Three-dimensional virtual manufacturing of worm gears

A new method, which is based on three dimensional modeling and simulation, is proposed for virtual manufacturing of worm gears. The principle of the new approach is to simulate the worm gear hobbing process to generate the complex tooth surface using advanced computer aided design packages. A three-dimensional worm gear drive model, developed using the new method, has been virtually manufactured using Pro/Engineer. The tooth surface interference, tooth meshing and contact path of the worm gear drive have been simulated in the three dimensional virtual environment.