Abstract: A method of truing cutting tools of the type comprising a plurality of stick-type cutting blades releasably secured in a cutter head, the cutting blades having a cutting edge and a cutting side relief surface oriented at a predetermined relief angle. The method comprises mounting a cutting tool to the spindle of a truing apparatus having a cutting tool spindle and a measuring probe with the probe capable of being moved along a first direction defining probe offset travel and along a second direction defining in/out feed motion of the probe. The cutting side relief surface of the cutting blade is positioned with respect to the probe whereby the cutting side relief surface is substantially parallel to the direction of probe offset travel. The cutting side surface of the cutting blade is probed and the position reading is recorded.

Abstract: A method of machining one or more tooth slots in a bevel gear-shaped workpiece with a cup-shaped tool having one or more stock removing surfaces. The method comprises indexing the workpiece by rotation about a workpiece axis to bring one of the tooth slots to a final machining position. Simultaneously with at least a portion of the indexing, positioning the tool to contact the workpiece to commence machining the slot and infeeding the tool during the indexing while moving the tool with the indexing workpiece to maintain the tool positioned in the slot. The infeeding, movement of the tool, and indexing continuing at least until the final machining position is achieved.

Abstract: Workholding apparatus for mounting a workpiece (6) on a machine tool, the apparatus comprising a diaphragm chuck portion (2) and a tailstock portion (4). The chuck (2) includes a backing ring (70) with face portion (74) attached to the diaphragm (44) with the backing ring (70) having a centering locator guide (76) for centering and stopping the axial advancement of a workpiece in the chuck (2). The chuck (2) also includes a support ring (106) including material (109) located at the periphery thereof for sealing the area between the chuck and the workpiece and dampening vibrations brought about by the machining process. The tailstock portion (4) comprises a rotatable tailstock support (112) having at least one workpiece seating surface (117). The tailstock includes a centering locator guide (114) extending axially from the tailstock support (112) and having a generally curved outer surface (115) for centering the workpiece in the chuck (2).

Abstract: A method of evaluating a toothed workpiece for machining according to a predetermined machining process. A workpiece spindle is rotated to bring selected leading and/or trailing tooth flanks each into a predetermined position relative to a probe to generate a signal indicative of the instantaneous rotational position of the spindle and the instantaneous rotational spindle positions corresponding to each generated signal are recorded. Theoretical spindle positions corresponding to each selected tooth flank are provided, and the difference between respective recorded spindle positions and the theoretical spindle positions for each selected tooth flank is calculated to yield a measured error value. The maximum and minimum measured error values for leading tooth flanks and/or trailing tooth flanks are selected and a maximum accumulated pitch variation (P.sub.V) is calculated for the leading tooth flanks and/or trailing tooth flanks. The maximum accumulated pitch variation (P.sub.

Abstract: A method for determining the suitability of workpieces for machining. A workpiece is probed with a non-contact type sensor to produce a voltage reading corresponding to the mass of the workpiece. The reading is compared to a tolerance voltage range based on the mass of a reference workpiece and from this comparison it is determined whether the workpiece is an uncut or cut workpiece and if it is appropriate to machine the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of dressing a threaded grinding wheel comprising rotating the grinding wheel and dressing tool about their respective axes and bringing the tool into contact with a point on a flank of the grinding thread. The dressing tool is traversed along the width of the grinding wheel with the dressing tool maintaining contact with the point during the traversing to remove stock material at the point on the flank along the width of the grinding wheel. The method includes controlling the amount of stock material removed by the dressing tool during the traversing at the point whereby different amounts of stock may be removed in different axial sections along the grinding wheel width at the point thus varying the grinding profile at each section at the point of contact. The tool is traversed at successive points along the grinding thread profile to produce a different grinding profile at each section of the grinding wheel. A method of grinding spur and helical gears is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of feeding a tool to a predetermined depth in a workpiece in a machining process for producing at least one tooth surface on the workpiece. The workpiece being rotatable about a work axis and the tool being rotatable about a tool axis and includes at least one stock removing surface, The method comprises rotating the tool about the tool axis and contacting the rotating tool and the workpiece. The tool is fed relative to the workpiece along a feedpath to the predetermined depth wherein at least a portion of the feedpath is defined by a feed vector comprising at least first and second feed vector components. The first and second feed vector components are positioned in a plane defined by the work axis and the direction of the tool axis with the first feed vector component being substantially in the direction of the tool axis and the second feed vector component being substantially in the direction of the face width of the workpiece.

Abstract: A front-loading rotary ring cutter for face milling or face hobbing processes wherein the cutter ring is secured to the cutter head by means which eliminate the need to remove the entire cutter assembly from the spindle of a machine tool when changing cutter rings. Preferably the cutter ring includes a radially inward extending base portion through which mounting screws may pass to engage the cutter head for securing the cutter ring to the cutter head. The cutter assembly may also include an adapter plate for attaching the rotary cutter to a machine spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for applying marking compound to the tooth surfaces of a gear or pinion member (14). The apparatus comprises a brush (42) having a central shaft (82) and a plurality of bristles (44) emanating from the shaft (82) with the brush (42) being rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the shaft (82). The apparatus also includes a cover plate (49) and a marking compound manifold (48) adjacent to the brush (42) comprising an inlet (92) in a first side of the manifold (48), an inner distribution chamber (94) communicating with the inlet (92), and a plurality of outlets (96) in a second side of the manifold (48) communicating with the inner chamber (94), the outlets (96) facing the bristles (44) of the brush (42). The apparatus (40) further includes means (52, 54) to move the brush (42) and manifold (48) from a first position remote from the gear or pinion (14) to a second position wherein the bristles (44) engage the tooth surfaces of the gear or pinion (14).

Abstract: A method for the precision working of the tooth flanks of gear-shaped workpieces with an abrasive internally toothed tool wherein the tool, after each workpiece or after several workpieces, is dressed in the same mounting with a dressing wheel, the tooth system of which corresponds with the one of the gear-shaped workpiece and the tooth flanks of which are covered with extremely hard grinding granules. To improve the tool geometry the dressing of the internally toothed tool is done with a one-flank or a two-flank contact between the dressing wheel and the internally toothed tool and with an electronic forced guiding of the rolling and relative movements between the dressing wheel and the internally toothed tool, and, the precision working in the free or in the torque guided two-flank engagement between the internally toothed tool and the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for the precision machining of flanks of gear-wheel-shaped workpieces, in particular those with convex teeth, using an internally toothed tool with crossed axes, in which simultaneous relative movements take place not only in three mutually perpendicular axes but also around an axis perpendicular to the cross-axes angle such that not only the tooth flanks of the tool and the workpiece have tangential contact with one another but also the base body of the tool and of the workpiece touch one another at a point of contact IV of which the position changes continuously, and a straight line g orthogonally penetrating the base body of the tool and the base body of the workpiece at the point of contact not only intersects the axis C.sub.1 of the workpiece or of its base body and the axis C.sub.2 of the tool or its base body (points III, II), but also passes through the center I of an ideal sphere K.sub.1 which adapts itself to the base body of the workpiece at the point of contact IV.

Abstract: A method of determining backlash wherein one member of a gearset is rotated in a first direction and rotary positions are recorded at predetermined increments. The rotary positions of the other member of the gearset are recorded simultaneously with those of the one member. The direction of rotation of the one member is reversed and rotary positions are recorded at the same increments while simultaneously recording the rotary positions of the other member. The difference in recorded positions for the other member are calculated thus representing the amount of gearset backlash.

Abstract: A method of determining a contact pattern representative of the contact patterns on successive gear teeth. The method comprises providing a first digital image comprising actual drive side or coast side tooth surfaces comprising contact patterns of a plurality of successive gear teeth, and, providing a second digital image comprising one of respective drive side or coast side theoretically correct tooth surfaces of the same successive gear teeth. Each theoretically correct tooth surface is represented by a matrix grid comprising a plurality of grid elements. The theoretically correct tooth surfaces are superimposed on the respective actual tooth surfaces image to congruently match the actual tooth surfaces image to the respective theoretically correct tooth surfaces. The grid elements of each theoretically correct tooth surface which contain at least a portion of a contact pattern image are then identified.

Abstract: Apparatus capable of performing wet and dry machining processes such as a hobbing machine for producing spur and helical gears, shafts, splines, and the like, by wet and dry hobbing methods. The apparatus comprises means to remove metal chips resulting from the wet and dry machining processes from the apparatus via respective independent wet and dry chip outlets. The chip removal means comprises a transfer means located in the machine base with the transfer means being reversible in direction in order to convey metal chips, emanating from the machining process, to the respective wet or dry chip outlet. The chip removal means enables metal chips from wet machining processes to be conveyed to and discharged from an outlet in one side surface and metal chips from dry machining processes to be conveyed to and discharged from an outlet in another side surface.

Abstract: A method of dressing a threaded grinding wheel comprising rotating the grinding wheel and dressing tool about their respective axes and bringing the tool into contact with a point on a flank of the grinding thread. The dressing tool is traversed along the width of the grinding wheel with the dressing tool maintaining contact with the point during the traversing to remove stock material at the point on the flank along the width of the grinding wheel. The method includes controlling the amount of stock material removed by the dressing tool during the traversing at the point whereby different amounts of stock may be removed in different axial sections along the grinding wheel width at the point thus varying the grinding profile at each section at the point of contact. The tool is traversed at successive points along the grinding thread profile to produce a different grinding profile at each section of the grinding wheel. A method of grinding spur and helical gears is also disclosed.

Abstract: A front-loading rotary ring cutter for face milling or face hobbing processes wherein the cutter ring is secured to the cutter head by means which eliminate the need to remove the entire cutter assembly from the spindle of a machine tool when changing cutter rings. Preferably the cutter ring includes a radially inward extending base portion through which mounting screws may pass to engage the cutter head for securing the cutter ring to the cutter head. The cutter assembly may also include an adapter plate for attaching the rotary cutter to a machine spindle.

Abstract: A lapping compound mixing and supply system wherein lapping compound is recirculated to the mixing vessel when not supplied to the lapping chamber of a machine tool such as a gear lapping machine. Lapping compound is pumped at about a first range of pump speeds to the lapping chamber, however, when no lapping is being performed, lapping compound is pumped at about a second, decreased range of pump speeds through a recirculating conduit and introduced into the mixing vessel along the conical bottom surface of the vessel. The introduction of lapping compound in this manner, along with the action of an rotating impeller in the vessel, provides improved mixing of the lapping compound and homogenizes the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A method of sharpening face-sharpened cutting blades for gears and the like comprising engaging a rotating grinding wheel and the cutting blade in a manner whereby the grinding wheel traverses across the cutting face along a grinding path wherein at least a portion of the grinding path is defined by a feed vector directed generally toward the cutting edge, with respect to the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel. The feed vector comprises components of (1) a first axis located in the sharpening plane and extending substantially perpendicular to the top of the cutting face, and, (2) a second axis located in the sharpening plane with the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Preferably, the feed vector is directed perpendicular to the cutting edge.

Abstract: A method of sharpening cutting blades of the type made from bar stock type material, the method comprising producing relief surfaces on the cutting profile surface. The method comprises forming first and second relief surfaces on the cutting profile surface. The first relief surface extends from a location inward of the cutting edge to the back face and is oriented at a first relief angle with respect to a side surface. The second relief surface extends from the cutting edge to the first relief surface and is oriented at a second relief angle with respect to the side surface with the second relief angle being smaller than the first relief angle. The cutting blades may comprise a uniform cross-section and the cutting profile may include a protuberant portion adjacent the top surface of the cutting blades.

Abstract: A universal cutting blade blank and cutting blades formed therefrom. The front face of the blank and blade comprises a pair of mounting surfaces with a front rake surface and connecting surface located therebetween. The cutting blade formed from the blade blank is more stable in a cutter head during cutting operations such as in the production of gears and related toothed articles. A single cutting blade blank can be used for forming inside and outside cutting blades regardless of the direction of cutter rotation.