Abstract: The differential assembly includes a rotatable differential case, a pair of side gears rotatably mounted within the differential case, and a set of spaced apart differential pinion mate gears rotatably supported by a pinion shaft and drivingly engaging said side gears to allow differential rotation therebetween. A sum of a number of teeth of any one of the side gears and a number of teeth of any one of the pinion mate gears is no greater than nineteen, a difference between the number of teeth of any one of the side gears and the number of teeth of any one of the pinion mate gears is no greater than three, and the number of teeth of any one of the side gears and the number of teeth of any one of the pinion mate gears each is no greater than eleven.

Abstract: A cutter tool assembly includes a cutter head having an axial end face with an axially extending recess in the end face. A plurality of cutter blades are carried by and extend axially from the end face of the cutter head. A non-volatile memory device is disposed within the recess and affixed to the cutter head.

Abstract: The differential assembly includes a rotatable differential case, a pair of side gears rotatably mounted within the differential case, and a set of spaced apart differential pinion mate gears rotatably supported by a pinion shaft and drivingly engaging said side gears to allow differential rotation therebetween. A sum of a number of teeth of any one of the side gears and a number of teeth of any one of the pinion mate gears is no greater than nineteen, a difference between the number of teeth of any one of the side gears and the number of teeth of any one of the pinion mate gears is no greater than three, and the number of teeth of any one of the side gears and the number of teeth of any one of the pinion mate gears each is no greater than eleven.

Abstract: A method for determining a conjugated gear tooth contact surface of a gear having a predetermined gear mesh contact area. Also, a method for making a forging die for manufacturing gears having the predetermined gear mesh contact area is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing the gear having the predetermined gear mesh contact area, designing an electrode for an electric discharge machining using CAD/CAM device, manufacturing the electrode, and manufacturing the forging die employing the electric discharge machining process.

Abstract: A method for designing root area geometry of a straight bevel gear providing reduced stress concentration and increased tooth strength. Also, a method for making a forging die for manufacturing gears having improved tooth root geometry. The method includes the steps of designing the straight bevel gear having improved root area geometry, designing an electrode for an electric discharge machining using CAD/CAM device, manufacturing the electrode, and manufacturing the forging die employing the electric discharge machining process.

Abstract: An improved spline rack for use on a spline rack cutter is disclosed wherein the spline rack includes a plurality of teeth each having a top land surface that curves toward the inner tooth edge region, and the inner tooth edge region of each tooth includes a chamfer connecting the inner tooth edge region with the curved portion of the top land surface. In this manner, the exit radius of curvature of the inner top land surface may be maximized, while the chamfer prevents interference between the inner tooth edge region and the workpiece. A method of forming an improved spline rack is also disclosed.