1.

2 Types of Gear
The gear has been classified through a lot of methods. The classification that is most popular is through the different
position of the gear axis. Another way is through method of manufacturing, material and Tooth profile.
This time we introduce the methods through different position of gear axis and manufacturing.

Classifications by the position of gear axis

(1) Parallel axis gear (The teeth are parallel to axis) Spur gear

a) Spur gear
This is Cylindrical gear. Tooth trace is parallel to axis.
This is a highly demanded gear, which is easy to man-
ufacture and to assemble.

b) Helical gear
This is a Cylindrical gear. Tooth trace has helix curve.
Helical gear provides more strength, less oscillation Helical gear
and lower noise level compared with Spur gears.
However Helical gear provides a thrust load to axis
direction. If changed rotating direction, thrust load is
reversed.

c) Internal gear
This is a cylindrical gear ring with teeth formed at the
inner diameter. The most popular demand for Internal Internal gear
gears is used for mechanism of planetary gear train.
There are two types of Tooth trace, one is parallel and
the other is helix to axis. However gear with parallel
axis has higher demand.

d) Straight Rack Straight Rack

It is thought that radius of spur gear grew infinite to
become a straight line. It can be matched with Spur
Helical Rack
gear to convert between the rectilinear motion and
the rotary motion.

e) Helical Rack
It is thought that radius of Helical gear grew infinite to
become a straight line and Tooth trace is also straight
line. It can be matched with Helical gear to convert
between the rectilinear motion and the rotary mo-
tion.

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 f) Double helical gear Double helical gear
The shape looks like two Helical gear joined together.
Therefore this type of gear does not have thrust load
to axis during operation.

∗Other types of gear designs used for parallel axis

such as non-circular gear and Eccentricity gear are
available but omitted this time.

(2) Intersecting axis gear

g) Straight bevel (Miter) gear Straight bevel (Miter) gear

This is gear with Tooth trace, which is a straight line in
the same direction as surface element of Pitch cone.
Miter gear has shaft angle of 90° and gear ratio of 1:1.

h) Angular straight bevel gear

Angular straight bevel gear which does not have shaft Angular straight bevel gear
angle of 90°.

i) Spiral bevel gear Spiral bevel gear

Tooth trace is described as a curve with spiral angle.
Spiral bevel gear has advantage over Straight bevel
gear for gear strength, oscillation and noise level.
Disadvantage of Spiral bevel gear is axial thrust load.
Therefore proper bearing location and firm support
are needed.

j) Angular spiral bevel gear

Angular spiral bevel gear does not have shaft angle of Angular spiral bevel gear
90°.

k) Zerol® bevel gear

This is Zerol® bevel gear, similar to Spiral bevel gear
with zero spiral angle. The Tooth trace is described as Zerol® bevel gear
a curve with spiral angle of zero degree. (Occasionally,
spiral angle 10° or below are also called Zerol® bevel
gear.)
The force of tooth action is the same as Straight bevel
gear.
( Ⓡ mark is Gleason Works trademark)

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l) Face gear
is Face gear. A Toothed disk gear, can be matched
with Spur or Helical gear. There are two types of Face
gear with shaft angle 90°, intersecting axis and Non
intersecting axis.

Face gear
(3) Skew gear (Non Intersected Gear)

Cylindrical worm
m) Cylindrical worm gear
Cylindrical worm
This is a Worm gear pair consisting of Cylindrical
worm gear and Worm wheel.
Meaning of Cylindrical worm gear is that the thread
has one or more starts.
This Worm gear pair provides high speed reducing
ratio and low noise level. Disadvantages are low ef-
ficiency and generation of heat. Cylindrical worm wheel

Crossed helical gear (Screw gear)

n) Crossed helical gear (Screw gear)
This is a Gear pair for transmission between Non-
parallel and Non-intersecting axes of Cylindrical gears
as pair of Helical or Spur gear. Due to spot contact in
theory, design of transmission should be light load.

Hypoid® gear
o) Hypoid® gear
This is a gear for transmission between Non-parallel
and Non-intersecting axis of conical gear. This gear is
similar to Spiral bevel gear. Most popular usage is for
Deferential gear for automotive.
( Ⓡ mark is Gleason Works trademark)

∗O thers including Enveloping worm, Spiroid® and

Helicon gear types of gear designs are available for
Non-parallel and Non-intersecting axis but omitted
this time. ( Ⓡ mark is ITW trademark)

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 (4) Machine elements compared with gear for simi- Sprockets
lar shape and purpose of usage.

p) Sprockets
This is Sprocket wheel used for matching with bushed
chain and Ladder chains. Usage is for transmitting a
power over long distances between axes.

Ratchet gear
r) Ratchet gear
This is Ratchet gear, which looks like the teeth of saw
formed at external wheel used for positioning (index-
ing) and preventing inversion.

s) Timing Pulley Timing Pulley

This is Timing pulley using matching timing belt (belt
with teeth). Usage is for transmitting power over long
distance between axes.

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Classifications by different manufacturing
methods.
(1) Machined gear
Tooth of Spur and Helical gears are machined,
method of manufacturing are hobbing machine, gear
shaper, gear plainer and other machining. For mass
production, method of broaching is used. As for Bevel
gear process, dedicated cutting machine is usually
used. However hobbing machine is rarely used.
(2) Shaving gear
This is a shaving gear that shaves out the minute fin-
ishing layer on the Tooth flank by shaving machine
and its cutter.
(5) Injection molded gear.
This is a gear formed by injecting molten plastic into
a mold and applying pressure for a fixed duration.
(6) Sintering Gear
This is Sintering gear. Metallic powder is put into the
mold before applying pressure and heat to gear mold
to harden. Occasionally there are re-pressuring and
re-sintering. Impregnation of oil, heat treatment and
surface treatment can also be applied after the 1st
sintering process. Sintering gear is suitable for mass
production.
∗ On the other hand, we have the gears with pressed,
forged or EMS (Electric Spark Machine and Wire Cut
Sparking Machine) but omitted this time.

(3) Ground gear Refer to Table 1 for an estimate of System of accuracy

Grinding machine is used for making ground tooth depending on difference in gear processing methods
flank. Classified as two methods of Form grinding and used for economical production.
General grinding. Both processes use grinding wheel
(Diamond and CBN). To obtain high quality gear, ac- Table 1.
curate lathing of the gear is necessary. The electrolytic Comparison table of System of accuracy between
ground gear has been developed recently but expla- different gear manufacturing methods
nation will be omitted this time. (Confirmed by JIS B 1702-1995)
Fabrication and Distinctive
heat treatment 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
System of Accuracy
of JIS B1702 (old)
(4) Precision cold rolled processed gear
Non-Quenching Hobbing
This is a gear done using plastic working (cold roll- gear Shaving
ing) to form tooth by compression. KG Worm gears
Hobbing
of module 0.5 to 2.0 are manufactured by using the Quenched gear Shaving
Cold rolling forming method. The fabrication of Cold
Grinding
rolling-Worm gear is formed by rotating the hydraulic
compression which causes the teeth to rise on both
sides of the rolling tooth machine. The Tooth flank of
Worm gear has glassy finish like mirror.