Method and device for measuring gear tooth wear

A template for measuring an amount of wear on a first gear tooth of a gear, said template comprising a first template tooth configured to fit in a space defined between the first gear tooth and a second gear tooth adjacent the first gear tooth such that an edge of said first template tooth abuts a flank of the first gear tooth with substantially no gaps when the flank is in an unworn condition, said template is configured to be repeatably positionable at a consistent location with respect to an axial direction defined with respect to the gear, a radial direction defined with respect to the gear and a rotational direction defined with respect to the gear, wherein a measurable gap between said edge and the flank corresponds to the amount of wear on the first gear tooth.

A system for comparing gear tooth wear comprising:

• a plurality of gears of substantially similar size and shape, each gear comprising a first gear tooth, a second gear tooth adjacent the first gear tooth, and a space defined therebetween;
• and
• a template comprising a first template tooth configured to fit in the space such that an edge of said first template tooth abuts a flank of said first gear tooth with substantially no gaps when said flank is in an unworn condition, said template configured to be repeatably positionable at a consistent location on each of the plurality of gears with respect to an axial direction defined with respect to each gear, a radial direction defined with respect to each gear and a rotational direction defined with respect to each gear, wherein a measurable gap between said edge and said flank corresponds to an amount of wear on said first gear tooth of each gear of said plurality of gears.