Zero Lead Generative Cutting Tool
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorGabriel J. Ellicott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hobbing or gear cutting machine uses a rotary tool to rotate a cutting tool around a central axis of the cutting tool. The cutting tool has zero lead cutters, that is, the cutting tool is non-helical. A head holds the rotary tool and moves the cutting tool longitudinally along the central axis of the cutting tool. A workpiece holder holds a workpiece to be machined into a gear proximate the cutting tool. The workpiece holder selectively rotates the workpiece in conjunction with the longitudinal movement of the cutting tool via the head to cut both straight and helical gears from the workpiece.
Claims20
A gear cutting tool, comprising:
- a head that is programmably moveable in three axes;
- a rotary tool mounted to the head;
- a cutting tool with cutters having a zero lead angle, the cutting tool attached to the rotary tool so that as the rotary tool spins the cutting tool about a cutting tool central axis, the cutting tool and the rotary tool are moveable in three dimensions;
- and
- a workpiece holder that holds a workpiece proximate to the cutting tool, the workpiece holder configured to rotate the workpiece about a workpiece axis in conjunction with at least one dimension of movement of the cutting tool.
A gear cutting tool, comprising:
- a cutting tool with zero lead cutters disposed around a central axis;
- a rotary tool that rotates the cutting tool around the central axis;
- a head that moves the cutting tool longitudinally along the central axis of the cutting tool;
- and
- a workpiece holder adapted hold a workpiece, the workpiece holder adapted to selectively rotate the workpiece in conjunction with the longitudinal movement of the cutting tool via the head.
A method of cutting gears, comprising:
- providing a cutting tool with cutters having a zero lead angle;
- orienting the cutting tool with respect to a workpiece;
- rotating the cutting tool about a central axis of the cutting tool;
- engaging the cutting tool with the workpiece to cut gear teeth into the workpiece;
- shifting the cutting tool along the central axis of the cutting tool;
- rotating the workpiece while shifting the cutting tool perpendicular to the central axis;
- and
- axially feeding the cutting tool perpendicular to the central axis while engaging the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.