Simulation of the machining principle of hobbing and grinding cycloidal gears with worm cutters and hobbing tests

ObjectiveThe cycloid gear is a core component of the RV reducer, and its high-efficiency and precision machining methods are crucial for ensuring the performance of the reducer. In view of this, the basic principle methods of hobbing and grinding for the cycloid gear are proposed.MethodsFirstly, the meshing equation was solved through the principle of helical surface formation and spatial coordinate transformation, and geometric motion models of the closed tooth profile curve of the cycloid gear, the worm cutter, and tooth-direction modification were established. Secondly, the principle prototype of the hobbing and grinding machine is constructed using VERICUT software. Through the motion simulation of the formed surface and comparison with the theoretical surface, the deviation is less than 0.004 mm.ResultsThrough the hobbing processing test, the correctness of the established theoretical model and the feasibility of the worm cutter hobbing and grinding processing technology are verified. This lays a theoretical and practical foundation for the high-efficiency machining of the continuous tooth profile of the cycloid gear and three-dimensional topological modification.