Geometric error analysis and compensation for multi-axis spiral bevel gears milling machine

Abstract This article proposes a method to analyze and compensate geometric errors of six-axis CNC grinding machines for spiral bevel gears. Volumetric error prediction and compensation models are realized by the forward and inverse kinematics modeling via the screw theory. Key geometric error items of motion axes and their influences on gear tooth performance are modeled and analyzed. Advantages of the proposed compensation method for geometric errors over the machine settings modification method are demonstrated. The compensation strategy has been verified on a six-axis grinding machine controlled by a Siemens CNC. The pitch error and tooth form error of machined gears before and after compensation are compared to validate the effectivity of the proposed compensation method.