Straight-tooth gearing for gears and shaft-hub connections
We manufacture straight-toothed gears, shafts, and hubs according to drawings and technical specifications. Depending on the component, the gear teeth are used either to transmit motion between two shafts or to provide a positive-lock connection between a shaft and a hub.
Straight-toothed gears are primarily used in spur gear sets. In contrast, splined shaft profiles and involute gear teeth according to DIN 5480, DIN 5482, or ANSI B92.1 are used to transmit torque between a shaft and a component mounted onto it.
Both applications use straight teeth but serve different design functions. For this reason, we do not consider gear tooth profiles and shaft-hub profiles to be interchangeable designs, but rather tailor production to the specific application.
Straight-toothed gears for technical and design requirements
For spur gears, the following questions, among others, are relevant:
Have straight-toothed gears manufactured according to a drawing
The following specifications are typically required for straight-toothed gears:
Module & Number of Teeth
Engagement Angle, Profile Offset, and Tooth Width
Base circle and top circle diameters
Profile Offset and Tooth Width
Standard Designation & Type of Gear Tooth Profile
Nominal Diameter, Module, and Number of Teeth
Angle of Engagement & Gear Geometry
Advantages of Spur Gears
High mechanical efficiency
The teeth mesh across the entire tooth width without any helical tooth profile. As a result, none of the axial forces typical of helical gears are generated.
Simple Bearing Arrangement
Since pure straight-tooth gearing generates no additional axial forces from tooth engagement, the bearing arrangement can be designed more simply in many applications.
Consistent Transmission Ratio
A pair of straight-toothed gears transmits rotational motion at a constant ratio. This is suitable for machines that require a fixed speed ratio.
Cost-Effective Manufacturing
Straight-toothed gears can be manufactured using established production methods. Especially with standard modules and clearly defined geometries, the machining process is easy to plan.
Easy Access During Assembly
Straight-toothed gears can be integrated into gear stages and tested with relative ease.
Wide Range of Applications
Straight-toothed gears are used in machine tools, conveyor systems, pumps, packaging machines, and numerous other gear assemblies.
At high speeds, however, the abrupt tooth engagement can cause more noise than with helical gears. Suitability must therefore always be considered in conjunction with speed, load, gear quality, and housing design.
Advantages of Spline Profiles and DIN 5480 Gears
Spline profiles are not used for gear reduction between two shafts. They connect a shaft to a hub via a positive-lock engagement and transmit torque through multiple teeth that bear the load simultaneously.
- High torque transmission
- Detachable connection
- More Even Load Distribution
- Axial movability
- Good centering
- Compact Connection
Rotogravure cylinder
High torque transmission
Flexosleeves
Detachable connection
Ballard Skins
More Even Load Distribution
With proper design, the load is distributed across several teeth. This reduces the localized stress on individual fasteners.
Embossing cylinder
Axial movability
Engraving
Good centering
Involute gears in accordance with DIN 5480 typically use flank alignment. This allows for precise control of concentricity and load distribution within the connection.
Engraving
Compact Connection
A spline connection combines torque transmission and alignment in a compact space.
The Difference Between Straight-Tooth Gears and Splined Shafts
A straight-toothed gear transmits motion and power between two parallel shafts. The gears mesh externally or as an internal-external pair. The number of teeth determines the gear ratio.
A spline, on the other hand, connects a shaft to a hub. Both components lie on the same axis. The spline does not create a gear ratio but transmits torque via a positive connection between the connected components.
The difference can be summarized as follows:
Straight-toothed gears for spur gearboxes
Typical applications include:
For slow- to medium-speed gearboxes, clearly defined gear ratios, and easily accessible designs, straight gearing remains a commonly used solution.
Splined shafts as a detachable shaft-hub connection
Typical applications include:
This is relevant, for example, in shift elements or clutch systems. The tooth flanks must be designed to accommodate both load transmission and the necessary mobility.
Straight-tooth gear teeth according to DIN 5482
Today, DIN 5482 is primarily relevant in the following cases:
For replacement parts, therefore, it is crucial to clearly identify the original gear teeth. An involute gear tooth profile that merely looks similar does not guarantee a functional mating.
Straight-tooth gear teeth according to ANSI B92.1
Key features include:
This is relevant, for example, in shift elements or clutch systems. The tooth flanks must be designed to accommodate both load transmission and the necessary mobility.
Straight-tooth gears with appropriate manufacturing processes
The choice of a suitable manufacturing process for straight-toothed gears depends on the type of gearing, component geometry, material, batch size, and required design.
Possible methods include, among others:
With external gear teeth, tool access is usually easier than with internal profiles. Shoulders, flange surfaces, and blind hole geometries can restrict the machining space.
For internal gear cutting, tool clearance and chip removal must also be taken into account. For hardened components, it must be determined whether the gear cutting is to be completed before or after heat treatment.
Production planning should therefore not begin only after all other component characteristics have already been finalized and cannot be changed. Taking the gear teeth into account early on can prevent unnecessarily complex toolpaths and additional machining steps.
Straight-toothed gears from Dittler GmbH
Our range of services includes, among other things:
Our quality management system is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001. For inspections, we use standardized measurement procedures as well as a physically separate measurement room equipped with 3-coordinate measuring technology.
Many of the inquiries we receive do not involve catalog parts. Often, a gear must fit an existing shaft, an existing hub, or an older gearbox. Our manufacturing is specifically geared toward such individual parts and small production runs.
Straight-tooth gears for gear wheels, shafts, and hubs
Splined shafts serve a different purpose. They form a detachable, positive-lock shaft-hub connection and distribute torque across multiple tooth flanks.
DIN 5480 is frequently used for modern metric designs. DIN 5482 remains relevant for older machines and compatible replacement parts. ANSI B92.1 is primarily required for North American equipment and inch-based gear teeth.
We manufacture these gear teeth to drawing specifications as single pieces and in small batches. It is essential to provide a clear reference to the standard, complete gear tooth data, and coordination with the corresponding mating component.
Request Straight-Tooth Gears Now
Send us your drawing and the available technical specifications via the contact form. The following information is particularly helpful: module or diametral pitch, number of teeth, standard, tolerance class, tooth length, material, heat treatment, and quantity.
For replacement parts, please also provide details about the existing mating gear and the machine. This allows us to verify whether the requested design is compatible with the existing component and determine the appropriate manufacturing method.
Questions About Straight-Tooth Gears
What is a straight-tooth gear?
In straight-toothed gears, the teeth run parallel to the axis of rotation. In gears, this design is used to transmit motion and torque between parallel shafts. In splined shafts and splined hubs, the teeth also run axially but connect two components on the same axis.
What are the advantages of spur gears?
Straight-toothed gears offer high mechanical efficiency and do not generate any axial forces due to the tooth profile. They can be manufactured using proven production methods and are suitable for fixed gear ratios. At high speeds, however, they can be noisier than helical gears.
What is the difference between a spur gear and a splined shaft?
A spur gear transmits motion between two separate shafts. A splined shaft connects a shaft to a hub on the same axis. It does not change the rotational speed but transmits torque to the attached component through a positive connection.
When is DIN 5480 used?
DIN 5480 is used for metric involute gears in shaft-hub connections. The standard is widely used in the European machinery and automotive industries and is frequently applied in new designs. Typical applications include gearboxes, electric motors, servo drives, and industrial equipment.
When is DIN 5482 still relevant?
DIN 5482 is primarily required for existing machinery and in spare parts manufacturing. If a new shaft or hub is to be used in conjunction with an existing mating component, the original standard must be maintained. A transition to DIN 5480 is usually not possible without modifying the entire connection.
How does ANSI B92.1 differ from DIN 5480?
ANSI B92.1 uses an inch-based measurement system with diametrical pitch and its own tolerance grades. DIN 5480 is based on the metric system. Both standards describe involute gear teeth for shaft-hub connections; however, due to their different dimensions and tolerances, they are not directly interchangeable.
What does "flank centering" mean in DIN 5480?
In flank-centered alignment, the position between the shaft and the hub is determined by the tooth flanks. This allows torque, alignment, and concentricity to be controlled through the same connection. To achieve this, the external and internal gear teeth must be manufactured with tolerance ranges that match each other.
Can splined shafts be designed to be axially movable?
Yes. Depending on the fit, clearance, and application, a hub can be axially displaced along a toothed shaft while simultaneously transmitting torque. Such designs are used, for example, in manual transmissions, clutches, and adjustable drive elements.
What information is required for straight-tooth gears?
For gears, the required specifications include, among others, module, number of teeth, angle of engagement, profile offset, tooth width, material, and heat treatment. For splined shafts, the standard, tolerance class, centering method, and fit must also be specified. For ANSI B92.1, the diametral pitch must also be clearly specified.
Can straight-toothed gears be manufactured to a specific design?
An existing sample can provide important information for a spare parts project. However, to ensure a reliable reproduction, the gear tooth data, material, and mounting dimensions must be determined as precisely as possible. In addition, the mating gear or the associated assembly should be taken into account.
Why aren't DIN 5480 and ANSI B92.1 interchangeable?
Both standards are based on different systems of measurement, profile series, and tolerance specifications. Therefore, a similar number of teeth or a comparable diameter is not sufficient. The shaft and hub must be manufactured according to the same standard system and with fits that match each other.
Which manufacturing processes are suitable for straight-tooth gears?
Depending on the component, hobbing, gear shaping, form milling, broaching, and grinding may be considered. The choice depends on whether internal or external gear teeth are required, the component’s design, and the quantity to be produced. The material and heat treatment also influence the machining process.