Improving the transmission error source tracing method for gear hobbing machines

By considering the uncertainness of initial measuring position of encoders and signal sidebands caused by the fault gear pair, this paper presented a new comprehensive harmonic analysis method for the transmission error of gear hobbing machine. Based on that, a test platform was established, in which two circle grating encoders were connected to the hob spindle and workpiece spindle respectively. With the help of this new harmonic analysis method as well as the self-developed test platform, a new improved transmission error fault diagnosis method was developed for the gear hobbing machines. To verify its accountability, a case study was conducted on a YS-type gear hobbing machine. According to the spectrum amplitude comparison and the analysis of harmonic frequency distribution, the fault transmission gear pair was successfully located. This improved transmission error source tracing method was very helpful for quantifying both the manufacturing qualities and assembly qualities of parts and locating potential error source for new gear hobbing machines.