Gear Production
Issue link: http://gear.epubxp.com/i/556595
14—GEAR Production Supplement F E A T U R E By Mike Finn | Development Engineer, Mazak Corp. T oday's multitasking machines continue to command a presence in the world of gear cutting as viable processing alternatives for low-to medium-volume production. What started with fve-axis cutting of larger-diameter ring gear sets has now ratcheted up to power skiving gears using the highly synchronized rotation of a multi- tasking machine's milling spindle and C axis. Cutting Gears with Multitasking Machines Multitasking machines provide an excellent point of entry for machine shops interested in adding gear manufacturing to their list of capabilities, including power skiving. Flexibility is the main beneft provided by multitasking machines, allow- ing shops to turn a part's ID and OD and to cut other mating features. Unlike high-volume dedicated skiving systems, multitasking machines provide the fexibility to perform other part operations. For instance, shops can turn a part's ID and OD as well as cut its other mating features, and all on the same machine that will also power skive the part's gear tooth pattern. This signifcantly improves overall part accuracy because all the machined