Was it a goal to have it ready for rollout
at Gear Expo?
“Most software packages available
in the market do not include bevel
gears. There are significant differences
in how bevel gears are manufactured.
The Gleason, Klingelnberg, and Oerlikon
systems are for spiral bevel gears.
Our software is for the Gleason system
only. Mating bevel gears must be manufactured
to the same system, i.e. — a
Gleason pinion cannot be matched
to a Klingelnberg gear, and vice versa.
Bevel gears are manufactured in sets (i.e. — pinion is matched to gear) and
cannot be interchanged from one set
to another unless the gears are manufactured
to a master. A recent development
in machines is that they can cut
universal bevel gears, eliminating the
matched set requirement; but most
bevel gear job shops do not have that
capability. Still, one system cannot be
matched to the other like spur or helical
gears.
“Bevel gear capacity calculations are
very complex and there are no standards,
except AGMA; but even AGMA
standards are not fully understood
or followed by most designers. Yes, it
was our intension to roll out the bevel
gear software at the Gear Expo. Our
software will help designers to design,
analyze, and create one-page-gear dimension
data for bevel gears like spur
or helical gears.”
Rave Gears and Machining LLC
(Booth 1339)
“Rave will be introducing its Gen3
line of spiral bevel gears which also
has the option of adding our Ravecoat.
The coat that covers the teeth improves
efficiency and durability of the gear,”
says Diana Martinez, contract administrator.
KISSsoft AG (Booth 1830)
“We will be highlighting the newest
release of KISSsoft, Version 03-2015,”
says Stefan Beermann, KISSsoft CEO
and partner. “Looking back, Gear Expo
was always a chance to show new features
to our customers in a hands-on
way, discussing pros and cons while
demonstrating the software directly in
the booth. This is typically not a oneway
road; we also learn a lot from the
feedback or our customers. Since Dr.
Kissling, the ‘brain’ behind the software
is present, this is a perfect opportunity.
“The new release of KISSsoft has
several new features that will be demonstrated,”
says Beermann. “Why?
Our customers have made request for
added functionality and KISSsoft has
responded. New features are added
standards, like the AGMA 6001/6101
shaft calculation, or some Russian
GOST standards for spur and helical
gears. The contact analysis for planetary
gearsets now determines the load
distribution on the gear flanks taking
the results of finite element calculations
of the planet carrier into account;
for this we included an open-source FE
core into the installation. And we can
now read in a full stiffness matrix form
various FE programs to model the resilience
of the housing of a gearbox. In
addition, the determination of critical
speeds on a system level is now available.
And, of course, many other more
specific improvements.”
Gleason Corp. (Booth 1017)
Gleason is a leading source of education
for gear technology and it will be
promoting its customer training classes
that offer a full range of courses and
education forums, ranging from the
beginner to the most advanced user
covering all aspects of gear design,
production and inspection.
Offering plastic gear design and injection
molded plastic gears, including
helical gears, spur gears, planetary
gears and internal gears, Gleason plastic
gears provide customers with the
benefit of a plastic gear with no weldline
for a stronger, more accurate and
economical drivetrain — eliminating
the additional expense of secondary
machining. Gleason will display some
of its most recent innovations and have
experts available to answer any plastic
gear-related question.
EXSYS Tool, Inc. (Booth 1731)
Florida-based EXSYS Tool, Inc. will
showcase its new line of Eppinger
gearboxes and custom gear-making
services for a wide variety of industries.
EXSYS, known as the North American
supplier of high-precision, Germanmade
Eppinger live and fixed toolholders,
as well as modular adapter
systems — both for CNC turning centers
— just recently expanded its line of
productivity–enhancing systems into
the gear sector. Therefore Gear Expo
attendees can now enjoy some personal
time with the latest Eppinger spiral
bevel-, planetary-, planetary-bevel-,
hypoid- and cycloid-type gearboxes.
They can also learn how to acquire
specialty, custom-made gears produced
to their specifications.
EXSYS Gearbox Types
Spiral bevel. BT (bevel torque) and
BM (bevel maximum torque) compact
spiral bevel gears bring high torque
and maximum efficiency to gear applications
that require a high degree of
reliability and variability. Each of these
bevel gearbox types offers minimized
tooth clearance and optimal transmission
properties via precision axes and
bearing seats, combined with Gleason
bevel gears that can withstand high
loads. The single-component steel
housings for these bevel gearboxes
feature mounting threads on all sides
to ensure stable attachment in a variety
of installation positions. The heavyduty
bevel gears inside these housings
offer high transmission precision
and reduced stress on the bearings. A
friction-locked, zero backlash connection
of the crown gears on the drive
shaft reduces the mass of the gearing
component. Both BT and BM gearboxes
come in solid or hollow shafts, in
standard and custom designs. BT-type
models are available in seven sizes
with a transmission ratio of i = 1:1 to
5:1, while BM-type models are available
in five sizes with a ratio of i = 1:1.
Planetary. PE (planetary eco) and
PP (planetary precision) planetary
gearboxes are for applications that require
low backlash, high efficiency,
shock resistance and a high-torqueto-
weight ratio. With a modular design
that combines ground gears and
precision gear components,
these gearboxes
ensure performance
efficiency and
maximum uptime.
They are also energyefficient
and easily
mount to a variety of
motors. The present
range of planetary
gearboxes comprises
five sizes, with
each size offered as a single- dual-, or triple-stage design.
Each gearbox variant is also available
as a precision design with reduced
backlash. The wide range of sizes and
designs allows users to achieve overall
transmission ratios from i = 3:1 to
i = 512:1 in a variety of applications.
Bevel planetary. BP (bevel planetary)
gearboxes combine features of
the company’s BT (bevel torque) series
bevel gearboxes with the pre-stages
of its PE (planetary eco) planetary
gearboxes, creating an innovative solution
for various applications. The
stable housing design and hardened,
super-finished gear components of
these gearboxes help ensure smooth
running and constant backlash control.
These planetary bevel gearboxes
are efficient and achieve high-output
torque and extremely high transmission
ratios up to i = 320. Currently offered
in eight sizes, the planetary bevel
gearboxes easily mount to a wide range
of motors.
Hypoid. The Eppinger HT-type hypoid
gearboxes feature a compact, robust
design suitable for both specific
and highly dynamic applications. With
a specially developed, aluminum mono-
bloc housing with high-precision
bearing seats and an integrated input
shank, each hypoid gearbox provides
unmatched stability, accuracy and efficiency.
These hypoid gearboxes easily
connect to a variety of servo motors.
With solid steel alloy and hollow shafts
for shrink disc connection, users can
install these gearboxes in various positions
with a choice of the output side.
Currently, the gearboxes are available
in four sizes in the ratio range, from
i = 5:1 to i = 15:1.
Cycloidal.To round out its product
portfolio, Eppinger develops and manufactures
cycloidal gearboxes. These
compact, high-transmission gearboxes
are an excellent choice for tool
machinery, automation and robotics.
With integrated support bearings and
a high-overload capacity, they excel in
applications that require the utmost
stiffness, performance and efficiency.
The cycloidal gearboxes are available
in six sizes — with ratio ranges from
i = 57:1 to i = 175:1 — and in solid and
hollow shaft designs. They can also be
adapted to meet specific customer requirements.
Custom gear manufacturing.In
terms of custom gear-making services,
Eppinger is virtually without limits.
They can for example develop and
manufacture crown gear diameters
ranging from 0.4 mm to 330 mm — depending
on the transmission ratio. Examples
include professional-quality,
high-performance bevel gearboxes, as
well as ring and pinion gearsets. Gear
customers include Mercedes, Bugatti
and Airbus.
The company uses modern Gleason
milling and grinding centers to
machine its gears from a wide variety
of workpiece materials. Gleason and
Zeiss measuring machines, along with
Gleason test equipment, ensure each
gear complies with the quality requirements
of DIN 3965 and the American
Gear Manufacturers Association
(AGMA) at all times.
Final
Thoughts
We close with
some exhibitor
observations
about the value of
the show.
Says Wendy
Young, President/
COO, Forest
City Gear (Booth
1826): “We get
leads and some
are brought to fruition.
We do have
exposure to an enormous amount of
networking, and that is very valuable
in itself.”
Offers Dan Kondritz, General Manager,
KISSsoft USA: “Yes, (Gear Expo)
always had (been good) — for KISSsoft,
at least. We get a chance to meet faceto-
face — something that is hard to put
a dollar figure against.”
(Rave Gear’s) Martinez: “The costs of
attending Gear Expo are justified because
it’s the place to meet individuals
from the aerospace to automotive industries
that require our services. And
the best part of it is everyone is under
one roof. This is the perfect opportunity
for any company in this industry
to get their name out there.”
And from Kerry Klein, Arrow Gear
(Booth 1626) Vice President, sales
and marketing, “Certainly (the show
is worth the expense)! Arrow Gear has
long been a supporter of Gear Expo
and will continue to support the industry.
We feel that it is important to
have a forum where all companies in
the industry can display their products
and gather together to share ideas and
business experiences.”
About Author
Jack McGuinn, Senior Editor, has a diverse, 20-year history in manufacturing, including management-level positions in quality assurance and testing; product development; marketing and promotion; and industrial journalism. He has been with Gear Technology since 2005. [10 years in the gear industry]
