Cutting Performance in Machining of Large-Sized Spiral Bevel Gears Using Multi-Axis Control and Multi-Tasking Machine Tool

Large-sized spiral bevel gears are usually manufactured based on a cyclo-palloid system and have equi-depth teeth as well as a face hobbing system by a continuous cutting procedure using a special generator. It has been possible to machine the complicated shape because of the development of a multi-axis control and multi-tasking machine tool.The manufacturing method of the gears has been proposed using this development process. In this method, the spiral bevel gears are modeled based on a CAD system and are machined based on a CAM system. In this paper, the cutting performance in machining of the large-sized spiral bevel gears using the multi-axis control and multi-tasking machine toolis investigated. As a result, the relationship between the tool life of end mill and gear accuracy were made clear. The surface roughness and tool mark of the machined gears were compared with those using the special generator.