Gear data exchange format

Different systems and data processing structures are often used in modern manufacturing processes, in quality testing and in measurement data processing. This makes data exchange difficult and, moreover, susceptible to faults. To improve this situation, VDI/VDE Technical Committee 3.61. "Measurements of gears and gearings" is currently defining a data exchange format for gears (GDE: Gear Data Exchange), which will make electronic data exchange possible in the process covering design, manufacture and quality testing. The data format is based on the modern XML format (Extensible Markup Language) and thus well suited for Internet and database interfacing. It will cover all geometrical parameters of cylindrical gears, including modifications and tolerances of these. A description is given of first practical applications and of the perspectives of this new development which opens up new vistas.