Page 406 - Gear Technology Solutions

tion job variety. The third step is devoted to the calculation of altered cutting
depths and machine settings which will ensure the correct slot width of each of
the consolidated jobs and minimize flank form errors caused by the compro-
mised blade geometry.

The process of cutter head consolidation is based on several key elements
which make the virtual cutter head, in its consolidation success, a quantum
leap in bevel gear cutter head technology. The key elements are:

Figure 6: Simplified flow chart of three step approach

• First parameter analysis and selection of temporary master
• Communize all cutter reference heights (linked to the master blade de-
dendum)

• Calculate the required amounts of axial cutter correction to achieve cor-
rect tooth thicknesses in preparation of the virtual cutter definition

• Virtual cutter blade pressure angles of pinion inside and outside blades
as well as gear inside and outside blades average the respective angles
on the respective blades of all consolidation cutters. An alternative pos-
sibility is to use the blade angles of the cutter which is the closest to av-
erage.

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