Cutting Splines

[rimbaldi86]

Question: I need to have a shaft manufactured for an automotive gearbox application. The shaft has a variety of diameters and bearing surfaces plus 3 splined sections. What is the best and most economical approach? Having the shaft CNC manaufactured via CAD, or manually machining the component in a lathe. What machine is used to cut splines, internal and external?

Many thanks in advance,

 

[unclesyd]

There are several approaches to accomplish you requirements. As you don't say whether this is a one off or a production run I would contact these people and try to locate a shop that can handle your job by Rotary Broaching.

http://www.slatertools.com/

 

[unclesyd]

If your requirements for large numbers here is a place to start.

http://www.kinefac.com/index.htm

 

[mechantaeus]

One way that did it was CNC milled the splines. It was a prod run of @500 shafts a day so investment in the 4 axis MORI vmc was worth it.

The cheapest way I have heard of is spline broaching.

tell us how u finally did it.

Work Hard and Work Smart

 

[grinderguy]

Splines on automotive shafts are generally rolled. Very expensive dies and equipment. The next procedure is "hobbing" with something like a Barber Coleman hobber. Determining what you want to make can be very difficult because the pressure angle on an automotive part may not be a common angle. I buy hobs at Ash Gear. So far I have assumed the splines are involute. If they have straight sides, they can be made with a milling machine.

Robert Setree

http://www.advanced-grinding.com