Author(s)

R.G.Munro

Abstract

Historically gear metrology machines have worked on the principle of generating motions by mechanical means, such as friction drive discs, straight edges, levers and sine bars. The gear error is then a difference reading measured by a small displacement transducer, for example a dial indicator or LVDT probe. Machines of this type are still commonly used, but the advent of optical gratings has now revolutionised gear metrology. The paper describes their development and use in CNC machines for the measurement of gear profile, helix and pitch errors and for the composite measurements of transmission error and backlash of a gear pair. The outcome is that much more data can be obtained than hitherto, more quickly and in a more helpful form. Despite these improvements there is a need for further research to take full a

Keywords