When it comes to gear manufacturing, there are a handful of different processes that can be used to create the same gear, gear hobbing is one of them.
Gear hobbing relies on a special form milling machine with a tool known as a hob, which generates the teeth in both gears and splines. While every job is unique, there are five main advantages of choosing hobbing to manufacture your gears:
- Speed. Some gear manufacturing processes take a long time, but gear hobbing is relatively fast. The machine is simple, so it doesn’t require as much operational attention. Some gears can even be stacked in multiple units that can be hobbed all at the same time.
- Precision. With the right expertise, hobbing can be highly precise, resulting in high quality gears. That said, not just anyone can operate a hobbing machine.
- Flexibility. There’s more than one type of hob—and more than one type of hobbing machine, allowing for countless gear variations that can be engineered for specialized applications.
- Versatility. While hobbing is often used for spur gears, the process can be used for a variety of other gears, such as cycloid gears, helical gears, worm gears, ratchets, splines, and sprockets (as long as you have the right tools for the job).
- Output. Because gear hobbing is a relatively quicker gear manufacturing process, it creates the opportunity to increase output, allowing you to fulfill more orders in less time.
In order to choose the best method to manufacture your gears, it’s important to consider the unique specs of the job.
Outsourcing Your Gear Hobbing Project
If you want to speed up production cycles, increase your output, and ensure you have the flexibility to keep up with changing customer demands but don’t have the capital or bandwith to invest in new equipment or hire new employees, outsource your project to a trusted partner that has the expertise, capacity, and equipment to take on your projects.
Federal Gear and Machine can:
- Create the capacity you need for growth
- Provide design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise
- Increase your product quality
- Eliminate the need to invest in new equipment
We offer short-term and long-term production, allowing you to easily outsource your projects. With a broad range of capabilities, we are a one-stop shop for prototypes and small to medium runs from 1-1,000+.
Contact one of our gearing experts to learn how we can help you hob your next project.