[comp.graphics] generating gears

kkaruna@donald.eng.clemson.edu (10/17/89)

i'am trying to generate gears in 3-D in the SUN system.

Is there any standard methods available to generate gears?
Basically i'am trying to generate Spur and Helical gears.
Any help in this regard would be appreciated.
Please e-mail your suggestions to me.


thanks in advance.


karuna.

nagle@well.UUCP (John Nagle) (10/19/89)

     Gear generation is well understood, and there are formulas for gear
tooth design.  Most modern gearing is based on the involute system, which
creates gears that will mesh properly with a straight rack with flat-sided
teeth.  The involute system produces interchangeable gears, such that all
gears that will mesh properly with the same rack will mesh with each other.
This simplifies gear inventory.

     I don't have references on gear design handy, but a good engineering
library should be able to provide them.

     This assumes you want to generate gears, not pictures of gears.  If
all you need is pictures, you can probably find an easier way to do it
than by worrying about involute curves and pressure angles, since you
don't have to actually make the gears run smoothly.

					John Nagle