Today’s multitasking machines continue to command a presence in the world of gear cutting as viable processing alternatives for low-to medium-volume production. What started with five-axis cutting of larger-diameter ring gear sets has now ratcheted up to power skiving gears using the highly synchronized rotation of a multi-tasking machine’s milling spindle and C axis.
Unlike high-volume dedicated skiving systems, multitasking machines provide the flexibility to perform other part operations. For instance, shops can turn a part’s ID and OD as well as cut its other mating features, and all on the same machine that will also power skive the part’s gear tooth pattern. This significantly improves overall part accuracy because all the machined features run true to the gear teeth. Plus, the same multitasking machine that power skives a gear one day can machine completely different, non-geared components the next.
Read more: Cutting Gears with Multitasking Machines