Method for chamfering the edges of gear teeth

The method of producing on the edges of the teeth of a gear a chamfer having desired maximum and minimum edge-to-edge width dimensions along its length, where the edge of each gear tooth is formed by the intersection of a tooth side generally lying in an x-y plane and a tooth flank generally running perpendicular thereto in a z axis direction, while using a cutting tool which has circular motion about an axis perpendicular to the y-z plane, which comprises selecting a first tool profile and determining s-dimensions at a multiplicity of points along the length of the chamfer which would be produced by the first tool profile, where the s-dimensions are the distances across the chamfer from an edge thereof to the nearest point on the opposing edge thereof;

• comparing the s-dimensions to the chamfer width desired at each of the said multiplicity of points;
• iteratively selecting further tool profiles each of which is different from the prior tool profile, and determining for each the s-dimensions at a multiplicity of points along the length of the chamfer which would be produced and comparing them to the chamfer widths desired, until a final tool profile is determined, which profile provides s-dimensions falling within the range of the desired minimum and maximum chamfer widths;
• making a tool having substantially said final profile, and;
• chamfering the teeth with the tool so made.