Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Techniques for Optimum Preform and Finish Forging of Spiral Bevel Gears. Phase 2

Abstract
In Phase II of this program, spiral bevel gear forging dies were designed and manufactured using the CAD/CAM technique, developed in Phase I. Three series of forging trials were conducted. During the first series of trails, the technological aspects of the forging procedure such as heating, lubrication, billet temperature and cooling were established. During the second series of forging trials 20 gears were forged with a 0.007 inch machining allowance on both sides of the tooth surfaces. These near net forged gears were subsequently machined with a single machining operation using a Gleason spiral gear cutting machine. The third series of trials were conducted to forge 20 gears with net teeth dimensions. The dimensional accuracy of the forged gears were evaluated using a computer controlled coordinate measuring machine, manufactured by Zeiss of W. Germany. The results of these measurements illustrated that the teeth dimensions of forged gears were within the tolerances expected and as predicted by the CAD/CAM techniques, developed in this program. This project was successful in: (a) developing the methodology of CAD/CAM procedures for manufacturing the dies (via EDM) for forging spiral bevel gears. (b) demonstrating that precision forging of spiral bevel gears is a practical production technique.