Parametric Spur Gear

Modeling Parametric Involute Gear in Solidworks
Spur gears have teeth parallel to the axis of rotation used in the transmission of
motion between parallel shafts. Considered the simplest gear, it is used to
develop the primary kinematic relationships of the tooth form. The pitch circle is
a theoretical circle upon which all calculations are usually based.
The diametral pitch P is the ratio of the number of teeth on the gear to the pitch
diameter. Thus, it is the reciprocal of the module in the metric system (ISO).
Since diametral pitch is used only with U.S. units, it is expressed as teeth per
inch. In general uses:
 Coarse: 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16
 Fine: 20, 24, 32, 40, 48, 64, 80, 96, 120, 150, 200 [5]
Addendum (a): The radial distance from the pitch circle to the top of the gear
tooth:
Dedendum (b): The radial distance from the pitch circle to the bottom of the
tooth. It’s accepted:
Pitch circle diameter (dp) is the diameter of the pitch circle from which the gear
is designed. It’s an imaginary circle, which will contact the pitch circle of
another gear when mesh. Moreover, it is defined for each gear as a relation
between the number of teeth (N) and diametral pitch.
Base circle diameter (db) is the circle used to form the involute section of the
gear tooth.
Pressure angle (α) is the angle between the tangent to the tooth profile in an
axial plane at the pitch surface and a line perpendicular to the axis. It’s usually
α = 20°.
With the equation tool in SolidWorks, it is possible to write all of the global
variables and evaluate the dimensions as a calculation page and solve any
change if any variable in the formulas change too. A sample of geometric
modeling of a spur gear with diametral pitch P = 8, pressure angle of 20°
according to AGMA Standard [4], and number of teeth (N) selected arbitrarily is
presented. Note: The units managed in the design set are in the U.S. unit
system — inch, pound, second (IPS) — with two decimal places. It’s important
to get the uniformity in the beginning (see Figure 1).
Figure.1
Next, to write the equation, include the circles as addendum, dedendum, and
pitch, and relate the equation with every sketch in the initial draw. Begin with
the addendum circle, and make the extrusion to get the initial 3D body. Give
the width of the gear a value of 1 inch to get an arbitrary and standard value
(see Figure 2).
Figure.2
Then, proceed to make the extrusion of the addendum circle at mid plane,
considering 1 inch as a reference for the thickness of the gear (see Figure 3).
Managing the extrude in mid plane helps to solve problems during motion,
assembly, and finite elements studies, among others.
Figure.3
With the Ctrl 7 key, show the isometric view. Select the front face referent to
the front plane of the new body as normal, and create a sketch (see Figure 4).
Figure.4
The next complete sketch includes almost all of the key parametric design.
Carefully take each equation in relation to each sketch. Sketch the base circle,
dedendum circle, and pitch circle related to its corresponding equation. To make
the construction of the base and pitch circle, draw a construction line coincident
at the center of the gear and the last point of the addendum circle, as shown
in Figure 5.
Figure.5
Involute Properties
An involute curve can be generated as shown in Figure 6. A partial flange “B” is
attached to the cylinder “A,” which is wrapped with a cord “def” and held tight.
Point “b” on the cord represents the tracing point, and as the cord is wrapped
and unwrapped around the cylinder, point “b” will trace out the involute curve
“ac.” The radius of the curvature of the involute varies continuously — zero at
point “a” and a maximum at point “c.” At point “b,” the radius is equal to the
distance “be” since point “b” is instantaneously rotating around point “e.” Thus,
the generating line “de” is normal to the involute at all points of intersection
and, at the same time, is always tangent to the cylinder “A.” The circle on which
the involute is generated is called the base circle.
Figure.6
For the parametric driven equations for t angle of the involute curve from point
A of the base circle for a 2D sketch, x and y are the following:
where: r in the model represents the radius of the base circle, and the value in
the model corresponds to the global equations and the corresponding sketch.
For the model (see Figure 7):
Figure.7
xt = “D2@Sketch2″*0.5*(cos(t)+t*sin(t))”
yt = “D2@Sketch2″*0.5*(sin(t)-t*cos(t))”
where: D2@Sketch2*0.5 is the base circle radius.
The parameters t1 = 0 at the beginning of the base circle and t 2 = 0.7 are
sufficient to pass the addendum circle.
The alpha angle for involute (αinv):
where: α is the pressure angle in radians.

Therefore, the beta angle (β) can be described at the base circle and define the
angular distance between Inv1 and Inv2 involute curve.
Include the global variables equations:
Alpha = sqr(dp^2-db^2)/db*180/pi –phi
Beta = (360/(4*N) – alpha)*2
The parametric driven equations for β angle of the involute for the 2D sketch
are:
xt = “D2@Sketch2″ *0.5*(cos(-t-2* “D4@Sketch2” *pi/180)-t*sin(-t-2*

“D4@Sketch2” *pi/180))
yt = “D2@Sketch2″ *0.5*(sin(-t-2* “D4@Sketch2” *pi/180)+t*cos(-t-

2* “D4@Sketch2” *pi/180))
where: D2@Sketch2*0.5 is the base circle radius and D4@Sketch2 is the beta
angle sketch.
Figure 8 shows a detail of the model with the parametric driven equation and
the parameters t1 and t2.
Figure.8
Draw two lines from the center point of the circles and end at the beginning at
each involute curve. Make the dimension relation as the measure of half beta
angle to ensure uniform changes. Trim the rest of the dedendum circle and
centerlines to define the bottom of the teeth. Finally, sketch the bottom radius,
which must be 1/3 or 2/3 of the clearance value (see Figure 9).
Figure.9
Cota beta angle = D4@Sketch2 = 360/(4*N)-alpha
Make sure all possible geometric relations are defined to ensure a solid
parametric sketch when changes are made.
Extrude cut with the last sketch reference from the sketch plane direction all the
way through (see Figure 10).
Figure.10
Make a circular pattern, and be sure the number of instances are related with
the global variable N (number of teeth). See Figure 11.
Figure.11
Results
As a result of the parametric design, models can be obtained with number of

teeth (N) with the same geometric characteristics and mathematical adaptation
according to the global equations. In addition, the regression is included in the
design tree to generate a chamfer at 45 degrees, and a bore and keyway to
represent the shaft mounting can also be parameterized by shaft standards.
Finally, the material steel AISI 1020 can be selected according to the needs of
the designer. Figure 12, Figure 13, and Figure 14 show three gears: N = 16, N
= 21, and N = 35.
Figure.12 Figure.13 Figure.14

Conclusion
A generic model has been developed with the help of SolidWorks, parametrizing
the mathematical size equations. The user can update the model just by
modifying the spur gear number of teeth (N). This present study demonstrates
the parametric modeling technique for the spur gear. The parametric modeling
can automate the way designers perform tasks, especially part-by-part or
element-by-element, in the mechanical elements design.

Parametric Spur Gear

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Parametric Spur Gear

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Parametric Spur Gear

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

How are spur gears modeled parametrically in Solidworks?

What are the key steps involved in creating the parametric model?

Modeling Parametric Involute Gear in Solidworks

 Coarse: 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16

The alpha angle for involute (αinv):

where: α is the pressure angle in radians.

Include the global variables equations:

Alpha = sqr(dp^2-db^2)/db*180/pi –phi

Beta = (360/(4N) – alpha)2

xt = “D2@Sketch2″ 0.5(cos(-t-2* “D4@Sketch2” pi/180)-tsin(-t-2*

yt = “D2@Sketch2″ 0.5(sin(-t-2* “D4@Sketch2” pi/180)+tcos(-t-

Cota beta angle = D4@Sketch2 = 360/(4*N)-alpha

As a result of the parametric design, models can be obtained with number of

Figure.12 Figure.13 Figure.14

You might also like