Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein standard generating motions for the production of bevel and hypoid gears are modified by the substantially simultaneous inclusion of additional controlled motions which enable a desired tooth surface geometry to be produced on the gears. The additional motions comprise varying the position of intersection of the theoretical generating gear axis and the pitch plane and/or varying the orientation of the tooth surfaces of the theoretical generating gear with respect to the body of the theoretical generating gear. A CNC machine is preferably utilized for carrying out the inventive process. The inventive process is applicable to generating processes of both the face milling and face hobbing type.

Abstract: A computer controlled machine for forming longitudinally curved tooth bevel and hypoid gears having a minimum number of movable machine axes for setup and operation. The movable axes include three rectilinear axes (X, Y, and Z) and three rotational axes (T, W and P). The rectilinear axes are arranged in mutually orthogonal directions. Two of the rotational axes (T and W) provide for rotating tool (26, 27) and work gear (42, 43), respectively. The third rotational axis (P) provides for adjusting the relative angular orientations of tool axis (T) and work axis (W). Pivot axis (P) is positioned with respect to both tool axis (T) and work axis (W) at fixed inclination angles. A method of opeating the computer controlled machine provides for controlling the movable axis (X, Y, Z, T, W, and P) in response to setup and operating parameters of conventional bevel and hypoid gear generating machines.