Flank Surface Treatment of Spur Gears Machined by MQL Assisted Hobbing Using Micro-Plasma Transferred Arc

Abstract

In the present study, feasibility of micro-plasma transferred arc (M-PTA) for flank surface treatment of gears has been explored. 20MnCr5 spur gears manufactured by sustainable technique minimum quantity lubrication assisted hobbing (MQLAH) were subjected to M-PTA-based heat treatment for further improving the surface properties of flank surface and comparisons were made with respect to M-PTA treated gears machined by conventional flood lubrication assisted hobbing (FLAH). The results revealed that M-PTA enhanced flank surface hardness of all the gears without deteriorating the gear accuracy. However, flank hardness increment was observed to be almost 18% in case of MQLAH gears as compared to 15% for FLAH gears. This study proves that M-PTA based heat treatment after MQLAH can result in superior surface hardness along with better gear accuracy and can improve the sustainability of overall process chain involved in machining-based gear manufacturing. © 2022 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.