Virtual Model of Gear Shaping—Part II: Elastic Deformations and Virtual Gear Metrology

Elastic deflection of cutting tools relative to the workpiece is one of the major factors contributing to dimensional part inaccuracies in machining. This paper examines the effect of tool deflection in gear shaping and its effect on the gear's profile form error, which can cause transmission error and noise during gear operation. To simulate elastic tool deflection in gear shaping, the tool's static stiffness is estimated from impact hammer testing. Then, based on simulated cutter-workpiece engagement and predicted cutting forces, the elastic deflection of the tool is calculated at each time-step. To examine the effect of tool deflection on the profile error of the gear, a virtual gear measurement module is developed and used to predict the involute profile deviations in the virtually machined part. Simulated and measured profile deviations were compared for a one-pass external spur gear process and a two-pass external spur gear process. The simulated profile errors correlate very well with the measured profiles on the left flanks of the workpiece teeth, which are cut by the leading edges of the cutter teeth. However, additional research is needed to improve the prediction of the right flanks, which are cut by the trailing edges of the cutter teeth.