Gear Maker gadget for VCarvePro ShopBot edition 8.5

[RayHari]

This morning I tried downloading and installing the gear maker gadget and failed. I searched this forum for answers and found that people were having the same problem I am having for years. I couldn't find a response in any of the topics that resolves the issue or gives a proper reason for why it is happening.

My setup is as follows:
Windows 10, Latest version of Firefox (tried edge also)
used the link from http://gadgets.vectric.com/V8/gear_maker.html
vcarve pro license is VCarve Pro ShopBot edition - 64bit, version 8.517 educational license

When I download I get a file called "http://www.vectric.eu/update/gadgets/v7.5/RyanPatterson/Gear_Maker_Gadget_Install.exe" that is 423 KB. During the setup the select components to install box is empty and nothing is getting installed.

Has anybody really solved this problem? I am frustrated.

[FixitMike]

May I suggest my method for drawing gears? It has several improvements over the many others available. The discussion explains it. On the second page, Paul Rowntree has posted a program that automates my method. viewtopic.php?t=21084 The program produces an .eps vector file of the gear specified.

For those who don't want to waste time reading all the details, here's a copy of Paul's program.

FIM_Gear 20160703d.zip

(1.16 MiB) Downloaded 211 times

There is one error in the program notes. They state that "Mating gears MUST have their PD tangent at one point." This is not true, as one feature of the involute tooth form is that the gears will run correctly even if the installed center distance varies from the theoretical.

Note: Windows 10 Defender and other protective programs don't like the .exe file because they are fussy about files that aren't from a recognized source. It works fine for me.

[Adrian]

Not sure why it's not working with the installer but the attached zip has all the files you need for the Vectric/Ryan gadget. Extract the Gear_Maker folder and place it in the Public Documents/Vectric Files/Gadgets/{your vcarve version} folder. Restart VCarve and it should be there on the Gadgets menu.

[RayHari]

Thanks FixitMike and Adrian for the response. I couldn't use FixitMike's .exe file on my windows 10 machine. But Adrian's gear_maker works great. Thanks once again.

[RayHari]

I have a few questions about the Ryan Patterson version of the gear maker.
1. what does the Line Resolution parameter do to the gear generated?
2. If I want to make 2 gears to mesh properly does it mean they have to be created with the same diametral pitch?
3. If I want to create a 6 teeth gear to mesh properly with a 12 teeth gear is there an easy way to compute the anchor point coordinates in gear_maker?

[PaulRowntree]

Thanks FixitMike and Adrian for the response. I couldn't use FixitMike's .exe file on my windows 10 machine. But Adrian's gear_maker works great. Thanks once again.

What does it do when you try to run it?

My Win10 machine complains (twice!) about safety etc, but then Defender does a virus scan and runs the code.

[RayHari]

What does it do when you try to run it?

----------
Windows protected your PC
Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.

App:
FIM_Gear 20160703d.exe
Publisher:
Unknown publisher
----------

It gave me 2 options. [Run Anyway] and [Don't Run]. I chose Don't Run. Now I tried it again and chose Run Anyway. It does work. I haven't tried the design export of the eps file and importing into vcarve pro yet. I will give that a try and let you know. Thank you very much PaulRowntree & FixitMike.

[RayHari]

PaulRowntree & FixitMike, I tried importing a sample gear eps file created by your program into my vcarve pro and everything looks great. How do I change the gear type from exterior teeth to interior teeth or rack? The option selector is dimmed out.

[FixitMike]

PaulRowntree & FixitMike, I tried importing a sample gear eps file created by your program into my vcarve pro and everything looks great. How do I change the gear type from exterior teeth to interior teeth or rack? The option selector is dimmed out.

I haven't developed the method of constructing internal teeth vectors, so Paul has obviously not been able to add it to the program.

An internal gear basically takes the shape of the spaces between the teeth of an external gear, with the teeth set to the addendum length on the inside, a full radius root cut to the outside, and the backlash cut on the other side of the tooth form. One can modify my method accordingly, but you will have to understand what I did. (It is not perfectly obvious to me now after a few years.)

[PaulRowntree]

It has been a while ... Mike, if you can think your way through this, I would be happy to code it up.

[FixitMike]

OK. It will be on my list.

[RayHari]

Mike, Is there a relationship between pitch diameter and pressure angle for making the smoothest gear or do we have to do it by trial an error?

[FixitMike]

Smaller pressure angle gears have less rubbing action and thus tend to run more smoothly. Larger pressure angle gear teeth will be wider at their base and thus are stronger.

The larger a gear is, the more smoothly it will run.

The more teeth a gear has, the more smoothly it will run.

The fewer teeth on a given diameter, the stronger they will be, except that for less than about 20 teeth they will be undercut, becoming weaker. The problem is less with low pressure angles. The tooth form can be modified some to compensate for this problem. However, tooth strength is usually not much of a problem with wood gears.

One way to improve the smoothness of wood gears is to make sure they have a fair amount of backlash (slop). This can be done by removing more material, or mounting them slightly farther apart.

Normally used pressure angles are 14 1/2, 20, and 25 degrees.

[RayHari]

thanks Mike.

[FixitMike]

Two things you can do to help make gears run smoothly.
1. Make sure the tooth surfaces are smooth--sand with fine sandpaper.
2. Relieve the sharp corners slightly so they don't catch on the mating gear.