r the molding process. It is equally important during this process that there is a means by which all peripheral variables can be controlled. This is done utilizing a central processor, which will maintain balance on all settings for every parameter. Transducers relay all of their information into a central processor that will monitor and maintain this consistent process. In the case that any of these parameters are not met the computer will not allow for the process to continue forward or the machine must be intelligent enough to compensate for variables by offsetting those changes. This is known as artificial intelligence.Once all these criteria have been met, and gears are now being molded we must now check them for their accuracy. I will discuss two methods by which we will determine whether these gears are acceptable to print. Initially, analysis of the gear tooth geometry itself must take place. Secondly, analysis of the entire gear and its relationship to its axis must take place. Analysis of the gear tooth geometry is done typically by a touch probe method. This probe will scan across the entire tooth in order to determine how much deviation there is to the theoretically perfect tooth form that was intended. The touch probe is controlled by sophisticated computer numerical controlled inspection machine program that will undertake the arduous task of scanning into the minutest areas of the tooth. Some touch probes required to perform this task can be as small as.3 mm. Once we have determined that this tooth geometry is correct we will proceed to the second phase of the gear inspection. This next phase is known as the roll test. This will determine the relationship between the pitch line of the gear to its axis. This test can be done using the same touch probe technique described earlier but it can be slow and in efficient for extensive inspection. Therefore, a functional gear tester or rolled tester will provide a f...
