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AGMA ISO 10064- 2

(ISO/TR 10064--2:1996 IDT)

AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Cylindrical Gears - Code of Inspection

Practice - Part 2: Inspection Related to
Radial Composite Deviations, Runout,
Tooth Thickness and Backlash
AGMA ISO 10064- 2

AGMA INFORMATION SHEET

(This Information Sheet is NOT an AGMA Standard)
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American Cylindrical Gears - Code of Inspection Practice - Part 2: Inspection Related

Gear to Radial Composite Deviations, Runout, Tooth Thickness and Backlash
Manufacturers AGMA ISO 10064--2
Association CAUTION NOTICE: AGMA technical publications are subject to constant improvement,
revision, or withdrawal as dictated by experience. Any person who refers to any AGMA
technical publication should be sure that the publication is the latest available from the As-
sociation on the subject matter.
[Tables or other self--supporting sections may be quoted or extracted. Credit lines should
read: Extracted from AGMA ISO 10064--2, Cylindrical Gears -- Code of Inspection Prac-
tice -- Part 2: Inspection Related to Radial Composite Deviations, Runout, Tooth Thick-
ness and Backlash, with the permission of the publisher, the American Gear
Manufacturers Association, 1500 King Street, Suite 201, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.]
Approved May 20, 1999
ABSTRACT
This information sheet provides a code of practice dealing with inspection relevant to radial composite devi-
ations, runout, tooth thickness and backlash of cylindrical involute gears (measurements referred to double
flank contact), and serves as a supplement to ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--2, Cylindrical gears -- ISO system of ac-
curacy -- Part 2: Definitions and allowable values of deviations relevant to composite deviations and runout
information.
Published by
American Gear Manufacturers Association
1500 King Street, Suite 201, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Copyright  1999 by American Gear Manufacturers Association
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic
retrieval system or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 1--55589--737--1

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

Contents
Page
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3 Symbols, corresponding terms and definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4 Measurement of radial composite deviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 Measurement of runout, determining eccentricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6 Measurement of tooth thickness, tooth span and dimension over balls or
cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7 Gear limits and fits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Annexes
A Backlash and tooth thickness tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figures
1 Span and tooth thickness allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Tooth thickness, transverse plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Relationship between circumferential jwt , normal jbn , and radial jr backlash . 5
4 Principle of measuring radial composite deviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5 Radial composite deviation diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6 Interpretation of radial composite deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7 Principle of measuring runout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8 Anvil size for measuring runout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
9 Runout from coordinate measuring machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
10 Runout diagram of a gear with 16 teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
11 Runout and pitch deviations of an eccentric gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
12 Gear with zero runout, but with considerable pitch and cumulative pitch
deviations (all space widths are equal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
13 Gear with pitch and cumulative pitch deviations and zero runout . . . . . . . . . . 12
14 Actual gear with little runout and substantial cumulative pitch deviation . . . . 12
15 Runout measurement with a rider when all space widths are equal and
pitch deviations are present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
16 Addendum and chordal tooth thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
17 Chordal tooth thickness measurement by gear tooth caliper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
18 Span measurement of helical gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
19 Limits of span measurement in base tangent plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
20 Dimension Md over (between) balls or cylinders for spur gear teeth . . . . . . . 16
21 Ball size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
22 Radial composite action test measurement of tooth thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
23 Fit of gear teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Tables
1 Standard pin diameters, in mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Foreword
[The foreword, footnotes and annexes, if any, in this document are provided for
informational purposes only and are not to be construed as a part of AGMA ISO 10064--2,
Cylindrical Gears -- Code of Inspection Practice -- Part 2: Inspection Related to Radial
Composite Deviations, Runout, Tooth Thickness and Backlash.]
This document was developed by ISO Technical Committee 60 as a Technical Report with
ANSI/AGMA participation. It was first published on 1996--03--01. In general, the
information in this Information Sheet covers similar subjects as covered in ANSI/AGMA
2000--A88, Gear Classification and Inspection Handbook -- Tolerances and Measuring
Methods for Unassembled Spur and Helical Gears, and ANSI/AGMA 2002--B88, Tooth
Thickness Specification and Measurement, that currently exist.
The user of this Information Sheet is alerted that differences exist between it and
ANSI/AGMA 2000--A88 and ANSI/AGMA 2002--B88. Differences include, but are not
limited to:
-- Measuring methods refer to an accuracy grade numbering system that is reversed,
such that the smallest number represents the smallest tolerance;
-- Terminology used for tooth thickness, backlash, limits and fits are different;
-- Recommendations for master gear engagement with the product gear are different;
-- Runout measurements from CMM measurements are included.
Therefore, the user of AGMA ISO 10064--2 must be very careful when comparing
measurement methods formerly specified using ANSI/AGMA 2000--A88 and ANSI/AGMA
2002--B88.
This version was approved by the Inspection Handbook Committee on April 16, 1999. It
was approved by the Technical Division Executive Committee as an AGMA Information
Sheet on May 20, 1999.
Suggestions for improvement of this Information Sheet will be welcome. They should be
sent to the American Gear Manufacturers Association, 1500 King Street, Suite 201,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

PERSONNEL of the AGMA Inspection and Handbook Committee

Chairman Classification Section: E. Lawson . . . . . . . . . . . . M&M Precision Systems Corporation

Chairman Measuring Methods Section: R.E. Smith . . . . . . R. E. Smith & Company, Inc.

ACTIVE MEMBERS

D.R. Choiniere . . Profile Engineering, Inc. B. Hofrichter . . . . Arrow Gear Company

J. Clatworthy . . . . Gear Metrology, Inc. I. Laskin . . . . . . . . Consultant
B.L. Cox . . . . . . . Lockheed Martin Energy Sys. S. Lindley . . . . . . The Falk Corporation
T.C. Glasener . . . Xtek, Incorporated D.A. McCarroll . . ZF Industries
G.G. Grana . . . . . The Gleason Works D.R. McVittie . . . . Gear Engineers, Inc.
D. Heinrich . . . . . Xtek, Incorporated L.J. Smith . . . . . . Invincible Gear Company

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

M. Antosiewicz . . The Falk Corporation G.A. Luetkemeier Rockwell Automation/Dodge

M.J. Barron . . . . . Oliver Gear, Inc. J. Marfice . . . . . . Caterpillar, Inc.
R.E. Brown . . . . . Caterpillar, Inc. D. Matzo . . . . . . . Northwest Gears, Inc.
M.K. Considine . . Considine Associates M. May . . . . . . . . . The Gleason Works
R. Considine . . . . Considine Associates P.A. McNamara . Caterpillar, Inc.
J.S. Cowan . . . . . Eaton Corporation W.J. Michaels . . . Sundstrand Corporation
M.E. Cowan . . . . M&M Precision Systems Corp. M. Milam . . . . . . . Amarillo Gear Company
B. Cowley . . . . . . Mahr Corporation T. Miller . . . . . . . . The Cincinnati Gear Co.
C. Dick . . . . . . . . . The Horsburgh & Scott Co.
M. Nanlawala . . . IIT Research Institute
H.D. Dodd . . . . . . Caterpillar, Inc.
M. Octrue . . . . . . CETIM
R. Green . . . . . . . Eaton Corporation
T. Okamoto . . . . . Nippon Gear Company, Ltd.
D. Gregory . . . . . Gear Products, Inc.
J.A. Pennell . . . . . Univ. of Newcastle--Upon--Tyne
B. Gudates . . . . . Fairfield Manufacturing Co., Inc.
K.R. Price . . . . . . Eastman Kodak Company
J.S. Hamilton . . . Regal--Beloit Corporation
R.S. Ramberg . . . The Gear Works -- Seattle, Inc.
H. Harary . . . . . . . NIST
G. Henriot . . . . . . Consultant V.Z. Rychlinski . . Brad Foote Gear Works, Inc.
J. Horwell . . . . . . Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Corp. D.H. Senkfor . . . . Precision Gear Company
S. Johnson . . . . . The Gear Works -- Seattle, Inc. S. Shariff . . . . . . . PMI Food Equipment Group
T. Klemm . . . . . . . Liebherr Gear Technology Co. E.L. Storm . . . . . . Consultant
D.E. Kosal . . . . . . National Broach & Machine Co. T. Waldie . . . . . . . Philadelphia Gear Corporation
J. Koshiol . . . . . . Columbia Gear Corp. R.F. Wasilewski . Arrow Gear Company
W.E. Lake . . . . . . Focus Tech. -- Gear Mfg & Met. F.M. Young . . . . . Forest City Gear Company
A.J. Lemanski . . . Penn State University P. Zwart . . . . . . . Caterpillar, Inc.

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

American Gear Manufacturers editions of the standards indicated below. Members

of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid
Association -- International Standards.
ISO 53:1974, Cylindrical gears for general and
Cylindrical Gears -- Code heavy engineering -- Basic rack.

of Inspection Practice -- ISO 54:1977, Cylindrical gears for general engi-

neering and heavy engineering -- Modules and

Part 2: Inspection diametral pitches.

AGMA 915--3--A99, Inspection practices -- Gear

Related to Radial blanks, shaft center distance and parallelism.

Composite Deviations, ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--1:1995, Cylindrical gears --

ISO system of accuracy -- Part 1: Definitions and
Runout, Tooth Thickness allowable values of deviations relevant to corre-
sponding flanks of gear teeth.
and Backlash ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--2:1997, Cylindrical gears --
ISO system of accuracy -- Part 2: Definitions and
allowable values of deviations relevant to radial
composite deviations and runout information.

1 Scope ISO/TR 10064--1:1992, Cylindrical gears -- Code of

inspection practice -- Part 1: Inspection of corre-
This part of the ISO Technical Report constitutes a sponding flanks of gear teeth.
code of practice dealing with inspection relevant to
radial composite deviations, runout, tooth thickness
and backlash of cylindrical involute gears; i.e., with 3 Symbols, corresponding terms and
measurements referred to double flank contact. definitions
In providing advice on gear checking methods and
the analysis of measurement results, it supplements 3.1 Lower case symbols
the standard ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--2. Most of the
terms used are defined in ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--2. Symbol Definition Units
a center distance mm
Annex A provides a method to select gear tooth
b facewidth mm
thickness tolerances and minimum backlash of a
d reference diameter mm
gear mesh. Suggested values for minimum backlash
db base diameter mm
are included.
da tip diameter mm
fe eccentricity mm
fi′′ tooth--to--tooth radial mm
2 References composite deviation
ha addendum mm
The following standards contain provisions which, hc reference chordal height mm
through reference in this text, constitute provisions of mn normal module --
AGMA ISO 10064--2. At the time of publication, the
sn normal tooth thickness mm
editions indicated were valid. All standards are
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based snc normal chordal tooth thickness mm
on AGMA ISO 10064--2 are encouraged to investi- x profile shift coefficient --
gate the possibility of applying the most recent z number of teeth --

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

3.2 Upper case symbols 3.5.2 Definitions with regard to tooth thickness

Symbol Definition Units Nominal tooth thickness, sn, on the reference

DM diameter of ball or cylinder mm cylinder in a normal plane is equal to the theoretical
used for measurement value for meshing without backlash with a mating
Esni lower tooth thickness mm gear, which also has the theoretical tooth thickness,
allowance on the basic center distance. The nominal tooth
Esns upper tooth thickness mm thickness is calculated using the following
allowance equations:
Fi′′ total radial composite mm
for external gears,
deviation
Fr runout mm  2

s n = m n π + 2 tan α n  x  ...(1)
Fr′′ runout by composite test mm
Md dimension over balls or mm for internal gears,

Wk
cylinders (pins)
base tangent length mm

s n = m n π − 2 tan α n  x 
2
 ...(2)

For helical gears, the value of sn is measured in the

3.3 Greek symbols normal plane.

Symbol Definition Units Maximum and minimum limits of tooth thickness,

sns and sni, respectively, are the two extreme
αMt pressure angle in transverse °
plane permissible sizes of tooth thickness between which
αyMt pressure angle, transverse, at ° the actual size should lie, the limits of size being
a specific diameter included. See figure 1.
αn normal pressure angle ° The upper and lower (Esns and Esni, respectively)
β helix angle ° tooth thickness allowances define the limits of
δ prism (anvil) half angle ° gear tooth thickness. See equations 3 and 4 and
εβ overlap ratio -- figure 1.
η tooth space half angle ° E sns = s ns − s n ...(3)
ψ tooth thickness half angle ° E sni = s ni − s n ...(4)
Tooth thickness tolerance, Tsn, is the difference
3.4 Subscript symbols between the upper and the lower tooth thickness
0 tool b base allowance.
1 pinion t transverse T sn = E sns − E sni ...(5)
2 wheel (gear) w working The design values of tooth thickness are usually
3 master gear y any (specified) established from engineering considerations of gear
diameter geometry, gear tooth strength, mounting, and con-
siderations of backlash. The methods for establish-
3.5 Definitions ing design tooth thicknesses for given applications
are beyond the scope of this document.
3.5.1 Definitions with regard to composite
deviation Actual tooth thickness, sn actual, is the tooth
thickness determined by measurement.
The reference axis of a component is defined by
Functional tooth thickness, sfunc, is the maximum
means of datum surfaces. In most cases the axis of
tooth thickness value obtained on a radial composite
the bore can be adequately represented by the axis
action test (double flank) by means of a calibrated
of the mating work arbor (see AGMA 915--3--A99).
master gear.
The geometric axis of the teeth for radial compos- It is a measurement which encompasses the effects
ite deviation is that axis which, if used for the of element deviations in profile, helix, pitch, etc.,
measurement, would give the minimum root mean similar to the concept of maximum material condi-
square (rms) total composite deviation over a tion, see 6.5. It should never exceed the design tooth
complete revolution. thickness.

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

Wk the

Ebni
Tbn
Ebns

T bn = E bns − E bni

rb Wk actual theoretical
actual
normal plane at base cylinder
limits
sn
sni
Esni
sns Tsn sn is nominal tooth thickness
sni is minimum limit of tooth thickness
Esns
sns is maximum limit of tooth thickness
sn actual is actual tooth thickness
Esni is lower tooth thickness allowance
Esns is upper tooth thickness allowance
fsn is tooth thickness deviation
Tsn is tooth thickness tolerance
T sn = E sns − E sni
sn actual
fsn
plane normal to the tooth profile at reference cylinder

Figure 1 -- Span and tooth thickness allowances

The effective tooth thickness of a gear will be NOTE: Figure 2 is drawn at the position of tightest
different than the measured tooth thickness by an center distance; if center distance is increased
amount equal to all the combined effects of the tooth backlash will increase. The maximum effective tooth
thickness (minimum backlash) will be different than
element deviations and mounting, similar to func-
the measured tooth thickness by an amount equal to
tional tooth thickness. all the combined effects of the tooth element devi-
It is the final envelope condition which encompasses ations, and mounting, similar to functional tooth
all the effects which must be considered to deter- thickness. It is the final envelope condition which
encompasses all the effects which must be consid-
mine the maximum material condition.
ered to determine the maximum material condition.
The tooth element deviations of mating gears may
Usually the backlash under stabilized working condi-
have an additive effect or may cancel each other at tions (working backlash) is different from (smaller
various angular positions within a given mesh. It is than) the backlash which is measured when the
not possible to segregate the individual tooth ele- gears are mounted in the housing under static
ment deviations from the effective tooth thickness. conditions (assembly backlash).
3.5.3 Definitions with regard to backlash
Circumferential backlash, jwt, (figure 3) is the
Backlash is the clearance between the non--working maximum length of arc of the pitch circle through
flanks of two mating gears when their working flanks which a gear can be rotated when the mating gear is
are in contact, as shown in figure 2. fixed.

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Normal backlash, jbn, (figure 3) is the shortest Maximum backlash, jwt max, is the maximum
distance between non--working flanks of two gears circumferential backlash on the pitch circle when the
when the working flanks are in contact. The relation- gear tooth with the smallest allowable effective tooth
ship with the circumferential backlash, jwt, is in thickness is in mesh with the mating gear tooth
accordance with the following equation: having its smallest allowable effective tooth thick-
ness at the largest allowable center distance under
j bn = j wt cos α wt cos β b ...(6)
static conditions (figure 2).
Radial backlash, jr, (figure 3) is the amount by which
the center distance has to be diminished till the
position in which left and right flanks of mating gears
are in contact.
4 Measurement of radial composite
j wt deviations
jr = ...(7)
2 tan α wt
Minimum backlash, jwt min, is the minimum circum-
ferential backlash on the pitch circle when the gear 4.1 Checking principle
tooth with the greatest allowable effective tooth
Radial composite deviations are checked on a
thickness is in mesh with the mating gear tooth
device on which pairs of gears are assembled with
having its greatest allowable effective tooth thick-
one gear on a fixed spindle, the other on a spindle
ness, at the tightest allowable center distance, under
carried on a slide provided with a spring arrange-
static conditions (figure 2).
ment enabling the gears to be held radially in close
The tightest center distance is the minimum working mesh (see figure 4). During rotation, variation of
center distance for external gears and the maximum center distance is measured and when desired, a
working center distance for internal gears. diagram is generated.

Maximum effective
tooth thickness, swt max

Maximum Specified maximum

material tooth thickness
condition
(mating gear) 1/2 Specification
band, radial com-
Greatest backlash posite action test
for tightest centers*
Maximum
Minimum material condition
backlash, jwt min (subject gear)

Minimum effective Pitch

tooth thickness, swt min circle

Minimum
material Specified minimum
tooth thickness Minimum
condition
material
condition

Lower allowance profile

Upper allowance profile 1/2 Specified tolerance band, 0.5 Twst,

elemental measurement
* THIS FIGURE IS DRAWN AT THE POSITION OF TIGHTEST CENTER DISTANCE;
if center distance is increased, backlash will increase.
Figure 2 -- Tooth thickness, transverse plane

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

βb
2 jr
Trace of tooth
αwt jbn (in base tangent plane) surface

Working pitch
jwt circle

90° -- βb
Trace of base
tangent plane

Figure 3 -- Relationship between circumferential jwt , normal jbn , and radial jr backlash

For most inspection purposes, product gears are The tolerance values given in ANSI/AGMA ISO
tested against a master gear. Master gears are 1328--2 are valid for measurements made using a
usually required to be so accurate that their influence master gear.
on radial composite deviations can be neglected in
It is important to note that the accuracy and design of
which case an acceptable record is generated during
the master gear, especially its pressure angle of
one revolution of the product gear.
engagement with the product gear, can influence the
The total radial composite deviation Fi′′ of the gear test results. The master gear should have sufficient
under inspection is equal to the maximum variation depth of engagement to be capable of contact with
of center distance during one revolution. It can be the entire active profile of the product gear, but
determined from the recorded diagram. The tooth-- should not contact its non--active or root parts. Such
to--tooth radial composite deviation fi′′ is equal to the contact can be avoided when the master gear teeth
variation of center distance during rotation through are thick enough to compensate for the product gear
one pitch angle (see figure 5). backlash allowance.

master gear Z product gear view Z (enlarged)

measuring
direction

mesh
without
backlash
During rotation, variation of center distance is measured

Figure 4 -- Principle of measuring radial composite deviations

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

When they are to be used for the quality grading of Tooth--to--tooth composite deviations occurring at
accurate gears, the accuracy of the master gear and each pitch increment tend to indicate profile devi-
the measuring procedure used should be agreed ations (often profile slope deviations). A large
between the purchaser and manufacturer. isolated tooth--to--tooth composite deviation may
indicate a large single pitch deviation or damaged
The tolerances have been established for spur gears tooth (see figure 6).
and can be used to determine an accuracy grade.
When used for helical gears, the master gear With appropriate calibration of the product gear
facewidth should be such that εβ test is less than or setup and checking methods, the measuring pro-
equal to 0.5 with the product gear. The design of the cess can also be used to determine the center
master gear shall be agreed upon between purchas- distance at which the product gear may be meshed
er and manufacturer. The overlap ratio, εβ test, may with minimum backlash. See AGMA 915--3--A99 for
influence the results of radial composite measure- recommendations on shaft center distance and
ments of helical gears. The effects of profile parallelism of axes. Furthermore, the procedure is
deviations, which would be evident with spur gears, useful for checking gears required to operate with
may be concealed because of the multiple tooth and minimum backlash, since the range of functional
diagonal contact lines with helical gears. tooth thickness can readily be derived from the radial
composite deviations.
A chart recording of approximate sinusoidal form
For the determination of an accuracy grade:
(with amplitude fe ) over a single revolution indicates
eccentricity, fe , of the gear teeth. Reference to figure a) For a spur gear, the product gear is to be
5 shows how such a sinusoidal curve can be drawn checked against a master gear capable of making
on the diagram. Eccentricity of a gear is the deviation 100% contact with the active flanks. See ANSI/
between the geometrical axis of the teeth and the AGMA ISO 1328--2 clause 5.5. The tolerance
reference axis (i.e., the bore or shaft). values of total and tooth--to--tooth radial
composite deviations to determine an accuracy
4.2 The utility of radial composite deviation data grade for spur gears are given in ANSI/AGMA ISO
1328--2. It is emphasized that because of the
Radial composite deviations include components simultaneous contributions from both sets of tooth
from the combined deviations of right and left flanks. flanks, such an accuracy grade cannot be directly
Therefore, determination of the individual deviations related to an accuracy grade determined by
of corresponding flanks is not feasible. The inspection of individual element deviations.
measurement of radial composite deviations quickly b) For a helical gear, although the tolerances in
provides information on deficiencies of quality ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--2 are for spur gears,
related to the production machine, the tool or the when agreed between purchaser and
product gear setup. The method is chiefly used for manufacturer they also can be used for
carrying out checking of large quantities of evaluation, provided that εβ test with the master
production gears, as well as fine pitch gears. gear is appropriate, as described in 4.1.

fe
Fr″ Maximum value
of fi″
F i″

360°
0° 360°
z

Figure 5 -- Radial composite deviation diagram

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

1 revolution
Runout
These are fluctuations in center distance during one revolution of the product
gear. They appear in the diagram as slowly increasing and decreasing curves
corresponding to the ratio of the gears.

damaged tooth
Pitch deviations
They are revealed in the diagram as sudden and irregular deflections of the
recording pen of varying magnitude between two adjacent teeth.

Profile deviations
The slight undulations in the curve indicate deviations of the tooth form from the
theoretical involute profile. Each wave corresponds to the period of contact of
one tooth.

Pressure angle deviations (profile slope deviation)

The chart reveals them as regularly spaced and sharp--pointed vertical deflec-
tions, whereby each deflection corresponds to the period of contact of one tooth.

Figure 6 -- Interpretation of radial composite deviation

5 Measurement of runout, determining

eccentricity
anvil or
prism
5.1 Measuring principle

Relative to the gear reference axis, the runout, Fr, of

gear teeth is the difference between the maximum
and the minimum radial positions of a suitable probe ball or cylinder
tip: ball, anvil, cylinder or prism, which is placed
successively in each tooth space as the gear is
rotated (see figure 7). 1 Fr
2
If a ball, cylinder, or anvil that contacts both sides of a
tooth space is used, the tolerance tables in ANSI/
AGMA ISO 1328--2 Annex B may be applied. In
N

some instances, it is desirable to use a rider that

contacts both sides of a tooth. If this is done, the
tolerance tables are not intended to apply. Figure 7 -- Principle of measuring runout

The diameter of the ball shall be selected such that it 5.2 Anvil size for measuring runout
contacts the tooth at mid--tooth depth and it should The anvil size is chosen so that it contacts the flanks
be placed at mid--facewidth (see 6.3 for the calcula- on each side of the space approximately at the
tion of ball diameter). reference circle. The prism half angle, δyt , can be

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

determined by the following approximations, where For external gears:

δyt, αyt , and ηyt are angles of contact on the
measuring circle (see figure 8). st =
mn π
cos β 2
 + 2 tan α n x  ...(13a)

 s
s yt = d y t + inv α t − inv α yt
d
 ...(14a)
δyt For internal gears:

st =
mn π
cos β 2
 − 2 tan α n x  ...(13b)

 s
s yt = d y t − inv α t + inv α yt
d
 ...(14b)

rb For either external or internal:

ηyt r dy
αyt ry tan β y = tan β
d
...(15)
tan δ yn = tan δ yt cos β y ...(16)
5.3 Measuring runout
The simple nature of the measurement permits a
wide range of choices of measuring equipment and
degree of automation. Some methods are briefly
described in the following paragraphs.
5.3.1 Measurement with intermittent indexing of
the product gear
δyn
A simple method in which the gear is intermittently
rotated by hand is often used for small gears. The
probe, placed in successive tooth spaces, is brought
into line for measurement and recording of any
deviation of radial position relative to a datum radial
setting. When indexing and alignment are affected
by an indexing device, the gauging instrument must
have sufficient lateral movement to take into account
the effects on alignment of pitch and helix deviations.
This freedom of movement is necessary to ensure
contact between the gauging equipment and both
tooth flanks.
Figure 8 -- Anvil size for measuring runout
Multi--coordinate numerical control (CNC) measur-
ing machines may also be used for this method of
The anvil should touch the tooth flanks at mid--face measurement. CNC results are affected by helix
width on the measuring circle with diameter dy. angle at the point of probe contact.
δ yt = α yt + η yt ...(8) 5.3.2 Measurement with continuously rotating
product gear
d cos α t
cos α yt = ...(9)
dy The anvil, in contact with both flanks of a tooth space,
moves with rotation of the gear through a preset arc
tan α n
tan α t = ...(10) length. Radial deviations are measured either at the
cos β
highest point of the arc, or at some other fixed point
d y = d + 2m n x ...(11) during the passage through the arc. This is a

 
practical method for measuring the runout of large
η yt = 180 π − s yt ...(12) gears. Measurements can be made on measuring
π z dy
machines or generating machines, but care must be

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

taken to ensure that the reference axis of the gear is always use an 8 star--probe because of the
concentric with the axis of rotation of the machine, contact conditions. See figure 9.
and that the arc length is sufficient to indicate NOTE: If a probe with a standard diameter is used,
maximum deviation. the runout deviation in every tooth space has to be
recalculated for the diameter given in the drawing.
5.3.3 Approximation of runout from radial Considering the same pitch deviation in the tooth
composite deviation space, the recorded runout deviation depends on the
diameter used centering the sphere. Because of the
changing profile angle at the touching points, a
Runout may be approximated from a radial compos-
smaller probe is more sensitive than a bigger one and
ite test as 2fe (see 4.1), by observing the change in gives greater deviation.
center distance during one revolution of the product
b) Measurement with 1--flank contact. A probe
gear and a master gear on a gear rolling fixture (see
with a small diameter is moved inside the tooth
figures 4 and 5). The gears are rolled together in tight
space. The left and right flanks are probed at the
mesh, with one member on a movable center which measurement circle. With these measurements
is spring or weight loaded. The readings include the position of a sphere with a diameter as defined
variations of the reference (master) gear and the in 6.3 is calculated. Depending on the device and
deviations in the gear being tested. These should be the gear parameters, the measurement can be
considered when judging the acceptability of the processed with a rotating table or without one,
gear being tested. To distinguish the runout deter- with an axis parallel probe or by an 8 star--probe.
mined from radial composite deviation from the
5.4 Evaluation of measurement
measurement with a ball or cylinder, Fr , the first is
represented with the symbol Fr′′. 5.4.1 Runout, Fr
The runout, Fr, is, with reference to the gear axis,
5.3.4 Measuring with coordinate measuring
machine equal to the algebraic difference between the
maximum and minimum values of the radial devi-
When using coordinate measuring machines, runout ation measured in accordance with 5.3. It is
and pitch can be measured simultaneously. Two composed of roughly twice the eccentricity, fe,
methods are described. together with superimposed effects of pitch and
profile deviations of the gear (see figure 10).
a) Measurement with 2--flank contact. The
5.4.2 Eccentricity, fe
probing sphere with an appropriate diameter is
moved inside the tooth space until 2--flank contact A diagram showing runout measured is shown in
is realized. Depending on the device and the gear figure 10. The sinusoidal component of the curve
parameters, the measurement can be produced roughly drawn by hand, or calculated by the least
with a rotating table or without one, by means of squares method, indicates (in the plane of measure-
an axis parallel probe or a star--probe. In the case ment) the eccentricity of the teeth to the reference
where a star--probe is used, it is necessary to axis by an amount fe (see figure 10).

a) Runout test with rotating table (four axes) b) Runout test without rotating table (three axes)
and axis parallel probe with 8 -- star probe
Figure 9 -- Runout from coordinate measuring machine

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

20

18

16

14
micrometers Fr
12
fe
10

6 fe
4

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1
Tooth space number
Figure 10 -- Runout diagram of a gear with 16 teeth

5.5 Value of runout measurement 5.6 The relation between runout and pitch
deviations
Control of runout of gears which are required to
operate with minimal backlash, and of master gears When an otherwise perfect gear has an eccentric
to be used in the measurement of radial composite bore, eccentricity, fe, as in figure 11, and it rotates
deviations, is of particular importance. about the axis of the bore, the runout, Fr, will
Measurement of runout as described is not neces- approximately equal 2fe. Eccentricity causes single
sary when the radial composite deviations of gears pitch deviations around the circumference of the
are to be measured. It is clear that details of single gear with a maximum value of fpt max ¶
flank deviations such as pitch or profile deviations, 2fe[sin(180°/z)]/cos αyMt. The resulting cumulative
cannot be derived from measured values of runout. pitch deviation also has a sinusoidal form, with a
For example, two gears of very different accuracy maximum value Fp max ¶ 2fe /cos αyMt. As shown in
grades, with respect to ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--1, figure 11, the angle between the maximum cumula-
can have the same value of runout. This is because a tive pitch deviation and the “runout” is about 90°. The
gear contacts its mate on either right or left flanks, approximate value of this angle is 90° + αt on the left
whereas runout values may be influenced by simul- flanks and 90° -- αt on the right flanks. Runout,
taneous measurement contact with both right and caused by eccentricity, results in a variation in
left flanks. The deviations of both flanks can have backlash, accelerations and decelerations due to
mutually compensated influences on runout. The
pitch deviations.
extent of information which can be derived from the
measurement of runout is largely dependent on However, when little or no runout is measured it does
knowledge of the machining process and the charac- not mean that no pitch deviations are present.
teristics of the machines. Machining using single indexing can create a gear as
However, when the first batch of gears produced by a shown in figure 12, in which all tooth spaces are
given method is inspected in detail in order to equal, resulting in no runout, while substantial pitch
monitor compliance with a specified accuracy grade, and cumulative pitch deviations are present. Figure
variation in further production can be detected by 13 shows this condition graphically. Figure 14 shows
measuring radial composite deviations, instead of an example of an actual gear with little runout and
repeating the detailed inspection. relatively large cumulative pitch deviations.

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

High point of
High point of runout, Fr
eccentricity
Theoretical pitch
Measured pitch

Low point of
eccentricity
Eccentricity,
fe
Reference
axis High point of
pitch deviation, Fp
(approximately 90° from
Runout, Fr high point of Fr)

2 fe
Total
cumulative
pitch
deviation, Fp

Reference circle
Measuring circle
Figure 11 -- Runout and pitch deviations of an eccentric gear

Actual centerline
Theoretical centerline
of tooth space

FpR
All space
widths are equal
FpL

Fr = 0

Figure 12 -- Gear with zero runout, but with considerable pitch and cumulative pitch deviations (all
space widths are equal)

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Theoretical
gear

Actual gear

Pitch
deviation

Cumulative
pitch
deviation

Runout

Figure 13 -- Gear with pitch and cumulative pitch deviations and zero runout

Pitch number
F pL = 58 mm F pR = 55 mm F r = 15 mm

Figure 14 -- Actual gear with little runout and substantial cumulative pitch deviation

This condition occurs with double flank processes, pitch deviation may be eccentricity of the machine
such as with form grinding or generating grinding index wheel.
(both of which index between grinding successive
tooth spaces), when the bore of the gear is To reveal this condition on the gear, a modified
concentric with the axis of the machine table and the runout check can be applied using a “rider” as a
indexing mechanism generates a sinusoidal cumu- probe, see figure 15. The reason why this check
lative pitch deviation. The source of this cumulative detects the effect of the pitch deviations is that here

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

the pitch deviation results in tooth thickness devi- Addendum, hy Choral

ations, which a rider indicates as a radial change addendum
when contacting both flanks.
hyc
Fr(s) Circular Chordal
rider
type thickness, thickness,
A syn sync
Normal plane
Figure 16 -- Addendum and chordal tooth
thickness

6.1 Tooth thickness measurement

A gear tooth caliper can be used for thickness
measurement.
s yn = s yt cos β y ...(17)
rider type B Fr(s)
s ync = d yn sin  s yn 180
d yn π
 ...(18)

1 See 5.2 for βy

2
d yn = d y − d + d ...(19)
cos 2 β b
sin β b = sin β cos α n ...(20)
For external gears, syt is in accordance with equation
14:
N

Figure 15 -- Runout measurement with a rider

h yc = h y +
d yn
2

1 − cos
s yn 180
d yn π
  ...(21)
when all space widths are equal and pitch
deviations are present where
da − d y
hy = ...(22)
2
The gear tooth caliper cannot be used for internal
6 Measurement of tooth thickness, tooth gears.
span and dimension over balls or Allowance for backlash is not included in the nominal
cylinders value of sync tooth thickness. The nominal value is to
be reduced by the amount of the upper and lower
allowances, Esyns and Esyni.
The measured tooth thickness is used to evaluate
the size of an entire tooth or all of the teeth on a given cos α n
E =E ...(23)
gear. It can be based on a few measurements 
s
syn i   cos αyn
s
sn i
between two points or two very short contact lines.
For Esns and Esni see 7.2.
The nature and the location of these contacts is
determined by the type of measurement (span, balls, tan α yn = tan α yt cos β y ...(24)
cylinder or tooth caliper) and the influence of For αyt see 5.2.The actual tooth thickness is to be
elemental deviations. It is customary to assume that
the entire gear is characterized by the measured sync + Esyni ≤ sync actual ≤ sync + Esyns
data from as few as one or two measurements. ...(25)
Esyni and Esyns with appropriate mathematical sign.
Control of tooth thickness is essential for the mating
gears to operate with the specified backlash. In The advantage of chordal thickness measurement
some cases it is not easy, due to addendum by gear tooth caliper is that it uses a portable
modification, to check tooth thickness at the refer- hand--held instrument. Portability and simplicity are
ence diameter, d, so the formulae give the tooth its principal advantages. See figure 17.
thickness, s, for any diameter, dy. See figure 16. A A limitation of chordal tooth thickness measurement
recommended choice is dy = d + 2mn x. is that the tooth caliper requires an experienced

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

operator because the anvils make contact with the 6.2 Span measurement
tooth flanks on their corners, rather than on the flats.
The length, Wk, is the distance measured in a base
Another is that measurement of the chordal tooth
thickness with a tooth caliper is not reliable due to tangent plane between two parallel planes touching
uncertainties, among other things, about tip cylinder a right flank and a left flank over k teeth of an external
accuracy and concentricity, and the indifferent gear or over k tooth spaces of an internal gear. The
resolution of the measuring scale. Whenever distance is constant along all normals between and
practicable, more reliable span, pin, or ball measure- common to both tooth profiles (see figures 18 and
ments should be used instead. 19).

Normal to
base tangent
plane
Base
tangent
plane
Base
tangent

Transverse plane

Base
circle
Figure 17 -- Chordal tooth thickness
measurement by gear tooth caliper Figure 18 -- Span measurement of helical gears

Wy
pbn
sbn
Base tangent
plane pbn

βb

b
M
b 2

db db
tan α yt tan α yt b
M
2 2 2
W y cos β b

pbt sbt pbt

Base tangent

αyt

db dy

Figure 19 -- Limits of span measurement in base tangent plane

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

In the practical measurement of external gears, the or let

parallel planes are gauging surfaces with provision
b > 1.015 W k sin β b ...(35)
made for measuring the distance between them.
In case of profile or helix modifications, the span
The number of teeth, k, between the gauge surfaces measurement should be carried out on the un--
is chosen so that the lines of contact are roughly at modified part of the tooth flank. For helix crowning, a
mid--tooth depth, and is calculated as follows: correction should be made of the nominal tooth
Wy − s W y − s bn thickness of the span for helical teeth; for spur gears
k = π m cosbn
α +1= p +1 ...(26) with crowning, the measurement should be carried
n n bn
rounded to the nearest integer out on the apex of the crowning.

where 6.3 Control of tooth thickness by determining

the dimension over balls or cylinders
d b tan α yt
Wy = ...(27) When the facewidth of a helical gear is too small to
cos β b
permit a measurement of span, an indirect check of
For βb see equation 20. tooth thickness can be made by measuring the
dimension over or between two balls or cylinders

s bn = m n cos α n π + z inv α t + 2 tan α n x
2
 (pins) placed in tooth spaces which are as nearly as
...(28) possible diametrically opposite (figure 20).

For αyt and αt see equations 9 and 10. The span 6.3.1 Dimensions of balls or cylinders, DM
measurement is given by: a) For external gears:
d y sin η yt
W k = m n cos α n ( k − 0.5 )π + z inv α t D M the = cos β b ...(36)
+ 2 tan α n x ] , or
...(29)

cos α yt + η yt 
W k = ( k − 1 )p bn + s bn ...(30) b) For internal gears:
d y sin η yt
Backlash allowance is not included in a nominal D M the = cos β b ...(37)
value of Wk . The nominal value is to be reduced for 
cos α yt − η yt 
external and increased for internal gears by the
For αyt, dy, ηyt and βb see equations 9, 11, 12 and
amount of upper and lower allowances, Ebns and Ebni
20.
(see figure 1).
DM is to be chosen as the next larger diameter from
E =E cos α n ...(31)

s
bn i 
s
sn i
the Renard Series R 40 or from a table of pins known
to be available to the gear manufacturer, such as
a) For external gears: those listed in table 1. Also see figure 21.

W k + E bni ≤ W k actual ≤ W k + E bns ...(32) Table 1 -- Standard pin diameters, in mm

b) For internal gears: 2 5.5 16
2.25 6 18
W k − E bni ≤ W k actual ≤ W k − E bns ...(33)
2.5 6.5 20
Ebni and Ebns with appropriate mathematical sign. 2.75 7 22
3 7.5 25
The span measuring method is not suitable for
measurements of internal gears with helical teeth. 3.25 8 28
Also, for helical gears the span measuring method is 3.5 9 30
limited by the facewidth of the gear. Measurement is 3.75 10 35
possible if: 4 10.5 40
4.25 11 45
b > W k sin β b + b M cos β b ...(34)
4.5 12 50
where 5 14 --
m
b M = 5 or b M = n 5.25 15 --
4

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Md
Md
Md

db
db αMt 90° 180°
z z αMt
DM DM DM
dM
dM

Figure 20 -- Dimension Md over (between) balls or cylinders for spur gear teeth

6.3.2 Dimensions over balls or cylinders, Md where:

DM 2 tan α n x
a) For external gears with an even number of invα Mt = inv α t − m z cos αn − z + π
teeth: n 2z
...(43)
m n z cos α t
Md = + DM ...(38) 6.3.3 Backlash allowance measuring over balls
cos β cos α Mt
or cylinders
b) For external gears with an odd number of teeth:
Allowance for backlash is not included in the nominal
m n z cos α t
Md =
cos β cos α Mt
cos 90  
z + DM ...(39) value of Md . The nominal value is to be reduced by
the amount of upper and lower deviations, Eyns and
where: Eyni , converted by the following formulae, see 7.2.
DM 2 tan α n x With an even number of teeth:
inv α Mt = inv α t + m z cos αn + z − π
n 2z cos α t
...(40) E ≅E ...(44)

s
yn i 
s
sn i sin α Mt cos β b

DM the/cos βb With an odd number of teeth:

cos α t
E s ≅E s cos 90   ...(45)
yn i sn i sin α
Mt cos β b
z

The dimension over balls or cylinders is then:

a) For external gears:
M d + E yni ≤ M d actual ≤ M d + E yns ...(46)
rb
ηyt b) For internal gears:
αyt r
ry M d − E yns ≤ M d actual ≤ M d − E yni ...(47)
Eyni and Eyns with appropriate mathematical sign.
For internal gears with helical teeth, only balls can be
used. Micrometers with spherical anvils and spindle
ends are often used for this measurement method.
The minimum dimension measured is in a trans-
verse plane between balls placed in diametrically
Figure 21 -- Ball size opposite tooth spaces, and is the true dimension.
When measuring helical gears with odd numbers of
teeth, suitable means for positioning the balls in a
c) For internal gears with an even number of transverse plane are required.
teeth:
6.4 Tooth thickness measurement with radial
m n z cos α t
Md = − DM ...(41) composite measurement
cos β cos α Mt
The measurement of the tooth thickness with the
d) For internal gears with an odd number of teeth:
radial composite measurement has the advantage
m n z cos α t
Md =
cos β cos α Mt
cos 90  
z − DM ...(42) that functional tooth thickness, which includes the
effect of all tooth deviations, is measured. Where the

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

size of the work permits, and the tooling can be to the circular pitch on that circle. Also, the operating
justified, a radial composite action test, test radius pitch diameters of the two gears must be in
measurement, is the best method to inspect tooth proportion to the numbers of teeth. These relation-
thickness. Radial composite action test measure- ships, with the fundamental tooth thickness equa-
ment inspects every tooth of the product gear in one tions, yield simultaneous equations, from which the
operation. This is much faster than making multiple operating transverse pressure angle can be found.
measurements with the other methods. s + s bt3 − p bt
inv α wt3 = bt2 ...(49)
d b2 + d b3
However, this method is limited to medium and
smaller gears, since testing machines capable of where
more than 500 mm center distance are rarely sbt2 is maximum transverse base tooth thick-
available. In special circumstances testing can be ness of product gear, mm;
accomplished in place on the cutting machine. sbt3 is transverse base tooth thickness of master
Special attention must be paid to the mounting gear, mm;
surfaces to assure that the test performed is db2 is base circle diameter of product gear, mm;
representative of the gear as it will be installed. db3 is base circle diameter of master gear, mm;
Special machines or attachments are required for
αwt3 is transverse operating pressure angle in
internal gears.
tight mesh, degrees;
Test machines must be carefully calibrated, particu- pbt is transverse base pitch.
larly for fine pitch and high accuracy gears.
αwt3 can also be calculated from:
6.5 Calculations for radial composite action test
measurement sn2m+sn3 − π
inv α wt3 =
z2 + z3 
n
The following method applies to external gears. + inv α t ...(50)

The proportions of the master gear must be checked  

for proper meshing with the product gear to be sure where
that contact takes place near to the tip and true sn2 is normal tooth thickness of the product gear
involute form diameters, without interference. at the reference diameter, mm;
Master gears are usually marked with a test radius sn3 is normal tooth thickness of the master gear
which is the radius at which they would mesh with a at the reference diameter, mm;
standard mating gear having a tooth thickness at the z2 is number of teeth in product gear;
reference diameter, d2, of: z3 is number of teeth in master gear;
π d2 The maximum tooth thickness of the product gear at
s t2 = ...(48)
2 z2 the reference circle is equal to the nominal tooth
Special master gears are often required for spur thickness minus the upper tooth thickness
gears with nonstandard proportions. Helical gears allowance for size.
usually require special master gears. All measurements are in the transverse plane.
Master gears must be made very accurately since The value of the maximum center distance, amax, is
any deviation in the master gear is added, in the test given by:
results, to the deviations in the product gear. m n cos α n
a max = z + z3 ...(51)
6.5.1 Maximum test radius 2 cos β b cos α wt3 2
The maximum test radius r2 max is:
The maximum test radius is based on the maximum
effective tooth thickness. The calculation method r 2 max = a max − r 3 ...(52)
assumes that the errors in the master gear are too where
small to affect the test results. This requires a very
accurate master gear, if precision gears are to be r3 is the master gear test radius, mm.
measured. 6.5.2 Minimum test radius
If two gears are in tight mesh, the sum of their tooth Figure 22 illustrates a typical radial composite action
thicknesses on their operating pitch circles is equal test chart. The “trace for maximum gear” represents

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

a gear which has a tooth at the maximum effective Tswt is transverse tooth thickness tolerance at
thickness, swt max . The tolerance band for radial operating diameter with the master.
composite action test or test center distance must r 2 min = a min − r 3 ...(54)
allow the full deviation of the total radial composite
T d
tolerance plus the tooth thickness tolerance. Both T swt = sn w ...(55)
cos β d
components vary with the product gear size and
accuracy.
7 Gear limits and fits
In the following formula for amin, the use of αwt3 for
the minimum pressure angle is an approximation. If
7.1 Introduction
greater accuracy is required, recalculate using
equation 49 or 50 and amin, iterating for a final value. Assembled gears are mating product pieces requir-
ing a clearance fit in order to assure unobstructed
T swt running. The gear pair elements determining the fit
a min = a max − F i′′ − ...(53)
2 tan α wt3 are (figure 23):
s1 tooth thickness of the pinion;
where
s2 tooth thickness of the gear;
amin is minimum center distance; a housing shaft center distance.

INCREASING “ai”
INCREASING “s”
Effect of tooth RADIUS
thickness deviation
Tswt
2 tan α wt3
TEST RADIUS
FOR swt max

TEST RADIUS
FOR st min

TRACE FOR TRACE FOR

MINIMUM MAXIMUM
GEAR GEAR

ONE
REVOLUTION
OF PRODUCT GEAR

RUNOUT

TOTAL COMPOSITE
DEVIATION Fi′′

Figure 22 -- Radial composite action test measurement of tooth thickness

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

Figure 23 -- Fit of gear teeth

Besides the size of these elements, the gear fit is the working conditions; i.e., by the influences of
also influenced by the form and position deviations of deflections, misalignment, bearing runouts, temper-
the gears and of the parallelism of axes. ature effects, and any unknowns, one has to
distinguish:
The (actual) sizes of the tooth thicknesses of pinion
and gear and of the shaft center distance, together -- assembled backlash, and
with the respective gear element deviations, deter- -- working backlash.
mine the backlash, j, of the gear teeth; i.e., the Backlash does not have a fixed value, but may vary
clearance between the non--working flanks at the at different tooth positions due to manufacturing
working diameter. tolerances and working conditions.
Usually, maximum backlash does not affect the This Information Sheet is restricted to assembled
function or smoothness of transmission motion, and backlash and tooth thickness. The measurement of
effective tooth thickness deviation is not the main shaft center distance and the parallelism of axes are
consideration in the selection of gear accuracy.
embodied in AGMA 915--3--A99.
Under these conditions, the selection of thickness
and measuring method is not critical, and the most The form and position deviations of the gear
convenient method can be used. In many applica- elements are embodied in ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328
tions, allowing a larger range of tooth thickness Parts 1 and 2.
tolerance or working backlash will not affect the
Advice on appropriate inspection methods is given in
performance or load capacity of gears and may allow
clause 6. Some guidance on calculating working
more economical manufacturing. A tight tooth thick-
backlash is given in Annex A.
ness tolerance should not be used unless absolutely
necessary, since it has a strong influence on 7.2 Tooth thickness tolerances
manufacturing cost. In those cases where maximum
The effects of the specific size tolerances used for
backlash must be closely controlled, a careful study
gear teeth are dependent on the mounting. In
of the influence factors must be made and the gear
addition, the measurement of size is dependent on
accuracy grade, center distance tolerance and
measurement methods must be carefully specified. methods used and tooth geometry deviations as
discussed in ANSI/AGMA ISO 1328--1 and AGMA
It may be necessary to specify a more precise ISO 10064--1. In order to determine these effects,
accuracy grade to hold maximum backlash within the calculations are made in the transverse plane,
the desired limits. since the final gear motion transmitted and backlash
are usually measured as circumferential values.
Minimum working backlash may not be allowed to
become zero or negative. Because working back- The values given for tooth thickness and backlash
lash is determined by the assembled backlash and are to be selected by the designer to suit the

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

application. It may be convenient to specify and Esni and Esns with appropriate mathematical sign.
measure normal to the tooth trace on the reference
cylinder. Note that:

7.2.1 Upper allowance of size, Esns T sn = T st cos β ...(57)

The upper size allowance is dependent on the
7.2.3 Normal tooth thickness tolerances, Tsn
reference diameter and the allowance. Their choice
is largely independent of the gear tooth accuracy. The normal tooth thickness tolerance choice is
7.2.2 Lower allowance of size, Esni largely independent of the gear tooth accuracy and
should be governed by the manufacturing facilities. If
Lower size allowance is obtained by combining the
maximum backlash has to be controlled for function-
upper size allowance with the tooth thickness
al reasons, calculations such as provided in Annex A
tolerances. Since the upper and lower allowances
will be necessary. It should be noted that small tooth
always reduce tooth thickness, the amount of the
thickness tolerances unfavorably affect manufactur-
tolerance has to be deducted from the upper size
ing cost and the maintaining of gear tooth accuracy,
allowance.
since they unnecessarily limit the correction possibil-
E sni = E sns − T sn ...(56) ities during manufacture.

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Annex A
(informative)
Backlash and tooth thickness tolerance
[The foreword, footnotes and annexes, if any, are provided for informational purposes only and should not be
construed as a part of AGMA ISO 10064--2, Cylindrical Gears -- Code of Inspection Practice -- Part 2: Inspection
Related to Radial Composite Deviations, Runout, Tooth Thickness and Backlash.]

A.1 Purpose flanks of the teeth do not make contact. Backlash in a

given mesh varies during operation as a result of
This Annex provides a rational method to select gear
changes in speed, temperature, load, etc. Adequate
tooth thickness tolerances and minimum backlash. It
backlash should be present during static conditions,
also provides a method to calculate maximum
when it can be measured, to assure sufficient
expected backlash in a gear mesh, using minimum
backlash under load at the most adverse working
backlash, tooth thickness tolerances, center dis-
condition.
tance tolerance and gear tooth accuracy tolerances.
Suggested values for minimum backlash are in- The amount of backlash required depends on the
cluded. size of the gears, their accuracy, mounting and the
A.2 Backlash application.

Backlash, j, in an assembled gear set is the A.3 Maximum tooth thickness

clearance between the teeth of the meshing gears. It
is the amount by which the width of the tooth space Maximum tooth thickness of a gear is determined as
exceeds the tooth thickness of the engaging tooth on if the gear were in mesh with a perfect mating gear at
the pitch circles. Backlash may be measured in the the minimum center distance, allowing for the
normal plane or along the line of action (see figure desired minimum backlash. Tooth thickness devi-
A.1), but it is calculated and specified in the ations reduce the maximum tooth thickness from the
transverse plane or in the plane of action (base maximum value, and increase backlash.
tangent plane).
For x = 0 gears, the theoretical or nominal tooth
An individual gear does not have backlash, it has
thickness is customarily equal to one half the circular
only a tooth thickness. Backlash in a mesh is
pitch on the reference circle. Unless otherwise
governed by the center distance at which a pair of
specified, the actual maximum tooth thickness on an
gears is operated and the effective tooth thickness of
unassembled gear will usually be less than the
each of the gears.
theoretical value, since the manufacturer usually
Some backlash should be present in all gear makes a reduction in tooth thickness to allow for
meshes. It is required to assure that the non--driving backlash.

Figure A.1 -- Feeler gauge backlash measurement (normal plane)

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

A.4 Minimum backlash Table A.1 --Recommended values for minimum

backlash jbn min for coarse pitch gears
Minimum backlash, jbn min, is the minimum backlash
allowable when the gear tooth with the greatest mn in Minimum center distance ai in mm
allowable effective tooth thickness is in mesh with a mm 50 100 200 400 800 1600
mating tooth having its greatest allowable effective 1.5 0.09 0.11 ------ ------ ------ ------
tooth thickness at the tightest allowable center 2 0.10 0.12 0.15 ------ ------ ------
distance, under static conditions. This is the tradi-
3 0.12 0.14 0.17 0.24 ------ ------
tional “backlash allowance” provided by the designer
5 ------ 0.18 0.21 0.28 ------ ------
to provide for:
8 ------ 0.24 0.27 0.34 0.47 ------
a) deflections of housings, shafts and bearings; 12 ------ ------ 0.35 0.42 0.55 ------
18 ------ ------ ------ 0.54 0.67 0.94
b) misalignments of gear axes due to housing
deviations and bearing clearances;

c) skew of gear axes due to housing deviations

and bearing clearances;
If Esns1 and Esns2 are equal so that jbn equals
d) mounting errors such as shaft eccentricity; 2Esns cos αn, cutting depths and root clearance of
pinion and wheel are equal and contact ratio is
e) bearing runouts; maximum.
f) temperature effects (a function of tempera-
ture differences between housing and gear ele- A.5 Specifications for tooth thickness
ments, center distance and material difference); measurement

g) centrifugal growth of rotating elements; The maximum tooth thickness specified for any
h) other factors, such as allowance for contami- inspection method should be reduced to be sure that
nation of lubricant and swelling of non--metallic the effects of runout and other tooth cutting varia-
gear materials. tions on the inspection results do not increase the
maximum effective tooth thickness. The minimum
The value of minimum backlash can be small if the specified tooth thickness should also be reduced, so
factors listed above are controlled. Each factor can that the tooth thickness tolerance selected is avail-
be evaluated by analyzing the tolerances, and then a able for economical gear manufacture, and is not
minimum requirement can be calculated. Judgment used up by the other tolerances implied by the
and experience are required to assess the minimum accuracy grade.
expected requirement, since the worst case toler-
ances are not likely to coincide. A.6 Maximum backlash

Table A.1 shows values of minimum backlash The maximum backlash in a gear set, jbn max , is the
recommended for industrial drives with ferrous sum of tooth thickness tolerance, the effect of center
gears in ferrous housings, working at pitchline distance variation, and the effects of gear tooth
speeds less than 15 m/s, with typical commercial geometry variation. The theoretical maximum back-
manufacturing tolerances for housings, shafts and lash occurs when two perfect gears, made to the
bearings. minimum tooth thickness specification, are meshed
at the loosest allowable center distance. The loosest
The values found in table A.1 may be calculated from
center distance is the maximum for external gears or
equation A.1.
the minimum for internals.

j bn min = 2 0.06 + 0.0005a i + 0.03m n
3 The maximum theoretical backlash will also occur
...(A.1)
when two teeth, made to the minimum effective tooth
NOTE: ai must be an absolute value. thickness, swt min , coincide while operating at the
loosest center distance. Neither occurrence is likely
 
j bn = E sns1 + E sns2 cos α n ...(A.2) in practice.

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AGMA ISO 10064--2 AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Values of swt min are calculated as follows: The maximum expected backlash is a function of
cos α n jbn max and the statistical distribution of the individual
s wt min = s wt − E sni 1 − 2F i′′ tan α wt
cos β cos α wt
b
elements of tooth and center distance variation. Any
...(A.3) tooth deviations due to manufacturing will decrease
j wt max = p wt − s wt min1 − s wt min2 the maximum expected backlash. Experience and
judgment are required to estimate reasonable val-
− a max − a min 2 tan α wt ...(A.4) ues.
where
If maximum backlash must be controlled, a careful
swt is the theoretical transverse tooth thick-
study of each element of maximum backlash must
ness at the working diameter;
be made and an accuracy grade selected which will
pwt is the working circular pitch. limit tooth deviations as necessary.
Values of backlash at the working diameter can be
converted to feeler gauge backlash, jbn, as follows: When maximum backlash of an assembled gear
drive, particularly a gear drive with multiple stages, is
2 π a min
p wt = ...(A.5) used as an acceptance criterion, the maximum
z1 + z 2
acceptable value must be carefully chosen to allow
j bn = j wt cos α wt cos β b ...(A.6) reasonable manufacturing tolerances for each part
in the assembly.
j bn = j wn cos α n ...(A.7)

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AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION AGMA ISO 10064--2

Bibliography

The following documents are either referenced in the text of AGMA ISO 10064--2, Cylindrical Gears -- Code of
Inspection Practice -- Part 2: Inspection Related to Radial Composite Deviations, Runout, Tooth Thickness and
Backlash or indicated for additional information.

ISO 701:1976, International gear notation -- Sym- ISO/TR 10064--4, Cylindrical gears -- Code of
bols for geometrical data inspection practice -- Part 4: Recommendations
ISO 1122--1:1983, Glossary of gear terms -- Part 1: relative to surface roughness and tooth contact
Geometrical definitions pattern checking

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PUBLISHED BY
AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
1500 KING STREET, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22314