JP-2026074758-A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing spline structures

JP2026074758AJP 2026074758 AJP2026074758 AJP 2026074758AJP-2026074758-A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing spline structures that can improve the work efficiency involved in manufacturing. [Solution] A manufacturing method for producing a spline structure having splines 22 by cutting the outer surface of a workpiece 21 with a hob cutter 11, comprising a cutting step S10 in which the workpiece 21 and the hob cutter 11 are rotated and the hob cutter 11 or the workpiece 21 is moved in the axial direction of the workpiece 21, and the outer surface of the workpiece 21 is cut with the hob cutter 11, wherein the cutting step S10 comprises a conventional cutting step S11 in which the direction of movement of the hob cutter 11 relative to the workpiece 21 and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter 11 are the same at the contact point between the workpiece 21 and the hob cutter 11, and a climb cutting step S12 in which the direction of movement of the hob cutter 11 relative to the workpiece 21 and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter 11 are in opposite directions. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

山口春樹

Assignees

株式会社メイドー

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241021

Claims (4)

A manufacturing method for producing a spline structure having splines by cutting the outer surface of a cylindrical or columnar workpiece with a hob cutter, The cutting process includes a procedure in which the workpiece and the hob cutter are rotated around their respective axes, the hob cutter is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the workpiece, and the hob cutter or the workpiece is moved in the axial direction of the workpiece, thereby cutting the outer circumferential surface of the workpiece with the hob cutter to form the spline, The aforementioned cutting process is A conventional cutting process in which the cutting is performed such that the direction of movement of the hob cutter relative to the workpiece and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter are in the same direction at the contact point between the workpiece and the hob cutter, A method for manufacturing a spline structure, comprising: a climb-cut step, in which the cutting is performed such that the direction of movement of the hob cutter relative to the workpiece and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter are opposite at the point of contact between the workpiece and the hob cutter.
The aforementioned cutting process is After partially forming only the ends of the spline in the conventional cutting process, A method for manufacturing a spline structure according to claim 1, wherein the entire spline is formed by overlapping the end with the climb-cut step.
A manufacturing apparatus for producing a spline structure having splines by cutting the outer surface of a cylindrical or columnar workpiece with a hob cutter, A support shaft that rotatably supports the workpiece at its axial center, The hob cutter is rotatably supported around a cutter axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the support shaft, A rotating mechanism for rotating the hob cutter, A contact mechanism that brings the workpiece and the hob cutter into contact with each other, A moving mechanism for moving the hob cutter or the workpiece in the axial direction of the workpiece, The system comprises a control unit that controls the operation of the rotating mechanism, the contact mechanism, and the moving mechanism, The control unit, A conventional cutting means that performs the cutting by making the direction of movement of the hob cutter relative to the workpiece and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter the same at the contact point between the workpiece and the hob cutter, A spline structure manufacturing apparatus comprising a climb-cut means that performs the cutting at the point of contact between the workpiece and the hob cutter, such that the direction of movement of the hob cutter relative to the workpiece and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter are in opposite directions.
The spline structure manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit operates in the order of the conventional cutting means and the climb cutting means.

Description

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an external spline structure having multiple external teeth, and to a manufacturing apparatus used in the manufacturing method. A spline structure has multiple external teeth, and power is transmitted by combining these external teeth with a mating member that has corresponding internal teeth. Examples of such spline structures include spline shafts, spline couplings, spur gears, pinion gears, and gear couplings. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a spline structure is manufactured using a manufacturing apparatus equipped with a hob cutter, and the external teeth are formed by cutting the workpiece with the hob cutter. In cutting methods using hob cutters as described above, there are two methods: conventional cutting, where the direction of movement of the hob cutter relative to the workpiece and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter are the same at the contact point between the workpiece and the hob cutter, and climb cutting, where the direction of movement and the direction of rotation are opposite. Typical manufacturing equipment can only perform either conventional cutting or climb cutting, and in most cases, climb cutting is adopted considering the advantages such as less hob cutter wear and longer tool life. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-66379 The present invention will be further described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, which refer to several drawings, with the same reference numerals indicating the same parts in several of the drawings. (a) and (b) are flowcharts illustrating the method for manufacturing the spline structure according to the present invention. An explanatory diagram showing cutting using conventional cutting techniques. An explanatory diagram showing cutting using the climb cut method. An explanatory diagram showing the process of spline formation through an example of a cutting process. This is a perspective view showing a spline structure. This is a perspective view showing the manufacturing apparatus for spline structures according to the present invention. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a cutting process using manufacturing equipment. The matters presented herein are illustrative and illustrative examples of embodiments of the present invention, and are intended to provide what is considered to be the most effective and readily understandable explanation of the principles and conceptual features of the present invention. In this regard, it is not intended to provide structural details of the present invention beyond what is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, and the description, in conjunction with the drawings, will make it clear to those skilled in the art how some forms of the present invention are actually embodied. [1] Method for manufacturing a spline structure The method for manufacturing a spline structure according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a spline structure having a plurality of external teeth by cutting the outer surface of a cylindrical or columnar workpiece with a hob cutter, The process includes a cutting step in which the workpiece and the hob cutter are rotated around their respective axes, the hob cutter is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the workpiece, and the hob cutter or the workpiece is moved in the axial direction of the workpiece, thereby cutting the outer circumferential surface of the workpiece with the hob cutter to form the external teeth, The aforementioned cutting process is A conventional cutting process in which the cutting is performed such that the direction of movement of the workpiece relative to the hob cutter and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter are in the same direction at the contact point between the workpiece and the hob cutter, The method is characterized by comprising a climb-cut step, in which the cutting is performed such that the direction of movement of the workpiece relative to the hob cutter and the direction of rotation of the hob cutter are opposite at the point of contact between the workpiece and the hob cutter. The method for manufacturing a spline structure includes a cutting step S10 (see Figures 1(a) and 1(b)). The cutting step S10 is a step for manufacturing a spline structure 20 having a spline 22 with a plurality of internal grooves 22A and external teeth 22B formed on its outer surface, as shown in Figure 5. In other words, the cutting process S10 is a process of manufacturing a spline structure from a workpiece 21, which is cylindrical or columnar in shape, by cutting the outer surface of the workpiece 21 with a hob cutter 11 and forming a spline 22 on the outer surface. A hob cutter is a cutting tool having multiple cutting blades arranged in a screw-like (spiral) pattern. By bringing the hob cutter into contact with the workpiece while synchronizing their rotations, the cutting blades can