TOOTH BRIAN DENGEL
TIPS GENER AL MANAGER KHK-USA
What is a spur gear?
Gearing 101: A primer on a type of cylindrical
gear with straight teeth that are cut parallel to
the axis of rotation.
W hat is a spur gear? A spur gear is a type of cylindrical gear with
straight teeth that are cut parallel to the axis of rotation. They
are the simplest and most common type of element in mechanical
drive systems.
Spur gears transmit power and motion between two parallel
shafts. In order to do so, both the pitch and the pressure angle of
both gears must be the same. Spur gears can increase or decrease the
speed and torque of the rotating shaft depending on the sizing and
arrangement of the gears.
The teeth of a spur gear are cut using a gear hobbing machine or
a gear shaping machine. Spur gears can be produced from various
materials, including steel, brass, bronze, or plastic, and depending
on the application, they can be hardened based on the requirements
for strength and durability.
The geometry of a spur gear is defined by several parameters. Figure 1: The meshing of profile shifted gears.
Figure 1 shows the location of various critical dimensions of a spur ( a = 20, z1 = 12, z2 = 24, x1 = +0.6, x 2 = +0.36 )
gear. Table 1 details the calculations for these same dimensions.
The first value needed to produce a spur gear is the pitch. In the
metric system, this is known as the module. As the value of the mod- easy to produce with hobbing tools and allows for a smooth meshing
ule increases, the size of the gear tooth increases. In the English stan- of the gear teeth.
dard system, the pitch of a spur gear is known as the diametral pitch When the profile shift coefficients are set to zero, the working
(DP). It represents the number of teeth that are found on a gear with pressure angle and the reference pressure angle are equal. If there
a one-inch reference diameter.
The pressure angle is the angle between
the line of action of the gears and the tangent
to the pitch circle. It determines the contact
between the teeth of the gears and affects
the load-carrying capacity and efficiency
of the gears. For English system spur gears,
the typical values for pressure angle are 20
degrees and 14 degrees 30 minutes. For met-
ric spur gears, the pressure angle is typically
20 degrees.
The number of teeth for each gear is cho-
sen by the end-user based on the speed ratio
that is desired for the application. In this
example, the desired speed ratio is 1:2.
Table 1 details the calculations for a pair
of spur gears with a profile shift coefficient.
This gear tooth modification factor is not
typically applied, but is sometimes used to
manipulate the center distance of a spur gear
pair. When the value is set to zero for both A spur gear is the simplest
gears, they are considered to be standard and most common type
spur gears. of element in mechanical
drive systems. (Courtesy:
Most industrial spur gears are produced
KHK USA)
with an involute tooth form. This shape is
28 gearsolutions.com
Table 1: The Calculations for Profile Shifted Spur Gears
A standard spur gear is, as seen here, a profile shifted gear with 0 coefficient of shift; that is x1 = x 2 = 0.
is a profile shift coefficient on one or both of the gears, a detailed for spur gears. This value measures the distance between mating gear
calculation needs to be performed to determine the working pres- teeth when they are not in contact. It is necessary to have a minimum
sure angle. amount of backlash in order for the gear teeth to mesh properly and
If there is a profile shift coefficient being used on either gear, for lubricant to engage with the gears at their point of contact.
then a center distance modification factor needs to be calculated. The design of spur gears involves determining the pitch diameter,
However, if the profile shift coefficients are both zero, then the center module, pressure angle, addendum, dedendum, and backlash. These
distance of a pair of spur gears is equal to one half of the sum of each factors are dependent on the desired gear ratio, power transmission
gear’s reference diameter. The reference diameter of a spur gear is requirements, and the design of the mechanical system. Spur gears
also known as the pitch diameter. will only transmit power between parallel shafts. As the gears rotate,
The addendum of a spur gear tooth is the radial distance between the teeth engage and transmit torque from the driving gear to the
the pitch circle and the tooth tip. Correspondingly, the dedendum driven gear. The direction of rotation of the driven gear is always
is the radial distance between the pitch circle and the tooth root. opposite to that of the driving gear, and the speed of the driven gear
The sum of the addendum and the dedendum determines the total is determined by the gear ratio.
tooth height. Spur gears are one of the most commonly used elements in
The tip diameter of a spur gear is also known as the outer diameter mechanical systems because they are simple in design, efficient in
or the outside diameter. For standard spur gears, the tip diameter is operation, and cost-effective. Understanding the technical definitions
equal to the reference diameter plus two addendums. and design principles of spur gears is essential for anyone working
Although not shown in Table 1, the value for backlash is important with mechanical systems.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brian Dengel is general manager of KHK-USA, which is based in Mineola, New York. Go online to www.khkgears.us
May 2023 29
