Three point load application in single tooth bending fatigue test for evaluation of gear blank manufacturing methods

This study deals with the applicability of a single tooth bending fatigue test in the evaluation of gear blank manufacturing methods using three point bending loading. The “single tooth bending test” is an effective and rapid way of determination of the performances of gears instead of expensive and time-consuming life tests. Bending tests were applied to two groups of gears cut by hobbing and gear shaving from gear blanks. The first group of gear blanks was obtained by CNC-lathe machining from round bars and the second group of blanks was produced by closed-die upsetting. Both of the gear groups were additionally tested after case hardening by carburizing. It was shown that the three point bending test can easily be adapted and applied as an effective and rapid way of comparing the performances of such gears.