GLEASON CORP. is offering an integrated device for resharpening gear cutters on its vertical "power skiving" machines, explaining that the device will allow fully automated resharpening of cutters used to produce soft and hardened gears, up to 600 mm in workpiece diameter.
"Power skiving" is a continuous process that makes it possible to machine gears ("skiving") with one set-up, for example using a multi-tasking machine. Single-setup machining typically shortens production time and reduces handling and logistics costs.
By automating cutter resharpening operations, Gleason power skiving machines are able to reduce operator involvement by reducing the time typically required for tool changes and first-part inspection cycles. The usual cost for external tool refurbishment can be avoided too, Gleason claimed.
The new on-board resharpening unit is fast and simple, compared to the typical cutter resharpening process, it added. The machine’s axes position the cutter to the grinding wheel. Then, the integrated cutter resharpening unit executes the necessary grinding strokes while the cutter performs the infeed and the indexing from tooth to tooth. All this done automatically and based on the cutter geometry that exists after a certain number of gears have been cut.
After the initial corrections are made based on the first gear cut, a consistent gear quality is more easily maintained throughout the complete tool life.
The frequency of the resharpening cycles can be chosen depending on the gear quality required.
Also, Gleason reported that "tool cost-per-piece" is lower compared to cutter reconditioning, with no tool changes, first-part-inspections, and machine adjustments during a cutter’s lifetime, as well as no handling and logistics costs for reconditioning cycles. With fewer cutters in circulation, tool investment is significantly reduced, it added.
Learn more at www.gleason.com
