Method and device for producing a modified surface structure on a tooth flank

A method for producing a modified surface structure on a tooth flank of a pre-toothed workpiece,

• the method comprising:
• driving a grinding worm to rotate about a worm axis;
• driving the pre-toothed workpiece to rotate about a workpiece axis, wherein the grinding worm and the pre-toothed workpiece are in rolling engagement;
• generating a relative movement between the grinding worm and the pre-toothed workpiece, the relative movement having an axial component parallel to the workpiece axis, such that a plurality of adjacent contact tracks is produced on the tooth flank of the pre-toothed workpiece, the contact tracks extending at a distance from one another with respect to a workpiece face width direction,
• characterized in that the method further comprises:
• deliberately varying a penetration depth between the grinding worm and the pre-toothed workpiece along the respective contact track to generate a tooth flank waviness with a plurality of wave periods along said contact track, such that the tooth flank waviness of adjacent contact tracks at any given position in a workpiece depth direction are shifted relative to one another by a phase offset,
• wherein the phase offset fulfills at least one of the following conditions:
• a) the phase offset is between 90° and 270°,
• b) the phase offset to the respective adjacent contact tracks varies from contact track to contact track,
• c) the phase offset to the adjacent contact tracks varies along the respective contact track.