Using Hob Offset to Balance Dynamic Strength in Spur Gears*

An analytical study of the effect of hob offset on dynamic tooth strength of spur gears is presented. The study was limited to equal and opposite offset values applied to the pinion and gear to maintain the standard operating center distance. The analysis presented is performed using a new version of the NASA gear dynamics code DANST.

The operating speed of a transmission has a significant influence on the amount of hob offset required to equalize dynamic stresses in the pinion and gear. In the transmission studied, at low speeds, the optimum hob offset was found to fluctuate within a range. At higher speeds, the optimum value is constrained by the minimum allowed thickness at the tip of the pinion tooth. For gears that must operate over a range of speeds, an average offset value can be used. Spur gears designed with the procedure presented here can have significant improvements in load capacity.