Bevel Gear Slide Rolling With Reduced Roll Angle Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the production of straight bevel gears, the use of single rotary disc cutters leads to high part temperature, poor cutting performance, and low tool life due to severe chip removing loads on the blade tips, primarily because of the necessity to cut on both sides of the blades, including the clearance side, which is not optimally suited for chip removal.

Innovation Solution

The method involves reducing the workpiece roll angle during the generating process to minimize or eliminate cutting action on the clearance side of the rotary disc cutter, allowing the cutting action to focus on the sharp edge, thereby reducing chip load on the dull clearance side and extending tool life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single rotary disc cutter is used to cut both sides of the blade, then the device complexity is reduced, but the tool life decreases due to severe chip removing loads on the blade tips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutter configurationVSAvoidtool life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the cutting process into two distinct phases: a plunging phase for slot formation and a generating roll phase for tooth flank generation. This segmentation allows each phase to use optimized cutting parameters and motions, reducing the severe chip removing loads that previously occurred when a single cutter attempted to perform both functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic motion control by implementing a generating roll motion where the workpiece and cutter rotate relative to each other with a specific roll angle. This dynamic motion transforms the static severe loading condition into a controlled generating process that reduces chip load on blade tips, thereby extending tool life while maintaining the single cutter configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the cutter cuts on both sides including the clearance side, then the productivity is maintained, but the part temperature increases due to poor cutting performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidpart temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by using the plunging motion to create the tooth slot and remove the bulk of material before the generating roll phase begins. This preliminary material removal reduces the subsequent chip load during the generating phase, improving cutting performance and reducing part temperature while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The generating roll motion creates a periodic cutting action where the cutter and workpiece rotate in a coordinated manner. This periodic motion allows for controlled chip removal with reduced contact time and lower temperatures compared to continuous severe cutting, while still achieving the required material removal for tooth flank generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Manufacturing precision

If the clearance side of the blade is used for cutting, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the tool life decreases due to severe chip removing loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetooth flank accuracyVSAvoidtool life
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by using different cutting modes for different parts of the blade. The sharp cutting edge is used for the plunging phase where heavy material removal is needed, while the generating roll phase uses a reduced roll angle to minimize clearance side contact. This localized optimization allows the clearance side to participate in cutting only when necessary for precision, while protecting the blade tips from severe loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the roll angle parameter during the generating process to optimize the balance between manufacturing precision and tool life. By reducing the roll angle, the clearance side cutting action is minimized, reducing chip load on blade tips and extending tool life while still achieving the required tooth flank accuracy through the controlled generating motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the occurrence of clearance side cutting, leading to lower part temperatures, improved cutting performance, and increased tool life by ensuring that only the sharp cutting edges handle the majority of the chip removal, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the gear-cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

a generating process for producing bevel gears and employing a single rotary disc cutter wherein a portion of the generating cutting process effectively includes a reduction of the workpiece roll angle during generating thereby reducing or eliminating cutting action on the clearance side of the rotary disc cutter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCutting action: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2958698B1Slide rolling process for the generation of bevel gears
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 THE GLEASON WORKS
  • EP2958698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2958698B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2958698B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Generating cutting processes for producing bevel gears and employing a single rotary disc cutter (36) wherein a portion of the generating cutting process effectively includes a reduction (38) of the workpiece roll angle (40) during generating thereby reducing or eliminating cutting action on the clearance side (42) of the rotary disc cutter.