Manufacturing of new type curvilinear tooth profiled involute gears using 3D printing

Abstract

Curvilinear profiled involute gears have more favorable working conditions compared to spur gears and arrow profiled gears. However, these gears cannot be manufactured by conventional manufacturing methods.  The use of curvilinear profiled gears was not widespread in the industry due to these difficulties encountered in the manufacturing. In this study, the existing manufacturing methods of current gears have been investigated.  In addition to CNC manufacturing method, which eliminated the difficulties encountered in the present manufacturing methods, 3D printers were used to manufacture curvilinear involute gears and presented as an alternative manufacturing method.