Experiment 7

Measuring the common tangential length of the gear

I. Experimental purpose
 Knowing how to use the micrometer to measure the common tangential length
 Knowing how to measure the common tangential length
II. Introduction to the general principle

The oscillation of the length of the common tangential Δ0L is the difference between the biggest
and the smallest tangential length measurement in the different parts of the teeth rim.

Figure 7.1

To check the common tangential length we can use the tools indicated in figure 7.2.

Figure 7.2

Following the definition of the common tangential length, it’s value equals to the AB curve of the
pitch circle, which means L = AB (figure 7.1).

If we define n is the Number of teeth in the common tangential length L we will have the
algorithm to calculate the common tangential length:

L=m∙ cos ⁡( α )∙[ ( n−0 , 5 ) ∙ π + Zϴ+ 2 ξ tan ⁡(α )]

 Which m is the module of the gear, α is the fit angle (usually α =20 ° ), Z is the number of teeth of
the gear, ϴ=tan ⁡( α )−α is “in-va” of the angle α , ξ is the extension coefficient (usually choose
ξ=0 ).
Therefore, the value of L is calculated based on the aforementioned formula. This is the normal value,
it could be different if we measure the common tangential length of the gear. The difference between
the measured length and the calculated normal length is called the error of the common tangential
length.

III. Experimental steps

Choose one of the gears in table 7.1.

No. Gear name Module Note

1 1 1
2 2, 4, 8 2
3 3 3
4 26 1,5
5 7 1,8
6 65 2,5
Table 7.1

Identify the gear module.

Calculate the common tangential length. Identify the number of teeth in the segment of the common
tangential length.

Start measuring and write the results into table 7.2.

Gear name 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Table 7.2

IV. Result evaluation

The error between the theoretical and measured common tangential length.

V. Result comments
 Experiment 8

I. Experimental purpose
II. Introduction to the general principle
III. Experimental steps
IV. Result evaluation
V. Result comments
 Experiment 9
I. Experimental purpose
II. Introduction to the general principle
III. Experimental steps
IV. Result evaluation
V. Result comments