Feb 28, 2017 | Tool Time
Not all hobs are created equal. Many hobs must be designed before production, and gear manufacturers who seek the most from their cutting tools choose suppliers that not only design but also engineer their hobs. An engineered hob considers the entire hobbing...
Jan 14, 2016 | Tool Time
An introduction to coatings and their use for gear cutting tools. In this issue, we will discuss one of the most important aspects of gear cutting tools aside from the tool itself: tool coatings. The most common process through which coatings adhere to...
Dec 18, 2015 | Tool Time
The effects and causes of hob flute lead error. In previous issues, we looked at several types of hob errors: flute spacing error, rake error, and runout. Another important type of error can be found in the lead of the flute, also known as the gash. Flute lead error...
Jun 4, 2015 | Tool Time
A detailed look at gear tool resharpening. In Issue 13, we discussed the importance of tool quality and the proper maintenance of a tool that shows signs of wear. In this issue, we will cover the basics of the process used to sharpen the hob. The types of wear on a...
Mar 17, 2015 | Tool Time
The importance of tool quality. The achievable quality of a gear is greatly affected by the quality of the cutting tool used. “Quality” in this context means geometric accuracy (as opposed to metallurgical quality or surface finish, for example). A gear’s geometry can...
Jun 3, 2014 | Tool Time
An overview of materials for gear cutting tools. In the late 19th century, carbon, manganese, chromium, and tungsten were included to create steel that could be air-hardened, instead of needing quenching for hardness. This laid the path for today’s high-speed steels,...
