Abstract: A method directed to gear cutting tools and gear cutter job consolidation resulting in a single cutter capable of cutting a plurality of different members of a part family. The method comprises a multi-step approach comprising a first step of defining a temporary master. A second step creates a virtual master which is especially well-suited for accommodating the requirements of the jobs in the consolidation variety. A third step determines cutting depths and optimized machine settings for all consolidation jobs using the virtual master.

Abstract: A gear cutting tool wherein each cutting blade group includes two differently positioned but identical cutting blades (41, 40) such as an one outside and one inside blade. The inventive blade arrangement only requires a single type of blade (30) in order to simultaneously cut the convex and the concave tooth flanks of a gear as well as the root fillet and root bottom portions of tooth slots. The cutter system allows radial adjustment of the outside cutting blade and the inside cutting blade independently of one another. Additionally, inside and outside cutting blades may be exchanged with one another.

Abstract: A method of grinding 3-face ground cutting blades for producing gears by a face hobbing cutting process wherein the correct initial blade spacing angle ? is achieved while providing the desired values for the effective cutting edge hook angle and the effective side rake angle as well as providing a complete cutting blade front face clean-up.

Abstract: A method directed to gear cutting tools and gear cutter job consolidation resulting in a single cutter capable of cutting a plurality of different members of a part family. The method comprises a multi-step approach comprising a first step of defining a temporary master. A second step creates a virtual master which is especially well-suited for accommodating the requirements of the jobs in the consolidation variety. A third step determines cutting depths and optimized machine settings for all consolidation jobs using the virtual master.

Abstract: A cutter head (4, 6) having a lock spring (30) utilized with an adjustment screw (16) for preventing the adjustment screw from loosening during machining. Once positioned by turning the adjustment screw, a cutting blade (8) will not change position in a mounting slot (10) due to a loosening adjustment screw.

Abstract: A gear cutting tool wherein each cutting blade group includes two differently positioned but identical cutting blades (41, 40) such as an one outside and one inside blade. The inventive blade arrangement only requires a single type of blade (30) in order to simultaneously cut the convex and the concave tooth flanks of a gear as well as the root fillet and root bottom portions of tooth slots. The cutter system allows radial adjustment of the outside cutting blade and the inside cutting blade independently of one another. Additionally, inside and outside cutting blades may be exchanged with one another.

Abstract: A method of grinding 3-face ground cutting blades for producing gears by a face hobbing cutting process wherein the correct initial blade spacing angle ? is achieved while providing the desired values for the effective cutting edge hook angle and the effective side rake angle as well as providing a complete cutting blade front face clean-up.

Abstract: A bevel gear manufacturing face cutter head (2) for face hobbing and face milling wherein the cutter head includes positive blade seating surfaces (16, 18) and the capability to clamp the blades (8) tight to the positive seating surfaces and to adjust the cutting blades radially after they are pre-clamped and axially located.

Abstract: A bevel gear manufacturing face cutter head (2) for face hobbing and face milling. The cutter head has blade positioning slots (20) having a four-sided shaped cross-section and positive blade seating surfaces (22, 24). The cutter head also has the capability to clamp cutting blades (8) tight to the positive blade seating surfaces and to adjust the cutting blades radially after they are pre-clamped and axially located.

Abstract: A cutter head (4, 6) having a lock spring (30) utilized with an adjustment screw (16) for preventing the adjustment screw from loosening during machining. Once positioned by turning the adjustment screw, a cutting blade (8) will not change position in a mounting slot (10) due to a loosening adjustment screw.

Abstract: A bevel gear manufacturing face cutter head (20) for face hobbing and face milling wherein the cutter head comprises blade positioning slots (20) having a four-sided shaped cross-section and positive blade seating surfaces (22, 24) and having the capability to clamp cutting blades (8) tight to the positive blade seating surfaces and to adjust the cutting blades radially after they are pre-clamped and axially located.

Abstract: A bevel gear manufacturing face cutter head (2) for face hobbing and face milling wherein the cutter head comprises positive blade seating surfaces (16, 18) and the capability to clamp the blades (8) tight to the positive seating surfaces and to adjust the cutting blades radially after they are pre-clamped and axially located.

Abstract: A spindle (60) for a machine tool comprising a rear spindle portion (62) and a forward spindle portion (64) with each of the rear spindle portion and the forward spindle portion being rotatable about the same axis relative to one another. The inventive spindle includes one or more spring elements (68) extending between the rear spindle portion and the forward spindle portion whereby with the forward spindle portion and the rear spindle portion rotating at a predetermined amount and with the rotation of the forward spindle portion being constrained at that amount, an additional rotation applied to the rear spindle portion results in a deflection of the springs thereby effecting a torque between the forward and the rear spindle portions. The present invention also includes a control method which has as its objective to control the position of, not the torque applied to, one of the spindles, usually the gear member spindle.

Abstract: A spindle (60) for a machine tool comprising a rear spindle portion (62) and a forward spindle portion (64) with each of the rear spindle portion and the forward spindle portion being rotatable about the same axis relative to one another. The inventive spindle includes one or more spring elements (68) extending between the rear spindle portion and the forward spindle portion whereby with the forward spindle portion and the rear spindle portion rotating at a predetermined amount and with the rotation of the forward spindle portion being constrained at that amount, an additional rotation applied to the rear spindle portion results in a deflection of the springs thereby effecting a torque between the forward and the rear spindle portions. The present invention also includes a control method which has as its objective to control the position of, not the torque applied to, one of the spindles, usually the gear member spindle.

Abstract: A machine for lapping or testing gears comprising a single machine column having a first side oriented perpendicular to a second side with the first side having a first workpiece spindle rotatable about a first axis and the second spindle having a second workpiece spindle rotatable about a second axis. The first workpiece spindle is movably secured to the first side and the second workpiece spindle is movably secured to the second side. The first and second workpiece spindles are movable with respect to one another along one or more of mutually perpendicular directions G, H and V. At least one, and preferably both, of the spindles are direct drive spindles. At any relative position of the spindles and their associated gear members along the G, H and V directions, the crossing points of their respective axes remains the same. For lapping, the machine further includes means to introduce lapping compound at the toe end of one of the members rotating in mesh at a location before the point of mesh.