your business is you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: David Senkfor is the president of TopGun Consulting, a manufacturing consultancy with a focus on helping companies improve their practices
and processes to increase the profitability and satisfaction of the owners of those companies. David has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, more
specifically in the gear industry. Using his experience, David is able to quickly assess difficulties and recommend simple, yet effective, solutions to those issues. For
more information, contact David Senkfor at david@topgunconsulting.net or (602) 510-5998, or visit Top Guns website at www.topgunconsulting.com.

24

gearsolutions.com

gleason gms inspection systems...

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HOT

SEAT

Jack Titus

Director of Process and Developmental Engineering

AFC-Holcroft

Vacuum pumps and nitrogen purge can equally achieve low ppm oxygen levels. However,
pumps are slow to remove water vapor while an inert gas purge is time consuming.
VACUUM FURNACES rely on the lack of an
atmosphere to protect heat-treated parts from
surface oxidation or decarburization. The
quality of the atmosphere required for a given
process is defined by the quantity of residuals
remaining after evacuation. Therefore, the
ultimate pressure determines the composition
of gasses (lower pressure produces fewer molecules of oxygen, nitrogen, and constituents
such as CO2, argon, and several trace elements). The one variable is water vapor. Since
most high-temperature vacuum furnaces are
constructed with a water jacket called a cold
wall, they have a separate thin inner insulated
hot zone as opposed to insulation applied
directly to the furnace case or a hot-wall style.
Typically, a vacuum furnaces hot zone or
inner chamber will have only two or three
inches (50 to 75 mm) of insulation wherein
vacuum heat loss is reduced, thereby enabling
a shorter pump down time due to less outgassing. Nitrogen and oxygen can be evacuated without concern. However, water vapor
within the vessel exists in two formsas a gas
or vapor and as a condensed liquid adhering
to the inner side of the water jacket. On a
humid day, huge quantities of water can reside
on the water jacket via adsorption as well as
being absorbed into the microscopic porous
surface layers of the mill scale on the steel
wall. This phenomenon can be somewhat
mitigated by painting the inner wall with
specific materials designed for such a purpose.
Although the absorbed water is reduced, the
adsorbed surface layer will always be present
when the cooling water temperature drops
below the dew point of the ambient air.
Vacuum pumps are notoriously deficient in
removing water quickly. When initial evacuation begins, the sudden reduction in pressure

causes the release of heat via evaporation and

reduces the temperature of the surface water
and surrounding environment, in some cases,
to the point of creating a thin layer of ice.
Once it is formed, this layer is difficult to
remove until the steel wall heats up or until
the pressure drops low enough to enable the
heating system.
In many ways, the internal materials of
construction used in vacuum furnaces dictate
the pressure required for a given process. For
example, a moly lined (radiation shields) insulation with moly heating elements will require
lower pressures, sub-10 microns (.0133 millibar) to remove enough oxygen and water
vapor to eliminate oxidation in steel (iron). If
the same vacuum furnace has graphite insulation and graphite heating elements a pressure
of 100 microns (.133 millibar) or higher
would suffice because graphite will act as an
oxygen getter reacting with oxygen at elevated temperature and is evacuated from the
vessel. When very oxidation sensitive materials, such as titanium or aluminum, are heat
treated, much lower pressures are required.
Generally, three stiles of vacuum pumps are
required to achieve the selected pressure.
The basic first-stage vacuum pump can
be a piston type or a rotary vane. These are
used when the vessel is smaller and or when
the pressure required is between 100 and 500
microns (0.133 and .66 millibar).
A second stage is a roots-type booster
blower that usually has a pumping speed five
to 10 times that of the first stage. These are
employed when a much faster pump down is
required or when pressures below 50 microns,
but no less than five microns, are needed.
The third stage when pressures below one
to five microns are required is called a dif-

fusion pump. For decades, diffusion pumps

employed distilled fossil fuel oils. Today, fossil
oils have been replaced by nonflammable silicone based oils. Simply, the oil in the absence
of air removed by the first and second stage
pumps is boiled creating a vapor that is directed at high velocity through downforce jets
trapping gas molecules that are subsequently
evacuated from the system. Although these
are called oil diffusion pumps, they dont
actually pump the molecules. Since the first
and second stage pumps reduce the number
of molecules to trace quantities (the mean
free path), the distance a molecule travels
to collide with another molecule is so long
that only by accident do gas molecules find
their way into the inlet of the diffusion
pump. Thus, the inlet of diffusion pumps
must be very large and positioned as close
to the internal volume of the vacuum vessel
as possible.
To achieve an inert atmosphere equivalent to that produced by vacuum pumps,
atmosphere heat-treat furnaces require a
generated atmosphere of nitrogen or argon.
Liquid nitrogen at its source will usually have
oxygen levels of <10 ppm. A vacuum level of
100 microns (0.133 mbar) will reduce the
oxygen level to 27 ppm. To achieve 27-ppm
oxygen in an atmosphere system, approximately nine (9) volume changes of nitrogen
are required. Unlike vacuum pumps water
vapor is removed rather quickly due to the
extremely dry -70F (-56C) dew point of
liquid nitrogen. The majority of atmosphere
furnaces have warm wall construction where
the internal/external wall will typically run
between 100F to 150F (38C to 66C) at
elevated temperatures, eliminating the formation of water altogether.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hot Seat columnist Jack Titus has an additional column in Thermal Processing for Gear Solutions in which he discusses
scheduled maintenance of furnaces, distortion control, and low-pressure carburizing. Jack Titus can be reached at (248) 668-4040 or
jtitus@afc-holcroft.com. More information can be found online at www.afc-holcroft.com or www.ald-holcroft.com.

26

gearsolutions.com

Anna Claire Conrad

Associate Editor
Gear Solutions Magazine

TREND

TALK S

Now that weve kicked off 2015, theres one thing on everyones mindsmaking more money
this year than what was made in 2014. In the gear manufacturing industry, theres a sure fire
way to ensure that will happen increasing sales.
IN ANY BUSINESS where a product is made
available for consumers, that companys livelihood, longevity, and wellbeing all come down
to one thingsuccessful sales.
And no matter how much it pangs me to
say it, money does make the world go round.
I consider myself a romantic of sorts. I love
to travel and make connections with people
all over the world. I love to read, write, and
cook. I look forward to both exciting new
adventures and lazy days spent at home with
my fianc and our dog. And on any given
sunny day, Id much rather spend my day
outdoors than cramped in an office cubicle.
Luckily, Im able to do most of those things
when I please, but the only way Im able to
enjoy a few of my favorite things is by going
to work every week day and doing my best to
put out the best quality product I can.
The same goes for a companys sales department.
At the core of any successful business is a
strong sales department, and at the heart of
any strong sales department is a collection of
salespeople who can push what theyre trying
to sell. In an industry as niched and tight-knit
as ours, sales are especially important, whether
its the sale of machines, services, tooling
equipment, or even a single gear.
There are several ways that salespeople go
about pushing their product. Some practices
have been around for decades, such as advertisements, emails and email blasts, regular snail
mail, and telemarketing. Others may even take
a page out of the boy scouts book of business
by going door to door to meet their quota.
And, then, there are some methods that
have only come about over the past 10 years
or so, namely utilizing social media to promote a business. This can get tricky, though,

because you dont want to flood current or

potential customers Facebook, LinkedIn,
Pinterest, or Twitter feeds with a lot of
white noise, aka irrelevant or annoying
information. Even with the safety blanket
of a computer screen, you have to maintain
a personal relationship with the people on
the other side of the World Wide Web. As
sales people know, the fastest way to kill a
potential sale is to come across as overbearing, even online.
Others may rely on their products and
research to speak for themselves at events
such as the annual Gear Expo, where youll
be able to witness some of the new products
United Tool Supply Company is debuting
in the later part of 2015, or the annual Fall
Technical Meeting hosted by the AGMA,
where scholars come together to share their
knowledge of the gear industry.
Then, there are some manufacturers
who have been around for so long that
their reputation for quality products and
customer service do the selling for them.

Companies such as these can keep customers

for generations if their business is handled
appropriately. Two prime examples of successful family businesses can be found in our
Q&A with Marvin Nicholson of Pentagear
Products LLC, where Nicholson describes
the history of his veteran-owned family
company and how it got to where it is today,
and in our company profile on United Tool,
where we discuss the company Rusty Young
built and the legacy he left behind.
Ultimately, the best way to boost your
sales revenue is to provide a quality product.
Thats how United Tool made a name for
themselves with the model 8600 Unite-AMatic, which, even after 42 years, is still
their most popular product. You can learn
more about how United Tool made a name
for itself in this industry by reading our
company profile and learning about the
legacy Rusty Young left behind.
Just remember these suggestions on how
to improve your sales going into this new
year, and good luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Contact Anna Claire, associate editor, Gear Solutions at editor@gearsolutions.com or at (205) 380-1573 ext. 205.

FEBRUARY 2015

27

COMPANY
PROFILE

United Tool Supply

Company
28

gearsolutions.com

It has been one year since United Tool Supply Companys founder and president Rusty Young passed
away, and his son, Jeff Young has since taken over the family business. A lot has changed throughout the
past year, and although the family and company have been faced with great adversity, both overcame
those obstacles and are striving to preserve and build on Rustys legacy within this industry.
By Anna Claire Conrad
Rusty Young was a gear head, a
risk taker and a successful entrepreneur. Sure, he didnt fall in love with
gears right away, but after a couple
failed business endeavorsincluding
one that had him driving down to
Florida and back to Ohio to deliver
fresh seafood and another involving
selling those quarter-operated pool
tables you occasionally see in bars
he found his calling. In 1973, he and
his wife, Karen, founded United
Tool Supply Company in Cincinnati, Ohiothe manufacturing capital of the United States at the time.
What started as a small distributor
for Mitutoyos measuring tools would
later f lourish into a thriving business
solely focused on supplying machines
made in-house for the gear manufacturing industry.
Then, according to his son, Jeff,
in the mid-80s, one of United Tools
customers came to Rusty and said
that he needed to figure out a way to
better check gears. Luckily for Rusty,
he knew some bright engineers at the
big-name companies in town from
selling them supplies and measuring
tools. He decided to hire his fellow
gear professionals to come up with
a solution to his problem. The result was the wooden model 8600 of
Rustys iconic Unite-A-Matic, later
forged into an applicable steel model.
In 1986, with his machine on the
forefront of its technology, Rusty began a transformation that would take
the business from a supply company
into a manufacturer, and in doing so,
changed the gear industry forever.
I give my father all of the credit
in the world for developing it, Jeff

said. There was nothing else like it

at the time. It was the first product
out there. What it did was take out
a lot of the variables when it came
to operator inf luence and human
error. The original Unite-A-Matic
was very accurate, repeating within
a couple of microns. It was a game
changer.
With his Unite-A-Matic in tow,
Rusty set off for a gear showthe
best way to showcase his revolutionary productwhere it was a hit.
Since then, the model 8600 has remained a very popular machine, but
as it is with all technology, advancements had to be made.
Ever since the [Unite-A-Matic]
came out, its done exceptionally
well, but some of our customers
came back to us and said, We have
no reason to buy this large machine.

We only make gears up to three

inches., Jeff said. So, we made
another machine that checks up to
three-inch gears called the Unite-AMatic Model 2000. This unit has a
much smaller footprint and a lower
price point. Now, we have several
different models of that original machine that effectively cater to different segments of the market.
Rusty built a strong, healthy business from the ground up, and its reputation for producing quality products is enough to sustain his legacy,
but thats not to say Jeff isnt bringing something new to the table as his
fathers successor.
I have big shoes to fill, Jeff said.
This has been a great business.
[United Tool] has been around now
for 42 years, but to be competitive in
our market, we realize we need to be
FEBRUARY 2015

29

more dynamic. There are always areas

of our business that we are changing,
and aspects were trying to improve.
Jeff s no rookie, either. He grew up
on United Tools shop f loor watching
every move his father made and began
working there when he was 16 and every summer throughout high school

30

gearsolutions.com

and college. He went full-time after

graduating from the University of Colorado in 2004 and took over the role
of running the company last February
after his father passed away at the age
of 69. For Jeff, United Tool isnt just
a family business; it was a part of his
family.

Theres no better way for me to think

that Im making my father proud than
me taking over and growing his business, Jeff said. This company has always been part of my life and to honor
my father, we are working hard to preserve his legacy.
Since Jeff took over the daily operations, hes had one major focusupholding the values of his familys business while meeting the modern needs of
its customers.
My father was great at what he did,
but he was not well-versed in the computer age, Jeff said. Therefore, lots
of things are in the process of changing.
Internally, we have changed the way
that orders are processed by implementing an automated system. We now use a
new process to insure that our customers drawings are drafted correctly and
meet their specifications. We also have a
completely brand new, original website.
There are many ways to improve efficiencies with todays technology. Design, orders, tracking, and sales are just
some of the areas where we are focusing.
The majority of our customers are
still automotive, and we do a fair amount
with agricultural, aerospace, and some
marine-based applications, but I would
like to continue to expand that reach.
We have also conducted more business in foreign markets over the past
10 years, which through actively hiring
sales representatives in those markets,
we plan to continue that trend.
Jeff has also made it his mission to
improve United Tools customer service by improving their documentation
techniques and creating a more efficient
method for how they operate day-today.
We want our customers to know that
were still trying to grow the business,
Jeff said. We may be a 42-year-old
company, but there are still a lot of opportunities for advancement and growth
out there, and it all comes back to customer service. Ive been very focused on
that.
However, among all of these advancements and improvements, Jeff said some
things will remain constant thanks to
his father.

One of the main things that keeps

our customers coming back to us is that
we have a 30-year track record of doing
what we do well, Jeff said. So, even
when companies can go to one of our
competitors, they come to us because
they know what theyre going to get.
That makes us always focus on quality,
which means everything we send out
has to be perfect. I personally check every machine that goes out. Its not like
this is something we only do to make a
living. This is something we do because
we actually enjoy it, and we take a lot of
pride in it.
In addition to improving internal
affairs, Jeff also plans to follow in his
fathers footsteps by bringing advancements and modern innovations to the
place where it all startedthe Gear
Expo.
We have several advancements to
our product that will be on display at
the Gear Expo in October, Jeff said.
Were modernizing our product to
the point that will make us more competitive and will set us apart from other
companies in the industry. With that
being said, there are also new products
that we are working on bringing to the
table. Rusty made a great product that
provided a healthy business, but there
are other opportunities that we are actively pursuing. [The Unite-A-Matic]
hasnt changed much since 1986 because it works. Even if we modernize
it so that it would fall into a different
class, well still keep our standard product available because there are customers out there that like to use a tried and
true Unite-A-Matic. For us to grow the
business, focusing on the needs of our
customers is crucial.
Jeff certainly does have big shoes to
fill, but he has risen to the occasion, all
the while keeping in mind what his father taught him and the legacy Rusty
left behind.
My father just did things differently, Jeff said. At times, I didnt follow
what he was doing or agree with him
about it, but now looking back, I understand why he did things the way he did.
My dad was a little eccentric, and he
was extremely intelligent. In my opin-

ion, he was a mechanical genius. He

created a great product, which lead to
a healthy family business, and that is a
huge achievement.
Jeff and his teams respect for his father and the company he forged are
at the core of his guarantee to propel
United Tool into 2015 with a commit-

ment to customer service, growth, and

new products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, Contact Jeff

Young at (513) 752-6000 and visit United
Tools new website at www.united-tool.com
and also at www.unite-a-matic.com.

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31

Involute Spiral Face Couplings and Gears:

Design Approach and Manufacturing Technique

By Dr. Alexander L. Kapelevich, AKGears, LLC, and Stephen D. Korosec, Koro Industries, Inc.

By presenting spiral face gears with an involute tooth line and an identical tooth
profile in the normal section at any given radius, two applications are made
possible for such face gears.
INTRODUCTION
Face gears typically have a straight
or skewed tooth line and varying
tooth profile in normal cross section
at different radii from major to
minor diameter. These face gears are
engaged with spur or helical involute
pinions at intersecting or crossed axes.
This paper presents spiral face gears
with an involute tooth line and an
identical tooth profile in the normal
section at any radius. There are
two main applications for such face
gears. One of them is an alternative
solution with certain advantages
in performance and fabrication
technology to the straight tooth,
Hirth, or Curvic flange couplings.
Another application is when a face
gear is engaged with an involute
helical pinion or worm at intersecting
or crossed axes.
Potential advantages of spiral
face couplings and gears include
high power transmission density and
highly productive machining of face
spiral gears.
This paper describes gear geometry
analysis, and design technique
of spiral face involute gears with
symmetric and asymmetric tooth
profiles. It also explains a hobbing
method of these gears and tool design
specifics, and then illustrates gear and
tool design with numerical examples.

GEOMETRY OF INVOLUTE
SPIRAL FACE GEARS
Spiral angle at some reference diameter
d > db is:

Figure 1: Face involute spiral gear; db, di, d, and do are base, minor, reference and major diameters,
is spiral angle at reference diameter, m module, a profile (pressure) angle, s tooth thickness at
reference (pitch) line, ha tooth addendum, w whole depth; 1 tooth flank, 2 root fillet

Figure 2: Schematics of left hand spiral face gear (black) hobbing with right hand hob (blue); hob lead
angle, L hob length, dc hob major diameter; section A-A is tangent to base circle db and normal to the
gear tooth line; section B-B is parallel to the hob axis, 1 concave gear tooth flank, 2 convex flank

(1)
Unlike conventional spur or helical
gears that have involute tooth flank
profiles and straight or helical tooth lines,
these spiral face gears have straight tooth

flank profiles in the normal section and

the involute tooth line.
Any tangent to the base cylinder
diameter db is normal to the involute
tooth line section of the spiral face
gear presenting a straight flank gear
rack (see Figure 1, Section A-A). The
FEBRUARY 2015

33

Figure 3: Schematics of right hand spiral face gear (black) hobbing with right hand hob

Number of Teeth

16

Normal Module, mm

6.0

Tooth Addendum, mm

3.7

Whole Depth, mm

8.0

Normal Pressure Angle

45

Reference Diameter, mm

150.0

Spiral angle at reference diameter, mm

50.2

Minor Diameter, mm

120.0

Spiral angle at Minor diameter

36.9

Major Diameter, mm

180.0

Spiral angle at Major diameter

57.8

Table 1. Experimental involute spiral face coupling gear parameter

(blue)

Figure 4: Hirth couplings

Figure 6: Experimental involute spiral face coupling mating flanges and hob (the same hob was used to machine both
right and left hand spiral face gears)

utilizing conventional hobbing equipment.

Schematics of spiral face gear hobbing are
shown in Figures 2 and 3. Hobbing center
distance a is:
Figure 5: Curvic couplings

spiral face gear tooth parameters and its root

fillet profile can be optimized using Direct
Gear Design optimization technique [1] to
amplify load capacity by increasing tooth
surface durability and minimizing bending
stress concentration.

INVOLUTE SPIRAL FACE

MACHINING
Since any normal to the involute tooth line
section of the spiral face gear presents a
straight flank gear rack, a gear hob can be
used in manufacturing. Thus, a spiral face
gear per this design can be hobbed with
the same accuracy as spur and helical gears
34

gearsolutions.com

axis (see Figure 2, Section B-B) from base

diameter db to the hob centerline offset by
distance a or:

(2)
Where the + sign if the spiral gear and
hob have opposite hands left-right (Figure 2)
or right-left, the sign if the spiral gear and
hob have the same hands right -right (Figure
3) or left-left.
The normal section of the spiral gear tooth
profile is an impression of the hob tooth profile
in normal section (Figure 2, Section A-A).
In order to avoid interference and undercut
of the concave tooth flank, the minimal gear
flank curvature radius rg must be greater
than the maximum hob helical surface
radius rc measured parallel to the hob

(3)

The minimal gear flank curvature radius

rg min and minor diameter di is:
(4)
A profile of the hob helical surface section
parallel to its axis presents a complex curve
and exact definition of its maximum radius
rc max at a contact point with the concave
gear flank is a difficult task. However, this
maximum radius rc max could be defined
with sufficient accuracy for a practical
solution by equation 5.

(5)
A higher profile (pressure) angle
and a smaller hob major diameter dc,
results in a smaller spiral face gear minor
diameter, achieved without concave flank
undercut.

manufacturing technology. For example,

the minor diameter and pressure angle for
a hobbed gear are limited by a condition
per equation 3.
Figure 7 presents a sample of
involute spiral face coupling assembly.
Experimental involute spiral face
coupling gear parameters are presented
in Table 1.

SPIRAL FACE GEARS

A spiral face gear can be engaged with
an involute helical pinion or worm
at intersecting or crossed axes. Such
engagement is used in the Helicon type
gears [3].
In order to avoid interference of the
helical pinion tooth (worm thread) tip
with the spiral face gear tooth tip at its

SPIRAL FACE COUPLINGS

A pair of spiral face gears can be used
as a flange coupling (also known as
Endicon coupling [2]). Application
of this type of coupling is similar to the
Hirth and Curvic couplings. The Hirth
coupling flange (Figure 5) has tapered,
symmetrical teeth. Both mating flanges
of the Hirth coupling have identical tooth
geometry. The Curvic coupling flanges
(Figure 6) have teeth with a circular tooth
line, though the tooth flank profiles are
straight. One flange of a coupling has
concave tooth lines and the mating one
has convex tooth lines.
A distinct difference of the involute
spiral face coupling (Figure 6) is that the
normal to the tooth line section tooth
geometry and the normal load are the same
at any radius. This results in even stress
distribution and potentially greater load
transmission capacity. Both mating flanges
of the involute spiral face coupling have
the same tooth geometry, but tooth spiral
line directions have opposite clockwise and
counterclockwise directions.
Spiral face gear parameter selection
could be limited by a choice for

Figure 7: Sample of involute spiral face coupling assembly

FEBRUARY 2015

35

Figure 8: Sample of spiral face gear pair

concave flank, the pinion and spiral gear

geometry must satisfy to the condition (3).
This condition requires a high pressure
angle in in mesh with the spiral face
gear tooth concave flank and the mating
helical pinion flank. At the same time the
effective tooth height in the gear mesh
must provide a contact ratio greater than
1.0. In most cases both these conditions

Figure 9: Asymmetric tooth hobs a) helical pinion, b) spiral gear

cannot be satisfied with symmetric tooth

profile in the normal section that is used
for spiral face couplings. Application of

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318 Manley St. Unit 5 West Bridgewater, MA
02379
(888) STD-GEAR or (508) 580-0035
Fax (888) FAX-4STD or (508) 580-0071
E-mail info@stdgear.com
Web site: www.stdgear.com

36

gearsolutions.com

an asymmetric gear tooth profiles with high

pressure angle for the concave flank and low
pressure angle for the convex flank of the

Gear

Pinion

Number of Teeth

Spiral Face Gear

26

Normal Module, mm

0.85

0.85

Normal Drive Flank Pressure Angle

45

45 (concave flank)

10

10 (convex flank)

Helix/Spiral Angle

Normal Coast Flank Pressure Angle

57.9

32.0

Helix /Spiral Hand

LEFT

RIGHT

Pitch Diameter (PD), mm

9.600

29.068

Base Diameter, mm

4.504/9.111*

24.650

Major Diameter, mm

11.00

36.00

Minor Diameter, mm

7.74

28.00

Addendum, mm

0.70

0.70

Whole Depth, mm

2.00

2.00

Normal Tooth Thickness at PD, mm

1.270

1.270

Face Width, mm

10.00

4.00

Center Distance, mm

6.3500.025

Contact Ratio
Table 2. Spiral face gear data

1.05/2.60*
*drive/coast flank

spiral face gear allows a contact ratio

greater than 1.0 in both flank gear
meshes. A sample of the spiral face gear
pair and its data are shown in Figure 8
and Table 2 accordingly. Asymmetric
tooth hobs for the helical pinion and
spiral face gear are shown in Figure 9.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
Spiral face couplings have greater
load capacity and utilize cost effective
hobbing fabrication methods in
comparison to the Hirth and Curvic
type flange couplings. They may find
many application areas including
aerospace, automotive, agriculture,
robotics, etc. For example, this type of
coupling could be used to connect an
airplane propeller to an engine shaft.
Spiral face gears that utilize convexconcave tooth contact at a highpressure angle on drive tooth flanks
have potentially greater load capacity in
comparison to conventional face gears.

This makes it suitable for different

power drives and actuators, and also in
positioning systems for many industries
and applications.

SUMMARY
-G
 eometry of involute spiral face
gears and their tooth machining
technology are described.
-S
 piral face couplings and spiral face
gears are described.
- Potential applications of spiral face
couplings and spiral face gears are
suggested.

REFERENCES
1. Kapelevich, A.L., Direct Gear Design,
CRC Press, 2013.
2. http://www.itwheartland.com/endicon
C2AE-couplings/ .
3. Paul, DuWayne, Spiroid And Helicon
Gearing, http://itw.njolson.net/Spiroid/
Springer Encyclopedia of Tribology
Article-Spiroid Gearing.pdf.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Alexander L. Kapelevich is the founder and president
of the consulting firm AKGears, LLCa developer of modern Direct Gear Design
methodology and software.

He has over 30 years of experience in custom gear

transmission development, and he is the author of Direct Gear Design and many
technical articles. Kapelevich can be reached by e-mail at ak@akgears.com.
Stephen D. Korosec is the president of Koro Ind. Inc., and he has been a manufacturer
of fine and medium pitch precision gears for more than 40 years. He has extensive
knowledge of tooling, production methods, and other techniques required to manufacture
these high quality products. Korosec can be reached by email at steve@koroind.com.

FEBRUARY 2015

37

What do ZOLLER and a simple gear have

in common? Both are proven in use and
high efficiency.
By E. ZOLLER GmbH & Co. KG

By presenting spiral face gears with an involute tooth line and an identical tooth
profile in the normal section at any given radius, two applications are made
possible for such face gears.
INTRODUCTION:
Gears have existed for over 2000
years and are an indispensable part
of today's technology. Whether
in the car, in a pinwheel, or a
movement a gear is used in many
ways. In order to achieve perfect
gearing, maximum efficiency, and
maximum power, gears must be
manufactured in a very precise
manner with equally precise tools.
Today's demands on gearssuch
as minimal friction forces, low
noise, low maintenance, durability,
and minimum weightwere made
with the advent of mechanical
engineering and the automotive
and energy industries, and they have
significantly grown in importance.
Consequently, higher demands
are placed on accuracy, and
precise manufacturing is of utmost
importance. In hobbing, several
teeth are always in use at the same
time thereby placing great demands
on the accuracy of the tools, in
particular for the production of
large-module gears using new cutter
concepts, such as the turning plate
technology.
Only perfectly manufactured and
reground tools guarantee correct
workpieces, short set-up times,
and, less downtime of expensive
gear cutting machines. Therefore,
complete documentation and
logging are basic requirements.

WORKSHOP-SUITED
COMPLETE MEASURING
OF HOBS
Today, hobs can only be measured and
inspected by highly complex and very
expensive measuring equipment in
measuring rooms. In many cases, still
profile projectors or tactile measuring

machines are used, which must be

operated by specially trained personnel
requiring a large amount of time. This
results in high costs and bottlenecks in
production.
ZOLLER combines image-processing
technology with a probe and six CNC
controlled axes for distortion-free
complete measurement of hobs.
FEBRUARY 2015

39

ZOLLER HOBCHECK
- CHECK YOUR HOBS
EFFICIENTLY:
ZOLLER measures the tooth profile
directly on the cutting edge with the
time-tested software function for contour
measurement called lasso of the image
processing technology pilot. This
is a significant advantage over tactile

measuring machines that measure over

probe only along the surfaces of the
tooth flanks and then calculate the
actual cutting edge theoretically. The
measuring machine hobCheck delivers
due to the ability of pivoting the optical
carrier into the cutter pitch distortionfree contours and accurate pictures of the
tooth profiles. This means it meets all the

requirements for optimal measurement

and inspection of high-precision hobs.
Its quick and easy to use - on a machine
completely suitable for workshops. With
the hobCheck, ZOLLER delivers the
first suitable system for the complete
measurement of hobs that is suitable for
workshop yet economical.

WITH VARIATION,
COMPLEXITY INCREASES.
Over time, complexity increases, which,
in turn, increases quality demands in the
production of gears place new demands
on the tools. There are more variants
of gears that require specially adapted
tools. This presents increasing challenges
for both tool manufacturers as well as
for those who develop and deploy the
metrology of these tools. Flexibility is
required, and this is provided by the
ZOLLER hobCheck.

COMPLETE MEASURING
MACHINE:
The hobCheck not only solves the
challenge to measure hobs economically
and with high precision, but it also
includes all of the standard features
of a professional measuring machine.
Therefore, it is also possible to measure
standard and special tools (drills,
step drills, form cutters, and routers)
completely. This is an added value in
particular for regrinding companies.

Choose from one of our portable

or laboratory systems, or utilize
our ISO 17025 laboratories for
accurate and efcient contract
measurement services.
For more information contact us at
info@protoxrd.com or 1-313-965-2900

LXRD
STANDARD

40

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WIDEBODY

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LXRD
MODULAR MAPPING

iXRD
STANDARD

mXRD
ULTRA PORTABLE

EASY OPERATION:
In ter ms of technical matters and
beyond, everything must run smoothly.
Also, in view of remaining economical,
companies must stay on the ball to be
the decisive step ahead of the competitor.
Process costs must be reduced with falling
numbers of pieces, which in turn requires
increasing flexibility and short reaction
times. For the measuring technology, this
means that the process must be simple
and safe to use and the measurement can
be taken by the machine operators.

AS PROVEN AS THE GEAR

THE ZOLLER IMAGE:
PROCESSING PILOT 3.0
With the image processing pilot
3.0 complete measurements as well

providing safety for both the tool

manufacturer and the customer. The
quality evaluation of the parameters
including graphical display on the monitor
and creation of a test report allows to
repeat the measurement of individual
parameters in tolerance overstepping.
For this purpose, due to the software
intelligence on the ZOLLER hobCheck
new complete measurement is not
required. The individual measurement
is completely recalculated depending on
the context in which it is to other metrics.

CUSTOMIZED ALSO FOR

REGRINDING FACTORIES:

as re-measurements of individual
parameters are easily implemented by
anyone. Additionally, the measurement

results are automatically recorded in

accordance with DIN 3968, as well as
the classification according to quality

In addition to the complete and partial

measurement of tools and their logging,
ZOLLER hobCheck especially allows
for regrinding the automatic detection
of any number of teeth on the periphery
or in the chest on the high-resolution
incident light camera to find the tooth
with the greatest wear afterwards. This
greatest wear detection is entered into
the grinder for repositioning of the breast

think
outside
the box

RUSSELL,
HOLBROOK &
HENDERSON, INC.

25 E Spring Valley Ave., Maywood, New Jersey 07607

P: 201-226-9000 F: 201-226-9004 E: geartools@tru-volute.com

1-800-786-7562

1-800-storloc

Made by aMerican craftsMen in the Usa

www.storloc.com

Precision Gear Products

STOCK : HOBS : HSS & CARBIDE
STOCK : SHAPERS : Disc & Shank
STOCK : MASTER GEARS
RFQ on specials gear tools welcome
Diametral Pitch 12 and finer

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS IN BUSINESS

STOCK AVAILABLE

www.tru-volute.com
FEBRUARY 2015

41

probe and the pivotable optics

carrier. Thanks to the image
processing pilot users benefit
from the variety and simplicity
of the measurement of all types
of tools. hobCheck meets all
the requirements for a costeffective complete measurement
and is the perfect partner for
the production of high-precision
gear parts using high-precision
tools. Quod erat demonstrandum
(QED) - as it says at the end of
each argumentation.

HOBCHECK
UNIVERSAL
MEASURING
MACHINE FOR
FULLY AUTOMATICAL
MEASUREMENT OF
CYLINDRICAL HOBS:

saving time and money due to the exact

specification wear and the resulting exact
regrinding data. Tools are ground in
only one grinding process without any
necessary corrections and are reground
only as needed to avoid the unnecessary
purchase of new, more expensive tools.

The aim here is often "only" the setting

of tools such as lathe tools, measuring
shaft tools and control of the regrind of
hobs. The answer is hobCheck regrind,
which does not measure hobs completely,
but only the values that are important
in sharpening. This reduces the cost
enormously.

INDIVIDUAL ZOLLER
SOLUTION FOR EVERY
CUSTOMER:

PROVEN IN USE AND HIGH

EFFICIENCY Q.E.D:

For regrinding shops hobCheck regrind

is the optimal solution for optimized
application performance. Unlike for
the production of hobs it does not pay
to buy special equipment for complete
measurement, and certainly not for hobs.

Since its launch in 2011, the hobCheck

has proven itself many times. The
hardware provides a contactless micron
accuracy measurement of the teeth
by transmitted and incident light
measurement option combined with the

hobCheck guarantees precise

and economical measurement
of hobs, as well as standard
and special tools. The swiveling
optics carrier guarantees distortion-free
measurement of tooth shape.
The user-friendly software with intuitive
graphical user interface allows for easy
installation of measuring sequences,
switching from sampling to complete
measurement up to the re-measurement
of individual parameters directly from
the result list. The calculation of the
grades and the graphic recording occur
automatically.
Thanks to the combination of probe,
incident light camera, and transmitted
light image processing, more than 15
parametersincluding tooth profile,
concentricity, swash, pitch, shape, and
position can be measured.

ABOUT ZOLLER INC.:In 1945, Alfred Zoller founded the company ZOLLER in Germany, which is today in its third generation. On March 1,
1997, ZOLLER Inc. was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ZOLLER Inc. is providing sales and service to its customers within the U.S., Canada
and Mexico for tool presetting, tool measuring and inspection machines, tool management software, heat-shrink systems and balancing
machines. For more information, please visit www.zoller-usa.com or go to www.youtube.com/zollertv.

ABOUT E. ZOLLER GMBH & CO. KG: With great enthusiasm for inspection and measuring technology, E. ZOLLER GmbH & Co. KG,
based in Pleidelsheim near Stuttgart, has been developing innovative solutions for increased efficiency in manufacturing processes
for more than 70 years. More than 30,000 presetting and measuring machines with internationally unrivalled software solutions have
been installed to date worldwide. ZOLLER is increasingly moving from being a manufacturer of presetting and measuring machines
to a globally operating provider of technology and system solutions. An international network of subsidiaries and agents guarantees
maximum service quality through personal customer care.

42

gearsolutions.com

Expertise that powers

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Failure is not an option
You need a precision-engineered product that delivers power, performance and
reliability. With Lufkin as your partner, our highly experienced and trained teams
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Contact us at +1 (936) 634 2211 or gearsales.lufkin@ge.com

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The Convergence of Gear Metrology and

3-D Measuring Technology:
The Slow Evolution
By Chris Pumm and Dwight Smith

While there has been a gradual convergence of generative gear metrology and 3-D
or CMM type measurements, significant differences remain. This article explores the
historical perspective and outlines the current technology.
Ever since the first CNC generative gear
measuring systems for parallel axis gears
were introduced to the marketplace
in the late 1970s, efforts have been
made to utilize coordinate measuring
machines (CMMs) to check gears. Why
not? After all, CMMs have three axes
of measurement and can measure
geometric shapes. Gears are geometric
shapes, right?

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Because the involute is easily generated by
moving a point through space, generative
motion was utilized for the purpose of
evaluating the shape of gear teeth. The
most direct and simple method is to
mimic the generative method used to
develop the gear tooth.
A fully equipped gear inspection lab
needed at least three separate mechanical
machines: an involute checker, a lead
checker, and a pitch checker. Each
needed to be maintained and calibrated
on a regular basis, and operators needed
to be trained in the use of each different
machine. A note on nomenclature:
current usage is profile (involute), helix
(lead) and pitch.
The earliest mechanical generative
involute measuring machines utilized
a simple disc of the exact base circle
diameter of the subject gear mounted
on the work spindle. The tangent slide
pressed against it and moved as the disc
rotated on the spindle. A measuring
probe, mounted on the tangent slide,
moves in the nominal path of the
involute. The probe then would deviate

either positively or negatively in response

to any non-nominal conditions on the
gear tooth.
A moving strip of paper (strip chart
recorder) was arranged to move in sync
with the rotation of the spindle, which
ties the location on the strip chart with a
specific position on the gear tooth.
This provided involute inspection of
reasonable accuracy for the pre-CNC
era. Every different gear base circle size
required a very accurate disc of that
exact size. A job shop might have needed
hundreds of different discs to check their
full range of gears.
The next development eliminated the
need for the separate base circle discs.
A master disc was mounted below the
work spindle of the gear checker, and
a variable ratio base disc arrangement
was used to position the tangent slide for
any center distance within its adjustment
range. This allowed any base circle size to
be checked, but required additional skill
for accurate operation.
The mechanical lead checker used
similar mechanical motions to rotate the
part and move the measuring probe in
a coordinated manner in such a way as
to generate the exact lead of the part.
Again, the probe need only measure the
deviation from nominal and record the
deviation on a piece of moving chart
paper.
If pitch was to be checked, a third
machine would be needed.
The resulting charts, looking much
like a seismograph or electrocardiogram,
needed to be read and interpreted. This
interpretation depended heavily on the

Figure 1

Figure 2

experience of the person looking at

the chart. Since the measurement and
output were all analog, no numeric values
were generated. Hard to believe, but this
was all done without computers! This
human-based interpretation was prone
to variation and would sometimes lead
to the gear lab developing a guru who
would reign over all inspection charts.
Initial CMM efforts measured the
pitch, helix and profile of the gear teeth
by an X-Y-Z coordinate system, which
calculated where the surface should be.
The system would drive the probe to
where the inspection point should be
FEBRUARY 2015

45

Figure 3: In the traditional gear-measuring technique before 1980, the plane

of contact of a probe element was followed by a ruler (X), which is based on
a circular disc with a diameter of the base circle while disc and gear turned
firmly joined together (C). The strip chart recorder used to record the measurment diagrams moves in sync with the rolling path of the ruler. The measuring
diagrams were indeed generating path-based.

46

gearsolutions.com

and take a measurement. The resulting deviations from the calculated

nominal were reported. The ability to check pitch is made more difficult
without a rotary table. The probe needs to be repositioned many times
to reach the pitch diameter for each tooth all the way around the gear.
This adds time and could reduce accuracy.
Most CMMs are capable of measuring objects from CAD data.
However, gears are primarily manufactured using generative methods
such as hobbing and shaping. Solid models and CAD data of gear teeth
are not typically available or used for gear inspection. Arguing further
against this is that a deviation table would be of little use to the operator
of a hobber or gear grinder if corrections are necessary.
By comparison, the CNC generative gear inspection systems use
interpolative two axis motions to create the nominal geometry by moving
the probe in true involute and helical paths and measuring the deviation
of the component from the theoretical. This motion directly creates the
nominal geometry.
Because of the specific calculations required for gear geometry, early
CMM inspection software often didnt have the horsepower needed
to check gears and supply information to the manufacturing people in a
format that was familiar or useful.
Compared to the mechanical gear inspection systems still in use at
the time, as well as to the generative CNC systems just coming into
wider use, the CMM approach was very slow. Since it utilized point-topoint measuring rather than the generative method, they also collected
a relatively small amount of data. Probe tangency errors (often called I,
J, K surface to normal vectors) also reduced accuracy. The lack of data

Figure 4

density and industry acceptable analysis further prevented acceptance

by the gear industry.
Adding to the challenge for CMMs was the difficulty of programming.
Since CMMs are typically general purpose systems, every move and
measuring point needs to be painstakingly programmed by a skilled
programmer. In contrast, dedicated gear inspection machine software has
the programming for gear inspection already in the machine. The user
need only enter basic gear data from the engineering drawing and the
machine uses this data to measure the gear. The typical commodity level
CMM of the time was never capable of the accuracy and repeatability

necessary for gear inspection. Using the old toolmakers rule of thumb,
typical gear tolerances in the .005mm (.0002) range require inspection
accuracy much greater than the tolerance. With the large volumetric
inspection cube, standard accuracy CMMs are often not accurate or
repeatable enough for the task of gear metrology.
Early CNC controllers didnt have the speed needed for gear inspection.
The axis drives created internal heat that effected accuracy as well. Bridge
type CMMs, with scales mounted at the slides, made measurements
by reading those scales which are far away from the gear. Without a
rotary table, a CMM needs to be much larger than the subject gear to
provide sufficient travel in all axes to reach the entire gear. This makes
the footprint of the machine much larger, requiring a larger inspection
facility, and further positioning the measuring scales even further from the
gear tooth. All this meant that companies whose main endeavor was gear
manufacturing almost always had dedicated, four axis, CNC, generative
gear inspection machines.
If a gear producing company was checking gears for their own
products, the output from the CMM was often useful. However, if the
gears produced were for outside customers, there were often correlation
issues. The inability of most CMMs of that vintage to measure a certified
and calibrated master artifact, and make adjustments to match the known
values, made the CMM reports unacceptable to many customers.

THE NEED FOR CALIBRATION

Most manufacturers have quality standards that require inspection
to be traceable to a calibrated artifact. In the gear industry, it is an accepted

FEBRUARY 2015

47

practice to use a master artifact calibrated by

an accredited laboratory and traceable to the
N.I.S.T. (National Institute of Standards and
Technology) or other standards authority.
Therefore, one of the most important criteria
for gear metrology is the ability to measure a
recognized calibrated master artifact and to
adjust the measuring machine to the calibrated
measurement values.
Figure 5

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY
Touch probes were almost universally used on
CMMs, and these probes lacked the accuracy
and repeatability required by the very small
tolerances found on gear drawings. Further,
it was not possible to lock out two axis of
the 3-D touch probes to allow measuring in
the transverse plane of a gear. Add the fact
the inspection reports usually didnt look like
what the gear community was used to and
expected, it is easy to see why CMMs were
not favored for critical gear inspection.
Throughout the late 1980s and early
1990s, technological advancements allowed
more sophisticated programming. The CMM
manufacturers began putting rotary tables
on CMMs to allow faster measurements,

WE

although the initial applications did not

utilize generative inspection. Higher accuracy
scanning probes increased data density.
The generative inspection machine
manufacturers also improved their products.
The ability to use radial and axial references,
like CMMs were always capable of, improved
referencing and accuracy. Moving from 1D
probes to 3-D probes with the ability to lock
individual axes as needed made the generative
machines more flexible and easier to use.
One factor exists when using CMMs or
generative gear inspection systems for gear
metrology, and that is the effect of temperature.
However, because CMMs typically use the
three axes for the measurement, and these

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axes are relatively long and far removed from

the component, changes in temperature have
an adverse effect on measurement.
Generative systems use the linear and
rotary axes to create the motion needed to
generate the theoretical geometry, and the
measurement takes place at the probe, very
near the part. In addition, motion control
with closed loop servos constantly compensate
for very small variations in the motion of the
generating axes.
Temperature changes over time,
and shorter fluctuations also influence
measurement accuracy. Generative systems,
with the measurement both closer to the
gear, and shorter measurement times are
less influenced by temperature changes and
fluctuations.
Speed of inspection is typically quite
different between CMMs and generative
inspection machines. In many cases, the
CMM takes three or four times longer to
measure a gear than a generative system. If
manufacturing is waiting for the inspection
results before going into production, this gets
quite expensive.
CMM inspection of prismatic parts relies
on a coordinate system and locates points
within this 3-D space. Generative gear
inspection does not utilize this coordinate
system and uses either the measured datum
surfaces or the center of rotation as the basis
of all measurements. Since CMMs need to be
able to measure planes, distances, locations,
etc., they need the coordinate system.
Since the dedicated gear checker need only
measure the profile, helix and pitch of gears,
it does not require the coordinate system to
accomplish this.

CURRENT SITUATION
From the above, it may be concluded that
generative systems provide advantages for
gear metrology. However, many companies
have requirements for both gear and 3-D
CMM metrology. The convergence of both
methodologies have provided solutions for
this with varying degrees of accuracy and
success.
At the heart of generative gear inspection
is the rotary table, and the ability to precisely
synchronize the motion of the rotary table
with a linear slide to create (generate) the
nominal shape of the involute tooth and
the helix. Measuring pitch error is relatively

It is clear that the premium CMM manufacturers have

continued to improve the accuracy and speed of their systems.
This often comes at the cost of highly controlled lab environments
and a high level of skill required for operators. In order to achieve
the accuracy levels needed for gear inspection, some CMM
manufacturers offer commodity (standard), medium and high
accuracy models, with increasing cost as accuracy improves. The
typical dedicated gear inspection system has the needed accuracy
as part of the standard machine.
A case can be made that a very accurate generative gear
inspection system is an advantageous platform for both gear
inspection and CMM 3-D measurement. If it can be accepted
that generative inspection is the fastest and most accurate way to
check gears, then the former is obvious. Since generative systems,
by definition, have high accuracy X, Y, and Z axes, then with
the correct CNC controller and CMM software, they can excel
at the latter. If the CMM tasks include rotationally symmetric
components, the integrated rotary table can be utilized to
enhance the accuracy and speed of measurement.

CONCLUSION
Figure 6: Involutes are generated in the transverse section. If you work in the
axial direction, you only need two axes. This can either be two linear axes,
(Method A) or an axis of rotation and a linear axis (Method B + D).Method A
uses a path composed of XY stages, normally used on a CMM (X,Y,Z).Method
B corresponds to the generation principle of a mechanical gearmeasuring
machine by using rotary axis C and the tangential linear axis X. This generating
principle is used in all 4-axis devices (C,X,Y,Z).Method D makes the tangential
superfluous by the linear axis Y being driven with simultaneous rotation of C
axis of the tooth base towards the tip circle. This principle is used in all threeaxis (1 rotary + 2 linear axis C,Y,Z) GMM devices and is very sensitive to the
deviations of the probe tip from the turnable center.Method C is used in cases
where large modules require a larger than the maximum available X-Traverse.
This process is called skew rolling and occasionally used for large gears, it
combines Method B and D using four axes (C,X,Y,Z).

simple when using an integrated rotary table, since it allows each

successive tooth to be accurately positioned in front of the measuring
probe. Only the rotary and one linear axis are needed for any of the
gear measurements. This eliminates the need for complicated probe
reorientation needed if measuring pitch without a rotary table.
Measuring gears without a rotary table is possible, but it isnt
without difficulty. Pitch, in particular, requires the CMM probe to be
reconfigured for different positions around the gear. When measuring
the involute profile, the I, J, and K surface-to-normal vectors are
changing with every change in roll angle. This can be compensated
for, but if there a different deviation than the compensation was based
on, inaccuracies result.
When a rotary table is integrated into the measurement system,
additional options are available to measure involutes. The illustration
below shows four approaches to involute measurement, three of which
utilize rotary motion.

At the high end of metrology equipment, the convergence is

taking place. Systems are now available that utilize granite
construction, which minimizes thermal effects. Air bearings and
linear motors for motion control are used for the highest accuracy.
With I++ compatibility, many CMM software packages can be
used regardless of the manufacturer of the measuring hardware.
Industry accepted gear metrology software can operate on the
same system as the CMM package, allowing each to be used to
best advantage. At the heart of the system is a highly accurate
rotary table.
The most successful implementations of CMM and generative
gear inspection on one machine maintain separate software
solutions. The standard CMM software is often CAD based and
3-D in its basic approach. Generative gear inspection uses the
machines axes to create motion that moves the probe in a path
that describes the gear tooths geometry. The other difference
is in the analysis and reporting of the inspection results. The
gear industry has evolved to have very specific standards, each
with different analysis methods. AGMA 2000-A88, AGMA
2015, DIN, and ISO are just a few of the different methods
required by gear manufacturers. In addition, customer specific
custom standards exist for large companies such as GM, Ford and
Caterpillar. The necessarily broader generic inspection approach
of the CMM world precludes having these specific analysis and
reporting options available due to the time and cost to develop
and maintain them.
One system can do the job of the CMM and the gear checker
without compromising either task if the tasks are considered as
separate and different.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Chris Pumm is the technical director of R&P Metrology GmbH. He has over 25 years of CMM and gear metrology
experience working with Wenzel Przision and Wenzel GearTec.
Dwight Smith is the sales manager at Kapp Technologies. He has over 20 years of gear metrology experience and teaches the Basic Gear
School for AGMA.

FEBRUARY 2015

49

PRODUCT
SHOWCASE

LEHVOSS develops high-performance

compounds for automotive gear wheels
Plastic gearing in the automotive industry is
increasingly subjected to demanding applications
having higher loads and operating temperatures.
Lehvoss North America has responded by
developing thermoplastic compounds that make
it possible to produce gear wheels that are more
resilient when compared to acetal, nylon, and
PBT even at elevated temperatures.
New LUVOCOM 1-8181 and 1-8520
compounds polyamide 66 fortified with
carbon fibers and impact modifiers, have been
developed for gear wheels subject to high stresses.
The strengths of these compounds at room
temperature and at 240F have been increased
by approximately 80 percent compared with
standard polyamide 66 compounds. As an
added benefit, these new materials exhibit
an increased impact strength that meets or
exceeds the requirements of many gear wheel
applications. Depending on the service life
of the component, the continuous operating
temperature is 240F and up to 302F for
short periods. This combination of properties
expands the engineering envelope for ultra-high

performance plastic gearing, explained Lefteris

Valsamis, General Manager, Lehvoss North
America.
Due to technical and economic advantages,
plastic gear wheels are currently displacing
conventional metal designs in many industrial
applications. In addition to their good processing
characteristics, excellent design freedom, and
mass production cost effectiveness, plastics also
offer benefits such as high noise insulation,
weight reduction, functional integration, and
chemical resistance. Incorporating lubrication
into the materials leads to an improvement in
the tribological properties of plastic gear wheels
which also contributes to a cleaner operating
environment due to the elimination of external
lubrication. Ultimately both higher performance
and lower maintenance costs are achieved.
We offer formulations to create tailor-made
compounds meeting the customers exact
engineering requirements said Valsamis.
For more information about LUVOCOM
1-8181 and 1-8520 compounds for gear wheels,
www.luvocom.com
call LEHVOSS at (860) 495-2046.

SMT releases MASTA 6 CAE transmission software solution

SMT (Smart Manufacturing Technology) is
pleased to announce the release of its highly
anticipated edition of CAE software, MASTA 6.
MASTA is for transmission and driveline
design, analysis, simulation and manufacture.
Its modular structure makes it tailorable to
the responsibilities of its user and is applicable
to the entire development cycle for the
automotive, energy, aerospace, marine and rail
industries. MASTA integrates and interfaces
with a multitude of other platforms including
Gleasons CAGE software for manufacture
and CAD modelling software for design and
analysis.
Faster user interface
A user interface overhaul allows the user
to make even faster accurate results in an
ergonomic workflow allowing engineers
to achieve higher levels of quality much
more efficiently. Key improvements include
www.smartmt.com advanced customisable reporting features as
50

gearsolutions.com

well as importing and exporting CAD model

enhancements.
New modules for fluid film bearings, plunge
shaving micro geometry and shaving cutter
dynamics have also added to MASTAs extensive
repertoire.
Upgrades available
Current users of MASTA and lease or have a
maintenance agreement with SMT then you can
upgrade to MASTA 6 subject to your agreement.
Those currently looking for CAE software for
transmission and driveline development or if you
find your current software ineffective, you can try
an evaluation of MASTA by getting.
Engineers continually switch to MASTA
due to its seamlessly integrated and advanced
features, most effective workflow and the
best dedicated support that our users are
accustomed to.
For more information about SMTs MASTA
6 solution, call +44 (0) 115 941 9839.

Jergens offers maximum

machine travel with new
top tooling solutions

Complete Gear Manufacturing

Jergens Inc. introduces two of its latest top

tooling solutions. Among the new products
first displayed at IMTS 2014 is a 130 mm
low profile vise to effectively extend the
work area for multi-axis applications. Part
of the industry-leading Fixture Pro
family, this vise permits increased Z travel
while maintaining the same characteristics
as the companys larger vises ensuring
stability, repeatability and long service life.
Available in standard and Drop & Lock
versions for quickness and accuracy, the
new vise is one of many Jergens solutions
designed to reduce set up time.
In addition to the low profile solution,
Jergens also introduced its Dual Station
Production Vise line which includes 6
widths in 15 length versions. These vises
permit the use of full 6 width on Vertical
Machining Centers (VMCs) with narrow
tables that typically pose table overhang
and clearance issues. These short length
vises are available in three body styles;
narrow base, Ball Lock base and with
a universal design for easy direct to table
mounting.
For more information on the complete
line of workholding solutions, call
Jergens at (877) 486-1454, e-mail: info@
jergensinc.com.
www.jergensinc.com

Serving the Gear Industry for

Over 20 Years
Gear Grinding Services Featuring
Newer CNC Gear Grinders
Calibrated Analytical Gear Inspection
Equipment
Up to 200 Piece Lot Sizes
ISO 9001:2008

6125 11TH STREET ROCKFORD, IL 61109

PHONE: 815-874-3948 FAX: 815-874-3817

www.raycargear.com
FEBRUARY 2015

51

MACHINERY
FEATUREDSUPPLIERS
Midwest Gear Corporation REF #101
Phone: 330-425-4419 Fax: 330-425-8600
Email: sales@mwgear.com
Website: www.mwgear.com
New England Gear REF #102
Phone: 860-223-7778 Fax: 860-223-7776
Email: jeff@newenglandgear.com
Website: www.newenglandgear.com
R. P. Machine Enterprises, Inc. REF #103
Phone: 704-872-8888 Fax: 704-872-5777
Email: sales@rpmachine.com
Website: www.rpmachine.com
Repair Parts, Inc. REF #104
Phone: 815-968-4499 Fax: 815-968-4694
Email: rpi@repair-parts-inc.com
Website: www.repair-parts-inc.com
Havlik International Machinery, Inc. REF #105
Phone: 519-624-2100 Fax: 519-624-6994
Email: havlik@bellnet.ca
Website: www.havlikinternational.com
GQ Machinery Inc. REF #106
Phone: 516-867-4040 Fax: 516-223-1195
Email: george@gqmachinery.com
Website: www.gqmachinery.com
Gibbs Machinery Company REF #107
Phone: 586-755-5353 Fax: 586-755-0304
Email: rj@gibbsmachinery.com
Website: www.gibbsmachinery.com

GEAR ACCESSORIES, PARTS & TOOLING

FELLOWS Model #10-4/10-2, All Parts Available REF#102
Tilt Tables for 10-2/10-4, Qty 2 REF#102
FELLOWS Parts Available For All Models REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN PARTS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MODELS REF#103
G&E PARTS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MODELS REF#103

GEAR HOBBERS/CUTTERS CNC

PFAUTER #PE-150, 6-Axis CNC, 6 Dia, 5 DP, 6 Face, Fanuc 18MI REF#103
G&E #60 S-2 CNC Gasher/Hobber REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #16-36, 16 Dia, 4-Axis, 6 DP, 36 Face REF#103
MUIR CNC Gear Hobber, 4-Axis, 118 Dia REF#103
LIEBHERR #L-252 3-Axis, 9.8 Dia, recontrolled 2008 REF#103
LIEBHERR #ET-1802 CNC 98 Dia Internal, 3-Axis REF#103
G&E #120GH, CNC, Gasher/Hobber, Twin Stanchion, 1/2 DP, 42 Face, 94 REF#103
PFAUTER P400H, 5-Axis, 18 Dia, 1 DP, Recontrolled 03 REF#103
G&E #96GH, CNC, Gasher/Hobber, New 09 REF#103
PFAUTER PE 300 AW CNC 6-Axis REF#103
Pfauter PE150, 15MB Fanuc, Chip Conveyor, Auto Load REF#107
Pfauter PE150, Siemens 3M, Magnetic Chip Conveyor, Oil Chiller REF#107
Pfauter PE150, Fanuc 15, with light hob slide 8 REF#107
Pfauter PE80, 15MB Control, Auto Load, Light Curtain REF#107
Liebherr LC82 15M Fanuc Control, Auto Load REF#107

GEAR HOBBERS/CUTTERS
PFAUTER P1251 Hobbers s/n 25-276 and 25-277 REF#102
PFAUTER (1) RS-00 s/n 17593 REF#102
BARBER COLEMAN (1) 16-36 multi cycle s/n 4404 REF#102
BARBER-COLMAN #16-16, Multi-Cycle, Dual Thread Worm and/or Single Thread Worm
REF#103

52

gearsolutions.com

Contact Gear Solutions at

800-366-2185 to list your machinery.

G&E #48H 48 Dia, 18 Face 2 DP, Universal REF#103

G&E #48H, 48 Dia, 35 Face, 3 DP, Gooseneck Attachment REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #6-16, 6 Multi-Cycle REF#103
G&E #36H Differential, Excellent Condition REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #14-30, 14 Dia, 30 Face, 3.5DP REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #14-15, 14 Dia, 15 Face, 1 to 4 Start Worm, Several REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #16-16, 16 Dia, 16 Face, 6DP REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #16-36, 24 Dia, C-Frame Style, 4 1/8 Bore REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #16-56, 16 Dia, 56 Face, Differential REF#103
G&E #24H Universal Head, Infeed, Tailstock, Differential, 50s REF#103
LIEBHERR #L-650, 26" Dia Cap, 14.5" Face, 2.5 DP, New 70s REF#103
G&E #16H Gear Hobber, 16"Dia REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #6-10, 6 Dia, 10 Face, 16 DP REF#103
KOEPFER #140 , 2.75 DIa, 4 Face REF#103
LANSING #GH-50, 50 Dia, 17.75 Face, 2 DP REF#103
LIEBHERR #L-252, 9.8 Dia, 7.9 Face, 4.2 DP REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN TYPE T REF#103
G&E #36HS 36Dia, 14 Face 3 DP REF#103
PFAUTER #P-3000, 120 Dia, Single Index REF#103
SCHIESS RFW-10-S 55 Dia REF#103
SCHIESS 1 RF-10, Dia 60 150 L, .50 DP REF#103
G&E #40TWG, 48 Dia, 18 Face, 3 DP REF#103
G&E #60S, 72 Dia, 14 Face, 1.25 DP REF#103
G&E #72H, 72 Dia, 24 Face, 1 DP REF#103
G&E #96H, 104 Dia, .50 Face, 1.25 DP REF#103
PFAUTER #P-630, 25 Dia REF#103
PFAUTER P250 10 Dia REF#103
GE/Fitchburg Hobber 32 Dia, 72 Face 1.25DP REF#103
JF Reinecker 40 Dia 35 Face REF#103
LIEBHERR L-160-R 6.5 Dia REF#103
MIKRON #102.04 , 4 Dia, 5 Face REF#103
PFAUTER P-900 36 Dia REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN #25-15 25 Dia, 15 Face, 2.5 DP REF#103
PFAUTER #P-630R, 25" Max. Spur Dia, 12" Max Rotor Dia. 12" REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN 2 1/2 -4, S/N 119, 62 Hi-Production Spur Gear REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 SYKES, Triple Thrd w/Lever Operated Collet Assy REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 B&C Ltd, S/N 8079, Triple Thrd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 4626, 57 Triple Thrd 3 Hob Slide REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 4659R, 56 Triple Thrd Adj Ctr Assy REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 4665, 57 Fine Pitch Prec Triple Thrd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 4701, 58 Triple Thrd w/Power Down Feed REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 M/C, S/N 4755, 59 Triple Thrd w/MC Conversion REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 Multicycle, S/N 4778R87, 60 (87 Rebuild), Sgl Thrd Hi-Spd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 M/C, S/N 4913, 63 Triple Thrd w/90 Deg Hob Slide REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 Multicycle, S/N 5055, 66 Triple Thrd, 800 RPM REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 5141, 67 Triple Thrd w/Prec Hob Shift REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 Multicycle, S/N 5148, 68 Triple Thrd, 800 RPM REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10 Multicycle, S/N 5259, 75 Triple Thrd w/Auto
Hob Shift REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 5353, 77 Triple Thrd w/3 Hob Slide,
800 RPM REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 5394, 81 Fine Pitch Triple Thrd w/Dwell
& Hob Rev REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-16 M/C, S/N 5238, 70 Triple Thrd, Recon 02 REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-10, S/N 5407, 82 Auto w/PLC Control REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN DHM, S/N 105, 42 Double Thrd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15, S/N 635R, 53 Dbl Thrd, Fact Reb REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15, S/N 745, 55 Dbl Thrd w/Dwell REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15 Dual Fd, S/N 938, 62 Dbl Thrd, Comp Reco REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15, S/N 1055, 65 Dbl Thrd w/New Hyd Sys REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15, S/N 1131, 66 Dbl Thrd w/Hyd Tailctr REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15 Dual Fd, S/N 1261, 67 Dbl Thrd w/Hyd Live Ctr REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-15 Dbl Cut, S/N 1278, 68 Dbl Thrd w/4-1/8 Bore REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 14-30 Dual Fd, S/N 1371, 71 4-Thrd w/Sizing Cycle REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 22-15, S/N 923, 62 Dbl Thrd, Dbl Cut REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-11, S/N 184, 50 Dbl Thrd w/Vert DRO REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN AHM, S/N 1896, 42 Sgl Thrd w/3 Jaw Chuck REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16, S/N 2745, 51 Sgl Thrd w/90 Deg Hd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16, S/N 3171, 53 Dbl Thrd, Spanish Nameplates REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16, S/N 3580, 59 Dbl Thrd w/Diff & Auto Hobshift REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16 Multicycle, S/N 3641, 60 Dbl Thrd w/Diff REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16, S/N 3660, 57 Sgl Thrd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16, S/N 4136, Dbl Thrd, C Style End Brace w/Diff REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16 Multicycle, S/N 4170, Dbl Thrd w/Jump Cut Cycle
C Style REF#104

BARBER-COLMAN 16-16, S/N 4473, 73 4-Thrd w/Workclamp Cyl C Style REF#104

BARBER-COLMAN 16-16 Multicycle, S/N 4520, 75 Dbl Thrd w/Gooseneck Slide REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-16 Multicycle, S/N 4631, 79 C Style End Brace, 4W Adj Ctr REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN AHM (36), S/N 1152, 42 Dbl Thrd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-36, S/N 4090, 66 Dbl Thrd, C Style End Brace REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-36 Multicycle, S/N 4232, 68 Dbl Thrd C Style End Brace w/Diff
REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 16-56, S/N 3136R84, 53 (Reb 84), Dbl Thrd REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 10-20, S/N 6700045890, 76 Dbl Thrd w/2 Cut Cycle REF#104
TOS OFA Series Conventional Gear Hobbers, 12 & 40 Dia REF#105
TOS OHA Series Conventional Gear Shapers, 12 & 40 Dia REF#105
TOS FO-16 with single index 72 cap. REF#106

GEAR PINION HOBBERS & SPLINE MILLERS

HURTH #KF-32A 15 Dia, 59 Face, 67 REF#103
GE/Fitchuburg Pinion Hob 32 Dia, 72 Face REF#103
MICHIGAN Tool #3237 REF#103
FITCHBURG Pinion Hobber 42 Dia, 72 Dia REF#103
Craven horizontal 36 dia 96 length 73/4 hole REF#106

GEAR HOB & CUTTER SHARPENERS (incl CNC)

BARBER-COLMAN #6-5, 6" Dia, 5" Length, Manual Dresser, 57 REF#103
FELLOWS #6SB, Helical Cutter Sharpener, 6 Dia, up to 50 Degrees REF#103
KAPP #AS-305GT, 1 DP, 28" Grind Length, 10" Diam., Str. & Spiral REF#103
KAPP #AS204GT, 10 Dia, Wet Grinding, CBN Wheels, 82 REF#103
REDRING MODEL #SGH "PREIFORM" SHAVE CUTTER GRINDER/SHARPENER REF#103
STAR 6X8 HOB SHARPENER PRECISION GEAR & SPLINE HOBBER REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN 2-2 1/2 , 2.5 Dia REF#103
KAPP #AST-305B, 27.5 Dia, REF#103
KAPP AS-410B REF#103
GLEASON #12 Sharpener, 3-18 Cone REF#103
Red Ring Shaving Cutter sharpener Periform REF#103
Star #6 Gear Cutter Sharpener REF#103
Star 4HS Hob sharpener REF#103
Star HHS Horizontal Hob Sharpener CNC, Max Dia 10 Max length 12 New 1990 REF#103
BARBER-COLMAN 2 1/2-2, S/N 16, 66 Wet w/Auto Feed REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-5, S/N 110R, 55 Wet w/Auto Dress & Sparkout REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-5, S/N 396, 66 Wet w/Auto Dress & Sparkout REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 6-5, S/N 433, 69 Wet w/Auto Dress & Sparkout REF#104
BARBER-COLMAN 10-12, S/N 643R83, Wet w/Auto Dress, PC Control, Fact Reb 83 REF#104
TOS OHA Series CNC Gear Shapers, 12 & 40 Diameter REF#105
TOS OFA Series CNC Gear Hobbers, 12 & 40 Diameter REF#105

GEAR SHAPERS CNC

36 Shapers, 14 Throat Risers, 53 of Swing, Qty 3 REF#102
FELLOWS #10-4/10-2, Qty 150 REF#102
HYDROSTROKE #50-8, Qty 2 REF#102
HYDROSTROKE #20-8, Qty 5 REF#102
HYDROSTROKE #FS630-125, Qty 1 REF#102
HYDROSTROKE #FS400-90, Qty 2 REF#102
FELLOWS #20-4, Qty 6 REF#102
FELLOWS #48-8Z, Qty 1 REF#102
FELLOWS #FS-180, 3-5 Axis, 7 Dia, 1.25 Face., 6 DP, New 88 REF#103
LIEBHERR #WS-1, 4-Axis CNC, 8" OD, 2" Stroke, Fanuc 18MI REF#103
LORENZ # LS-180, 4-Axis CNC, 11 OD, 2 Stroke, 5 DP REF#103
LORENZ #LS-304 CNC Gear Shaper 5-Axis Heckler & Koch Control REF#103
FELLOWS FS400-125, 16 Dia, 3.5 DP 5 Face REF#103
FELLOWS #10-4 3-Axis (A/B), 10" Dia, 4" Face, 4 DP New .09 REF#103
FELLOWS #10-4 2-Axis, 10 Dia 4 Face REF#103
FELLOWS #20-4 3-Axis 10 Dia, 4 Face REF#103
FELLOWS FS400-90 Hydro-stroke Gear Shaper CNC Nominal Pitch 15.7" REF#103
Fellows 20-8, CNC Gear Shaper, Remanufactured and recontrolled REF#103
Fellows Model Z gear Shaper REF#103
Lorenz SN4 Gear Shaper, Max OD 7, 2 Face, Max 6 DP with Loader REF#103
RP/ Stanko 48-8 Remanufactured Gear Shaper, Fanuc 3 Axis, 18i M Control, new 2010 REF#103

GEAR HOBBERS
Barber Colman Model 4-4HRS, Hob Sharpener 4 Max OD, 4 Length REF#103
Fellows FH 200 Gear hobber, universal hobbing Machine REF#103

Barber Colman 6-10, CNC, CRt 5 Axis, 6 Dia, 10.5 travel, 6 DP REF#103
Barber Colman Hobber Type T REF#103
Barber Colman model #14-15 Gear Hobber, horizontal Heavy Duty REF#103
Barber Colman Model #16-36 GearHobber REF#103
Barber Colman Model #16-56, 16 dia, 56 Face, adj. Air Tailstock REF#103
Barber Colman Model 2.5-2 gear hobber, 2 length Manual Dresser REF#103
G&E Model 5.2 CNC Internal Gear gashing head REF#103
Jeil JDH-3, Gear hobber, Max Dia 31.5, 3DP, 22.8 Table Diameter REF#103
Jeil JDP-2, Gear hobber, Max Dia 26, 4 DP, 19.5 Table Dia, Differential and tailstock
REF#103
Liebherr ET 1802, Internal Gashing head, Fanuc 16i Control, 98Max dist 17 Face REF#103
Liebherr L-402 Gear hobbing Machine, New 1977 REF#103
Liebherr LC 752, 6 Axis CNC Hobber, Max OD 29.5, Max Face width 23.6 REF#103
Micron Model 120.01 w/bevel Cutting Attachment, New 1975, 1.6 dia, 25.4 DP REF#103
Nihon Kakai Model NTM-3000, Spline Hobbing Machine, Max dia 400mm, 3150mm between
Center REF#103
Pfauter P900 Reman and Recontrolled, Max OD 120 REF#103
Pfauter Model PE125 CNC Gear hobber REF#103
Pfauter model PE300 CNC, Max OD 12, Max gear face 15, 3 DP, 6 Axis REF#103
Reinecker Heavy Duty Gear Hobber REF#103
Scheiss Model RF10 Horizontal Hobber, 60 dia, 144 face, 180cc, 8 DP REF#103
G&E 96H, roughing & finishing 104 dia. REF#106
TOS FO-16 single index 80 dia. Yr 1980 REF#106
Craven spline & pinion hobber 36 x 96 REF#106
G & E 48H 48 dia. Diff, OB, change gears REF#106
Pfauter hobber P-1800 70 dia. 29 face yr 1980 REF#106
Lees Bradner 7VH, 8PD, 10 Face, , Magnetic Chip Conveyor , Hob Shift REF#107
Lees Bradner 7VH, 8PD, 4PD, Magnetic Chip Conveyor, Hob Shift REF#107
Mitsubishi Model GH300, 15.7, 3 DP, Differential, 2 Cut REF#107
Tos 32A, 320mm Gear Dia.,3.6 DP, Differential, 2 Cut REF#107
Gleason 775 8PD, High Helix Head, Infeed, Very Light Use REF#107
Barber C. 16-15, 7 Hob, Crowning, Differential, 2 Cut REF#107
Barber Colman 14-15, 2 Cut, Fast Approach, 4 Bore REF#107
Barber Colman 16-36, Type A Very Good, Double Thread Index REF#107
G & E Model 48HS 48PD, 18 Face, 2.5 DP REF#107

GEAR SHAPERS
FELLOWS #10-2, (10 Dia), 2 Face REF#102
FELLOWS #10-4, (10 Dia), 4 Face REF#102
FELLOWS (200) 10-4 / 10-2 Shapers REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 50-8 Hydrostroke Shaper s/n 36607 w/
6 axis 16iMB Fanuc (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 20-8 Hydrostroke Shaper s/n 35932 w/
6 axis 16iMB Fanuc (2009 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) #7 125A Face Gear Machine REF#102
FELLOWS (2) #3 Face Gear Machine REF#102
(1) 4ags with adjustable Helical Guide s/n 30634 REF#102
(1) #7 125A adjustable Helical Guide REF#102
FELLOWS (1) FS630-200 Hydrostroke Shaper s/n 36943 w/
6 axis 16iMB Fanuc (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (3) Tilt Table 10-4 / 10-2 w/ 4 axis 21i Fanuc
Controller (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (2) Swing-away center support for 10-2 / 10-4 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) FS630-170 Hydrostroke Shaper s/n 36732 w/
6 axis 16iMB Fanuc (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (2) FS400-170 Hydrostroke Shaper w/
6 axis 16iMB Fanuc (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (4) FS400-125 Hydrostroke Shaper w/ 6
axis 16iMB Fanuc (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 20-4 Shaper s/n 35687 w/ 4 axis
21i Fanuc Controller (2009) REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 48-8Z Shaper w/ 14 throated riser (53 of swing) REF#102
FELLOWS (1) Horizontal Z Shaper s/n 21261 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 4-B Steering Sector Gear Shaper w/ 18iMB
4 axis Fanuc controller s/n 34326 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 36-10 Gear Shaper REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 10x6 Horizontal Z Shaper REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 36-6 Gear Shaper w/ 13 riser s/n 27364 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 10-4 Shaper w/ 3 riser w/ 4 axis 21i
Fanuc Controller (2009) REF#102
All Parts for 10-4/10-2 Fellows Gear Shapers REF#102
FELLOWS #36-8, 36 Dia, 8 Face REF#103
FELLOWS #100-8 100 Dia, 8 Face REF#103
FELLOWS #612A, 615A, #645A REF#103
FELLOWS #10-4, 10 Dia, 4 Face, 4 DP REF#103
FELLOWS #4A Versa, 10 Dia, 3 Face, 4 DP, New 70s REF#103
FELLOWS #10-2, 10 Dia, 4 Face, 4 DP REF#103
FELLOWS #20-4, 20 Dia, 4 Face, 4 DP, 70s REF#103
FELLOWS #3-1,/3GS, 3 Max Dia, 1 Face, Pinion Supp, High Precision REF#103
FELLOWS #48-6 INTERNAL GEAR SHAPER ONLY,0-72"OD,6" Face REF#103
MAAG #SH-150, 57" Dia.12.6" Face REF#103

PFAUTER #SH-180 Shobber 7" capacity hobbing, 9.45" cap REF#103

FELLOWS #36-6 Max Dia 36 6 Face, 3 DP REF#103
FELLOWS #HORZ Z SHAPER, 10 x 6 Dia 27.6 Face 8.5 REF#103
FELLOWS #4GS & 4AGS, 6 Dia, 2 Face, 4DP, 68, Ref.# Several REF#103
FELLOWS #624A, 18 Max Dia, 5 Face REF#103
FELLOWS #7, #7A, #715,# 75A, #715, #725A, 7 Dia, 0-12 Risers,
Several Avail REF#103
MICHIGAN #18106 SHEAR-SPEED GEAR SHAPER,14" Dia, 6"Face REF#103
FELLOWS Model Z Shaper, 5" Stroke, 50s REF#103
STAEHELY SHS-605, Gear Shaper REF#103
FELLOWS #6, #6A, #61S, From 18-35 Dia, 0-12 Risers REF#103
FELLOWS #8AGS Vertical Gear Shaper, 8 Dia, 2 Face, 6-7 DP REF#103
TOS OHA50 CNC 5 20 Dia 5 Face REF#105
Fellows 36-6 Shaper (2) 12.5" Risers 6" Stroke Mint YR 1969 id 3616 REF#106
Fellows 36-6, shaper W/6 riser, change gears REF#106
Magg shaper SH4580-500S, 206dia. 26 face REF#106
Magg shaper SH250, 98 dia. 26 face REF#106
Fellows #10-4,7 riser yr 1980 REF#106
Fellows 3, 6, 7, 10, 18, 42, 100, Some CNC REF#107

GEAR DEBURRING/CHAMFERING/POINTING
CROSS #50 Gear Tooth Chamferer, 18 Dia, Single Spindle REF#103
REDIN #20D, 20 Dia, Twin Spindle, Deburrer/Chamfer REF#103
SAMPUTENSILI #SCT-3, Chamf/Deburrer, 14 Dia, 5 Face, 82 REF#103
SAMPUTENSILI #SM2TA Gear Chamfering Mach, 10 Max Dia, (3) New 96 REF#103
REDIN #24 CNC Dia 4 Setup Gear Deburring REF#103
CROSS #60 Gear Tooth Chamferer, 10 Dia, Single Spindle REF#103
FELLOWS #100-180/60 CNC Max Dia 180, Single Spindle REF#103
CIMTEC #50 Finisher REF#103
CROSS #54 Gear Deburrer, 30 Dia, 18 Face REF#103
RED RING #24 Twin Spindle Dia 4 REF#103
GLEASON GTR-250 VG CNC 5-Axis REF#103
Gleason- Hurth Model ZEA 4, Max Dia 250mm, Max Module 5mm REF#103
Redin Model 36 universal Chamfering and Deburring Machine, Max OD 36, Twin spindle,
Tilt table REF#103
Samputensili SCT3 13.7, SM2TA 10, (5), 2003 REF#107
Mitsubishi MA30 CNC, 11PD, Fanuc, Powermate, 1999 (2) REF#107

GEAR HONERS
Kapp #CX120 Coroning 4.7 Dia REF#103
Red Ring GHD-12, 12 Dia, 5.5 Stroke REF#103
Red Ring GHG, 12 Dia, 5.5 Stroke REF#103
Kapp #VAC65 Coroning 10 Dia REF#103

GEAR SHAVERS
Red Ring #GCX-24" Shaver, 24 Dia, 33 Stroke REF#103
Red Ring #GCU-12, 12 Dia, 5 Stroke REF#103
Red Ring #GCY-12, 12 Dia, 5 Stroke REF#103
Red Ring GCI 24, 12.75 Dia, 5 Stroke REF#103
Kanzaki model GSP 320 Gear shaver REF#103
Red Ring GCU 12 Crowning, 1956 to 1988 (6) REF#107
Mitsubishi FB30, 12.2 CNC Fanuc, 1997 REF#107
Sicmat Raso 100, CNC Fanuc 16M, New, Guarantee REF#107

GEAR GENERATORS
GLEASON #37 Str. Bevel Planer, 6 Dia REF#103
GLEASON #496 Straight.& Spiral. 7.5 Dia REF#103
GLEASON 725-Revacycle, 6 Dia REF#103
GLEASON 726-Revacycle, 5 Dia REF#103
Farrel Sykes Model 12C herringbone max dia 264, max face width 60 REF#103
Farrel Model 5B herringbone gear generator. REF#103
Gleason 529 gear quench press, Auto cycle 16 Diam, New 1980 REF#103
Gleason 614 hypoid finishing machine, 10.5 pitch, dia 5.25 Max cone dist REF#103
Oerlikon/klingelnburg Model C28, Max dia 320 mm, Max Module 7.5 mm REF#103
Gleason Model 26 Quench press and Hypoid Generator Max OD 16, Max face Width Air Cylinder
REF#103
Gleason Model 36 Gear Quenching Press, Max Ring 28 OD, 8 Face, Universal REF#103
Gleason Model 450 HC CNC Hypoid Cutter, Face width 2.6, fanuc 150 Controls REF#103
Gleason 24 Rougher, Gears, Finishing Tool Holder REF#107
12 Gleason, Gears, Gauges Tool Blocks REF#107
Gleason 116 Rougher & Finisher (6) REF#107
Gleason Phoenix 175HC CNC 1994 REF#107
Gleason 22 Rougher & Finisher (8) REF#107
Gleason 610 Combination Rougher & Finisher, 1988 REF#107
Gleason 608 & 609 Rougher & Finisher REF#107
Gleason 7A, 7PD Helical Motion, Gears & Cams REF#107
Gleason Cutters, 3 to 25 in stock, 1000 REF#107

GEAR GRINDERS
#27, #137, and #463 Gleason Hypoid Spiral Bevel gear grinder
generating Cams (2 full sets) REF#102
Springfield Vertical Grinder, 62" Table, #62AR/2CS, 3.5A Rail Type, 70" Swing REF#102
REISHAUER ZA, Gear Grinder, 13" Dia, 6" Face, Strait & Helix REF#103
GLEASON #463, 15 Dia REF#103
Hofler model Rapid 2000L, CNC Grinder, Max OD 78, CNC Dressing REF#103
Matrix model 78, Reman CNC Thread grinder, 24 Dia, 86 grind Length, 106 between centers REF#103
Mitsu Seiki Model GSW-1000 Gear Grinder REF#103
Reishauer RZ 362 AS, CNC Grinder, Max Dia 360mm REF#103
Sundstrand/Arter Model D12 Grinder REF#103
Teledyne-Landis Gear Roll Finishing Machine, 5 Diam, 42k lbs Rolling Force REF#103
Reishauer RZ301AS CNC, 13 Measuring System (3) REF#107
Reishauer ZB, 27.5 PD Gears, Coolant REF#107

GEAR RACK MILLERS/SHAPERS

MIKRON #134 Rack Shaper, 17.4" Length, 1.1" Width, 16.9 DP REF#103
SYKES VR-72 Vert Rack Shaper, 72" Cut Length, 4DP, 4" Stroke, 80 REF#103
Fellows 4 60 Rapid Traverse, 2 Cut REF#107

GEAR THREAD & WORM, MILLERS/GRINDERS

BARBER-COLMAN #10-40, 10" Dia., 40" Length, 4 DP REF#103
EXCELLO #31L, External Thread Grinder, 5" OD, 20" Grind Length REF#103
EXCELLO #33 Thread Grinder 6 Dia 18 Length REF#103
HURTH #KF-33A Multi-Purpose Auto-Milling Machine 88 REF#103
LEES BRADNER #HT12x102, Extra Large Capacity REF#103
LEES BRADNER #HT 12"x 144" Thread Mill, 12" Dia, REF#103
LEES BRADNER # LT 8 x 24 8 Dia REF#103
HOLROYD 5A 24.8 Dia REF#103 LEES BRADBER WORM MILLER REF#103
Dranke CNC Internal Ball Nut Grinder REF#107

GEAR TESTERS/CHECKERS (INCL CNC)

FELLOWS (1) RL-600 Roll Tester s/n 35814 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 24H Lead Checker s/n 32289 REF#102
GLEASON (1) #14 Tester s/n 31907 REF#102
GLEASON (1) #6 Tester s/n 19316 REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 20 M Roller Checker REF#102
FELLOWS (1) 20 M w/ 30 Swing Roller Checker REF#102
FELLOWS (1) #8 Micaodex s/n 36279 REF#102
David Brown #24 Worm Tester REF#103
Gleason #4, #6, #13 and #17 Testers REF#103
Hofler EMZ-2602 Int/Ext Gear Tester 102 REF#103
Klingelnberg #PFSU-1600 Gear Tester-2001 REF#103
Kapp Hob Checker WM 410 REF#103
Maag #ES-430 Gear Tester REF#103
Maag #SP-130 Lead and Involute Tester REF#103
National Broach Gear Tester GSJ-12 REF#103
Oerlikon #ST2-004 Soft Tester REF#103
Maag #SP-60- Electronic Tester REF#103
Parkson #42N Worm Gear Tester REF#103
Vinco Dividing Head Optical Inspection REF#103
Gleason model 511 Hypoid tester Max Dia 20, max spindle centerline 3.5 REF#103
Klingelnberg Model PFSU-1600 63 Dia, 1.02 DP, Rebuilt REF#103
MAAG ES401 Pitch tester With Process Computer REF#103
Fellows 12 & 24M Involute, 12 & 24 Lead REF#107
Fellows 36 Space Tester, Hot Pen Guaranteed REF#107
Gleason 17A Running or Rebuilt Guaranteed REF#107
Gleason 511, 20 Reconditioned in 2010 Guaranteed REF#107
Gleason 27, 26, Guaranteed REF#107
Gleason 515, 24 REF#107
Gleason 523, 20 Reconditioned, 2010 REF#107

MISCELLANEOUS
WARNER & SWAYSEY #4A M-3580 Turret Lathe, 28 1/4 Swing, 80 Centers, 12 Spindle Hole
50/25 Motors, 480/3 Phase, Year 1965 REF#101
Springfield Vertical Grinder, 62" Table, #62AR/2CS, 3.5A Rail Type, 70" Swing REF#102
GLEASON #529 Quench, 16" Diameter REF#103
Klingelnberg Model LRK-631 Gear Lapper REF#103
VERTICAL TURNING LATHES AND MORE - Please Check Our
Website To View Our Entire Inventory REF#103
TOS SU & SUS Series Conv Lathes REF#105
TOS SUA Series CNC Flat-Bed Lathes REF#105
Change gears for G & E hobber REF#106

FEBRUARY 2015

53

KOROfor Quality

Hob Sharpening Service

Quick Turnaround 2 Day Service

MARKET

Spur Shaper Cutter Sharpening

HSS & Carbide Hob with center hole
and straight flutes
Thin Film Coatings
Length up to 7 inches

PLACE

Manufacturing excellence through

quality, integration, materials,
maintenance, education, and speed.

Diameter up
to 5 Inches
Precise rake
and spacing guaranteed
to AGMA standards
RUSH SERVICE AVAILABLE
Koro Sharpening Service
9530 85th Ave North
Maple Grove, MN 55369
763-425-5247
info@koroind.com

SHARP HOBS
Change Downtime To Productivity

You Need Your Tools Back FAST

Eliminating Downtime &
Tuned To Meet or Surpass
Original Design Specs
and Thats Where We Come In

Stripping & Re-Coating

Gear Shaper Sharpening
Milling Cutter Sharpening
Gear Tool Certifications

Tel: 216-642-5900 Fax: 216-642-8837 5755 Canal Road Valley View, OH 44125
Email: gallen@gallenco.com WWW.GALLENCO.COM

Tooth
Finishing

Technology Experts

Custom gear racks in AMERICAN and

METRIC standards, STRAIGHT and
HELICAL, VARIOUS materials, FINE
and COARSE pitch (254 D.P. 0.5 D.P.;
0.10 Module 50 Module); hard-cut
(up to 60 Rc) and soft-cut (up to 40
Rc); 32 face width; Up to 82 lengths
longer lengths through resetting
Custom gears in AMERICAN and
METRIC standards (3 D.P. 72 D.P.,
10 Diameter)
Precision Quality up to AGMA 12
Prototype & Production quantities
Breakdown Service Available
Reverse Engineering
Unique Tooth Configurations
Heat Treating
Complete CNC Machining
RETROFITTING REBUILDING CUSTOM MACHINES

www.newenglandgear.com
p. 860-223-7778

54

gearsolutions.com

Geared to make things move.

sales@kapp-usa.com
www.kapp-niles.com

ADVERTISER
INDEX
COMPANYNAME

PAGE NO.

ALD Thermal Treatment Inc.................................................................30

All Metals & Forge Group.....................................................................37
Allen Adams Shaper Services Inc........................................................54
Bourn & Koch Inc.................................................................................55
Circle Gear & Machine Co Inc..............................................................55
Encoder Products Co...........................................................................47
Engineered Tools Corp.........................................................................16
Gleason Corp.......................................................................................25
Hilco Industrial LLC..............................................................................12
Index Technologies..............................................................................54
Ingersoll Cutting Tools.............................................................9,11,13,15
Innovative Rack & Gear........................................................................54
Ipsen International................................................................................21
KAPP Technologies....................................................................... IFC,54
KISSsoft USA LLC...............................................................................10
Koro Sharpening Service.....................................................................54
Lawler Gear Corp.................................................................................54
Lufkin (Part of GE Oil & Gas)................................................................43
Luren Precision Co Ltd........................................................................35

CIRCLEGEAR and MACHINE

STRAIGHT BEVEL

Machine Tool Builders..........................................................................48

McInnes Rolled Rings..........................................................................31

.25 to 34 Diameter

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Inc............................................BC

32 DP to 1.5 DP

New England Gear............................................................................7,54

GEARS

.5 Module to 16 Module

P&G Machine & Supply Co Inc.......................................................36,54

Pentagear Products.............................................................................46
Proto Manufacturing............................................................................40
Raycar Gear & Machine Co.................................................................51

SPIRAL

BEVEL GEARS

Repair Parts Inc....................................................................................47

.25 to 33 Diameter

RP Machine Enterprises Inc...............................................................IBC

32 DP to 2 DP

Russell, Holbrook & Henderson Inc.....................................................41

.5 Module to 12 Module

Solar Atmospheres.................................................................................2
Southern Gear & Machine....................................................................14
STD Precision Gear & Instrument Inc..................................................36
Stor-Loc................................................................................................41

Since 1951 Circle Gear has served

Chicago land as a full service gear
manufacturing facility. In addition
to bevel gears Circle Gear also
provides spur gears, helical gears,
herringbone gears, worm and gear
sets, internal gears, splines, racks
and sprockets.

The Broach Masters Inc.........................................................................4

TMFM LLC...........................................................................................12
Toolink Engineering Inc..........................................................................1
United Tool Supply...............................................................................10

FEBRUARY 2015

55

Q&A

Marvin Nicholson
President and Founder
Pentagear Products LLC

Would you please provide a brief history of

your company?
I started my career in the gear industry in 1983,
and I created Pentagear in 2005. I had been
working in the gauging industry for many years.
However, I always felt that there was better way to
design the products than what I was using. There
was nothing wrong with them, but I felt that
there was just a better way to do it. For example,
we have a digital display. I developed a digital
display that was web-based. You can put data in
the digital read out, and you can extract data.
I wanted to take that to the next step because
everything is about data. The more we collect,
the more we can control our process. So, I started
developing that product. I was putting it on other
machines, but realized that I really didnt like the
way they did things because they relied heavily on
the operator to mechanically move it in and take
a measurement. I thought that I could automate
this so that the operator just pushes a button and
have it come in to measure the parts. That means
consistency and repeatability. It really takes the
gauge to an objective position.
We also developed roll testers and double
flank systems, again with that same process by
looking at what was out there and how we could
improve on it. With our double flank systems,
many customers have to record the pressure that
theyre pushing against the two gears. In the past,
they would have to use hand gauges to measure
that force. So, I found a company in Virginia,
and they integrated that into the system so that
I could document that information electronically
and allow you to change it. Its very accurate and
calibrated. It has integrated the system. Its not
just something a guy is holding by hand.
In 2012, Process Equipment Company made
an offer for me to come run their gear division.
Part of that deal was that they purchased my
products because they saw the synergies. Process
Equipment made an analytical gear machine, and
I was making what I call functional gauges.
Theyre shop gauges. Theyre in the floor, and
theyre doing day-to-day operations.
So, I came to Process Equipment, and we
continued building my gauges as well as their

own gauges, and we integrated that entire process

inside the division at Process Equipment. Then,
in June 2014, the owner of Process Equipment
decided he didnt want to be in the gear business
anymore, and I made him an offer. They
accepted, and I purchased that product line from
them. I moved to our current location in Ohio,
maintained all of my current employees, and
we are making products. We are manufacturing
new Analytical Gear Inspection machines as well
as REPOWERING, or remanufacturing our
competitors machines.
What made you want to start your own
company?
I started my career at John Deere, and I worked
there for 10 years. Then, I went to work for
Reishauer until 1989, and then Klingelnberg
hired me, and I became the product manager
of the bevel division there. Then, I started my
first company, Nicholson Gear, and I started
representing big companies. I liked the fact that
I worked for myself, and I had the opportunity
to develop what I wanted. My two sons work
for me now, Joshua and Shaun. One is a service
engineer, and the other is a sales engineer. Its a
family business, for sure. I treat my 10 employees
like family. We sit down and discuss the positives
and negatives of what were doing, and everybody
in the company is aware of our overall goal.
What would your customers say about your
company, and how can people benefit from
doing business with Pentagear?
For me, business is personal. Finding the
customers solution to their specific problem is a
quest, and its what drives me to keep developing
improvements and new products. Im committed
to stay with them to insure that they have 100%
satisfaction. Being a family company, they know
Im attainable. If my customer brings a good
idea to me, hell benefit from that because Ill
incorporate that into our product. The thing that
I possess that people really get is that Im really
passionate about my craft. Its a privilege that Ive
been able to work in this business that challenges
me every day to think through a process and

try to develop a better way to

analyze and create a solution for
a customer. Were also a veteranowned company. Im a veteran,
my oldest son is a veteran, and
so is my wife. My wife and I
have been married 37 years, and
we have raised eight children.
So, we understand the value of
family and commitment.
What are some new products
you have coming out this
year?
We have a new double-flank
tester that is extremely robust
and is controlled by the digital
readout I mentioned before.
In the past, this was only done
with a computer. The problem
with the computer on the floor,
environmentally, it is designed to
fail. Its got a hard drive, a fan,
software, and virusesanything
can happen. So, we use this
digital readout where its all an
embedded system. So, when an
operator runs this part, he really
just needs a pass or a fail. He
doesnt need a fancy report every
time. Again, we start with a really
strong system from the design up.
This is a gauge thats going to last
20-30 years, at least.
The REPOWERING of our
competitors machine bases has
offered an alternative solution to
our customers. We are excited to
provide the service and solutions
our customers require.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Pentagear Products website at www.gearinspection.com or call (937) 660-8182.

56

gearsolutions.com

G&E

Gould & Eberhardt is a pioneer in

highspeed gear gashing with large
diameter carbide-inserted cutters. Our
new line of machines has a rigid design
and heads engineered with state of the
art gear gashing cutter technology. The
exceptional results achieved in gear
gashing technology have opened a wide
range of applications for gear cutting in
wind energy, mining, off highway
construction, and other coarse pitch
gearing.

TTi

Since its establishment in 1972, Tokyo Technical Instruments Inc.

(TTi) has been dedicated to the manufacturing of gear measuring
instruments. We are proud to be the official North American
distributor of this extensive line of inspection equipment. The TTi
line of gear inspection equipment can be found in manufacturing
facilities all over the world, proven to be high quality and long
lasting machines. TTi maintains their products from the
development of the program software to the aftercare
maintenance. With patented software and components, the TTi
product line is sure to become the industry leader.

866.256.3708
F: 704.872.5777

820 Cochran Street Statesville, NC 28677

sales@rpmachine.com www.rpmachine.com

The

Mitsubishi

E Series
GE

GEAR HOBBERS

FE

GEAR SHAVERS

SE

GEAR SHAPERS

The Truth be Told

E Could Stand For:
Excellence.
Extraordinary.
Extreme, etc...
and one would be forgiven for
thinking so, because these
descriptions certainly represent
the Mitsubishi machines which
contain this letter in their model
name. However, the simple truth is
that the letter E denotes that these
machines are the latest iterations of
the models which carry it. The SE
gear shapers, GE gear hobbers, FE
gear shavers and ZE gear grinders
epitomize the development of the
process technology they have been
designed for and so aptly carry out.
Research and Development is not
just a glib phrase at Mitsubishi; it is a
philosophy that the company stands
by to stay ahead of its competition
and to ensure continuing profitability
and the profitability of its customers.
Yes, E could stand for many things
but with continuous striving for
perfection and intense R & D,
the E simply means it is as good
as it gets. Period.
To personally experience the
world-class performance of the
Mitsubishi E Series of machines
visit mitsubishigearcenter.com
or contact sales 248-669-6136.

Machine Tool Division Gear Technology Center

46992 Liberty Drive Wixom, MI 48393

mitsubishigearcenter.com

ZE

GEAR GRINDERS