System and method for automated machining of toothed members

A system for machining from a workpiece a toothed member having a desired tooth pattern, the workpiece machined using a cutting tool of a numerically controlled machine, the system comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• at least one application stored in the memory and executable by the processor for causing the cutting tool to machine the workpiece to a predetermined partial depth to provide a semi-finished tooth pattern, the semi-finished tooth pattern created according to a geometry of the cutting tool, the predetermined partial depth less than a full depth of the desired tooth pattern;
• acquiring dimensions of the semi-finished tooth pattern and computing parameters of the semi-finished tooth pattern;
• comparing the computed parameters of the semi-finished tooth pattern to nominal dimensions parameters of the semi-finished tooth pattern and determining whether the computed parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of the nominal dimensions for the semi-finished tooth pattern at the predetermined partial depth;
• after the comparing, when the computed parameters are beyond a predetermined tolerance of the nominal dimensions, causing the geometry of the cutting tool to be modified for correcting deviations of the computed parameters from the tolerance, and causing the modified cutting tool to machine the workpiece to bring the dimensions of the semi-finished tooth pattern within the tolerance for the semi-finished tooth pattern at the predetermined partial depth;
• and
• causing the workpiece to be machined to the full depth to provide the desired tooth pattern when the dimensions of the semi-finished tooth pattern are within the tolerance for the semi-finished tooth pattern at the predetermined partial depth.

A system for machining from a workpiece a toothed member having a desired tooth pattern, the workpiece machined using a cutting tool of a numerically controlled machine, the system comprising:

• means for causing the cutting tool to machine the workpiece to a predetermined partial depth to provide a semi-finished tooth pattern, the semi-finished tooth pattern created according to a geometry of the cutting tool, the predetermined partial depth less than a full depth of the desired tooth pattern;
• means for acquiring dimensions of the semi-finished tooth pattern and computing parameters of the semi-finished tooth pattern;
• means for comparing the computed parameters of the semi-finished tooth pattern to nominal dimensions parameters of the semi-finished tooth pattern and determining whether the computed parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of the nominal dimensions for the semi-finished tooth pattern at the predetermined partial depth;
• after the comparing, when the computed parameters are beyond a predetermined tolerance of the nominal dimensions, means for causing the geometry of the cutting tool to be modified for correcting deviations of the computed parameters from the tolerance, and causing the modified cutting tool to machine the workpiece to bring the dimensions of the semi-finished tooth pattern within the tolerance for the semi-finished tooth pattern at the predetermined partial depth;
• and
• means for causing the workpiece to be machined to the full depth to provide the desired tooth pattern when the dimensions of the semi-finished tooth pattern are within the tolerance for the semi-finished tooth pattern at the predetermined partial depth.