Gear and Pinion Cutting

For cutting teeth on precision mechanical components in single-piece or series production, several methods exist. The choice of the appropriate method depends on the shape of the workpiece, the required accuracy, and, last but not least, the production quantity.

Gear Hobbing Machine Gauthier W1

Calmbach an der Enz, Germany

Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine, Calmbach an der Enz, Germany. Diagram/Schematic.

In my workshop, I use the gear hobbing machine manufactured by Alfred Gauthier GmbH, model W1, built in 1951.

Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine, Calmbach an der Enz, Germany. Logo.

The hobbing method offers advantages over the indexing method (milling with module disc cutters or end mills). The form accuracy is significantly higher because a single worm hob can produce gears with virtually any number of teeth in theoretically exact geometry. With a properly designed fixture for the workpiece, possible indexing or centering errors are eliminated.

Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine, Calmbach an der Enz, Germany. General view.

The blanks are fed either manually or via an automatic feed device. Burrs produced during milling are removed with a special deburring tool.

Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine, Calmbach an der Enz, Germany. Cardan shaft for the cutter drive.

Pinions can also be milled automatically.

Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Schematic, worm gear hob cutter.

Gear hobbing is performed using a worm module cutter. The worm hob is essentially a screw with a module thread in a trapezoidal profile. In the normal section, the thread has the profile of a rack whose module corresponds to the gears being cut; the thread profile of the hob is interrupted by flutes.

Technical Data – Gauthier W1

Working Ranges:

  • Maximum module: 0.8
  • Maximum machinable diameter with magazine: 20 mm / without magazine: 60 mm
  • Maximum workpiece length: 40 mm

Milling Spindle:

  • Maximum cutter diameter: Ø 24 mm
  • Maximum cutter width: 12 mm
  • Spindle speeds: 400–500–625–800–1000–1250–1600–2000–2500 rpm (infinitely variable from 0–2500 rpm with frequency converter)
  • Table movement stop: automatic or manual

Dimensions and Weight:

  • Width: 650 mm
  • Length: 600 mm
  • Height: 1350 mm
  • Net weight without accessories: 320 kg
  • Year of manufacture: 06 February 1951

Equipment:

  • Gear coolant pump 2 l/min
  • Deburring device
  • Magazine feed unit
Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Spindle. Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Cover with change gear chart. Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Cover with gear selection chart for gear engagement according to the diagram. Table with schematic and formula. Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Vertical slide lifting unit. Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Vertical slide lifting unit. Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Lever mechanism for hob cutter displacement. Gauthier W1 gear hobbing machine. Workpiece clamping device.