Broaching apparatus and method for producing a gear member with tapered gear teeth

A broaching tool configured to form an internal gear member comprising:

• a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a first flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth;
• and
• a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth, wherein said first and second flank portions are circumferentially spaced from one another;
• such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions.

A broaching machine configured to produce an internal gear member comprising:

• a broaching tool defining a central axis including:
• a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a first flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth;
• and
• a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only a second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth, wherein said first and second flank portions are circumferentially spaced from one another;
• such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions;
• and
• a motor configured to rotate the broaching tool about the central axis at a selectable rate and in a selectable direction to form said tapered flank portions.