Features of using the over-skiving method for multi-pass cutting of external gears

Problem. There is a problem of determining the working parameters, including axial feed and cutting speed, as well as the helix angle of the teeth of the disc cutter and the tool spindle, the geometry of the cutting part, and the cutting depth per pass in Power skiving technology.Objective. It is necessary to investigate the cutting process using the Power Skiving method for generating external gears over multiple passes and develop recommendations for selecting its optimal parameters.Implementation methodology. The cutting force and its tangential component acting on the cutter are presented based on the fundamental principles of cutting theory, using the function of the cross-sectional area of the cut, the material strength limits of the workpiece for shear, and the intensity of plastic deformation of the chip. Calculations of the cut area are based on a graphoanalytical 3D model of the undeformed chip. The coefficient of shear intensity is determined depending on the thickness of the cut layers using the Deform 2D system. The study of the force factors is conducted in the initial stage for single-tooth cutting, considering the operation of a single tooth of the tool, and for multi-tooth cutting conditions, corresponding to real cutting and forming conditions in this method.Results. Analysis of harmonic vibrations with different frequencies of the investigated forces indicates that, under average loading, the maximum principal component of the cutting force occurs on the third pass, and the tangential force on the tool axis occurs on the first pass. The variation in the frequency of these signals is explained by changes in the contact angle between the tool and the gear wheel in the machine engagement and the different number of teeth involved in cutting.Conclusions. The obtained data allowed the development of a methodology for selecting rational parameters - axial feed values, the number of passes with different cutting depths to minimize time consumption, and achieve the desired accuracy of gears. It has been demonstrated that to reduce processing errors, it is most rational to decrease cutting force by increasing the number of passes, rather than reducing the axial feed.