Toothed Workpiece Machining with Offset Dressing Axes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for fine machining geared workpieces with conical flank modifications are costly and require high effort due to the need for separate dressing tools and complex axis adjustments, resulting in restricted freedom of movement and increased surface roughness.

Innovation Solution

The method involves arranging the toothing axes of the fine machining tool and dressing tool in a reduced axis distance offset relative to the maximum axis distance, allowing for conical flank modifications with improved surface quality by superimposing movement components parallel and orthogonal to the axis, and using a cylindrically toothed dressing tool for efficient flank geometry mapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a suitably modified dressing tool is used to achieve conical flank modifications, then the desired flank geometry is obtained, but the production cost increases and multiple dressing tools are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflank geometryVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by offsetting the toothing axis of the dressing tool from the toothing axis of the fine machining tool by a predetermined distance. This axial offset parameter modification enables a cylindrically toothed dressing tool to produce conical flank modifications on the fine machining tool, eliminating the need for complex modified dressing tools or multiple tools for different flank geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If corresponding relative adjustments and additional movements of the toothing axes are made to achieve flank modifications, then the desired geometry is obtained, but the controlling effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflank modificationsVSAvoidcontrolling effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-setting a fixed axial offset between the dressing tool toothing axis and the fine machining tool toothing axis before the dressing operation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments and additional movements during machining, simplifying the control system while achieving the desired conical flank modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If longitudinal honing with lifting movement is performed, then better surface quality is achieved, but the freedom of movement is restricted by interfering contours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidfreedom of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing an axial offset dimension between the dressing tool and fine machining tool axes. This creates a new degree of freedom in the dressing setup, allowing conical flank modifications to be achieved without requiring longitudinal lifting movements, thereby maintaining freedom of operation even when interfering contours are present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3022001B1Method and device for fine machining a toothed workpiece, and program for controlling said device
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 THE GLEASON WORKS
  • EP3022001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3022001B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3022001B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for fine machining a toothed workpiece using a toothed fine machining tool (10) which meshes with the workpiece. In order to achieve conically modified tooth flanks, the method and the device are designed according to the invention such that the fine machining tool (10) and the dressing tool (11) are arranged in a position with a reduced axial spacing (a) relative to each other during a dressing process, said reduced axial spacing position being offset in comparison to a maximum axial spacing position.