Modeling and Simulating of Spiral Bevel Gears Based on Actual Cutting Process

A new approach for modeling and simulating of spiral bevel gears is proposed. Based on generating method, the actual cutting and adjusting process of Gleason spiral bevel gears was simulated. The intersections of tool tracing lines caused by every two adjacent edges in the cutting process were used as points on the tooth flank. Thus a mathematical model of spiral bevel gears was developed. Machine-tool settings and machine constants were calculated and adjusted by implementing the above model in a Visual Basic code. Tooth profile was reconstructed by using the flank points obtained from the program and three-dimensional solid models for spiral bevel gears were established. Then dynamic interference detection was carried out by using the computer software Pro/E. Based on the interference detection results, machining-tool settings can be adjusted until satisfying gear pair is acquired. The developed approach is illustrated by an example.