NEW WAYS OF MACHINING TRANSMISSIONS

Harish Maniyoor, Global Product Manager, Automotive, Sandvik Coromant, explains how three new ways of machining transmissions can help manufacturers do more with less

- Harish Maniyoor

The definition of insanity is the repetition of the same action and expecting better results. This could apply to machining gear components, around which the landscape is changing and demand for cost reduction is rife.

Machine shops have faced variable high and low-demand scenarios during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, whatever their circumstances, cost-cutting remains a priority. Take the machining of gears. Manufacturers want more flexibility in gear machining, but achieving this while reducing costs is not straightforward. Traditionally, projects that involved machining gears would depend on special machines and processes, especially in mass production. This means limitations — and often higher costs — in the production process.

Three new ways of machining transmissions that make getting beyond these limitations possible. Moreover, these advantages go beyond automotive into areas like general engineering, wind power, aerospace, and even robotics.

Manufacturers want more flexibility in gear machining, but achieving this while reducing costs is not straightforward

POWER SKIVING

Power skiving is a rotary cutting technique where the tool meshes with the gear being made. The continuous cutting process enables all machining to be carried out in one single set-up. In essence, it combines hobbing and shaping, and the intersecting angle between tool and gear axis and the revolution speed is decisive for productivity.