### Parameters Tab

Use the Parameters tab to define the gear's geometry parameters. Refer to the gear's blueprint and enter the parameters that define the geometry of the gear.

Define Gear dialog box – Parameters tab for bevel gear

Gear Parameters Area

Number of Teeth: Type the number of teeth for the gear.

Normal module or Diametral pitch: Refer to the appropriate gear standard for the definition of this parameter. The expected input for an English (INCH) gear is Diametral pitch, and for a metric (MM) gear it is Normal module.

Face Width: Type the width of the face.

Outer Cone Dista nce: Type the distance from the apex of the pitch cone to the heel of the teeth.

Gear Type: Select either Gear or Pinion, as shown below:

A - Gear
B - Pinion

Orientation: Select External for gears where the teeth are on the outside of the gear. Select Internal for gears where the teeth are on the inside of the gear.

Units: Select either INCH or MM to define the units for your gear.

Flank Type: Select the type of bevel gear: Straight or Spiral. For a spiral gear, the following options are required:

Mean Spiral Angle: Type the mean angle of the teeth.

Convex on Right Side: Typically, for bevel gears, the left side of the gear teeth as viewed from the center of the gear is convex. When you define master flank data with the CMM, you are prompted to measure the convex side of the teeth first, and then the concave side. It is important to note that this is when viewing the teeth from the center of the gear outward. Select this check box only for convex on right side.

Following is an example of a vertical pinion and horizontal spiral bevel gear with convex sides:

A - Vertical pinion with convex on left side
B - Horizontal gear with convex on right side

Master Flank Data Area

The master flank data define the nominal geometry of the convex and concave flanks of the bevel gear.

Import: Click this button to import master flank data from a previously created master flank file (*.dat). Master flank data will appear in the table. If you do not have master flank data in a file, then you will need to measure it by selecting the Operation | Create Master Flank Data... menu option. For more information on creating a master flank file, see "Step 8: Measure the Master Flank".

Clear: This button is enabled when master flank data appears in the table. Click this button to clear the master flank data from the table. A warning message box appears and asks if you are going to clear master flank data.

Invert vector for each point: To invert the vector of each point in the master flank point, select this check box. When you select this check box, the inverted vector of each point on the master flank appears in the table. For example:

Example of point vectors

Pitch Cone Area

Half pitch cone angle: The half cone angle for the pitch cone.

Z-coordinate of pitch cone apex: Type the z-coordinate of the pitch cone apex used to define the location of the pitch cone.

Face Cone Area

Half face cone angle: The half cone angle for the face cone.

Z-coordinate of face cone apex: Type the z-coordinate of the face cone apex used to define the location of the pitch cone.

Root Cone Area

Half root cone angle: Type the half cone angle for the root cone.

Z-coordinate of root cone apex: Type the z-coordinate of the root cone apex used to define the location of the pitch cone.

Quality Standard and Grade Area

Gears are manufactured and measured with reference to various international standards. In this area, select the standard and enter the grade.