Abstract: For solving the cutting problem of gear flank and the grinding of the hardened profile of the conic cycloidal meshing elements, a new cutting/grinding method called “finger cone enveloping” is put forward, that is, the axis direction cone of the gear is shaped by finger conic cutter or grinder, and cycloid or arc pro-file is formed by enveloping. Setting the bigger end of conic cycloidal gear as datum plane, the cutter/grinder center paths are developed. Cutting and grinding processes are simulated with Pro/Engineer software, which verify the correctness of theory deduction and feasibility of machining. On the basis of theory deduction and machining simulation, prototypes of the gears are produced. The machining precision of the conic meshing parts for prototypes of the gears is measured with three-dimension measuring machine of ZC1066H, and conic cycloidal gear accumulative pitch error is 0.035 mm and conic-arc-inner gear is 0.014 mm. Gear error measuring results demonstrate that the method of “finger cone enveloping” not only is feasible but also has fairly high precision.

Key words: Conic cycloidal gear, Conic-arc-inner gear, Machining method, Planetary transmission