Scalable multi-distance measurement approach for the optical assessment of tooth-individual shape parameters of large gearings

The demand for scalable measuring systems for the fast measurement of tooth-individual shape parameters of large gears is increasing. Due to a limited measuring speed and a limited measuring volume, standard tactile gear measuring systems are only conditionally suitable for comprehensive measurements of large gears. Therefore, the applicability of a scalable optical multi-distance measurement approach consisting of an optical sensor and a rotary table with a model-based evaluation is studied. As a fundamental gear shape parameter, the base circle radius of a large gearing is evaluated and the achievable measurement uncertainty is estimated. As a result, the tooth-individual base circle radius is determined on average with an expanded measurement uncertainty (k = 2) of one quarter of the required tolerance, and the realized measurement setup enables the measurement of all teeth within 1 minute. Hence, the scalable optical multi-distance measurement approach is appliacable for the fast measurement of tooth-individual shape parameters of large gearings.