Introduction

Helical gears offer a refinement over spur gears. The leading edges
of the teeth are not parallel to the axis of rotation, but are set at
an angle.
Since the gear is curved, this angling causes the tooth shape to be
a segment of a helix. The angled teeth engage more gradually
than do spur gear teeth. This causes helical gears to run more
smoothly and quietly than spur gears.
A pair of helical gears can be meshed in two ways: with shafts
oriented at either the sum or the difference of the helix angles of
the gears.
There are two types of helical gears: Herringbone / double
crossed helical gears and Crossed Helical Gears .
Helix Angle ..
The helix angle of helical gears is generally selected from the range
6,8,10,12,15,20 degrees. The larger the angle the smoother the motion and the
higher speed possible however the thrust loadings on the supporting bearings
also increases. In case of a double or herringbone gear values 25,30,35,40
degrees can also be used. These large angles can be used because the side
thrusts on the two sets of teeth cancel each other allowing larger angles with
no penalty .
Pitch /module ..
* For helical gears the circular pitch is measured in two ways
* The traverse circular pitch (p) is the same as for spur gears and is
measured along the pitch circle
* The normal circular pitch p n is measured normal to the helix of the gear.
* The diametric pitch is the same as for spur gears ... P = z g /dg = z p /d
p ....d= pitch circle dia (inches).
* The module is the same as for spur gears ... m = dg/z g = d p/z p.... d =
pitch circle dia (mm).

Helical Gear geometrical proportions
p = Circular pitch = d g. p / z g = d p. p / z p
p n = Normal circular pitch = p .cos
P n =Normal diametrical pitch = P /cos
p x = Axial pitch = p c /tan
m n =Normal module = m / cos
n = Normal pressure angle = tan -1 ( tan.cos )
=Helix angle

d g = Pitch diameter gear = z g. m
d p = Pitch diameter pinion = z p. m
a =Center distance = ( z p + z g )* m n /2 cos
Ha = Addendum = m
Hf =Dedendum = 1.25*m
b = Face width of narrowest gear
Strength and Durability calculations for Helical Gear Teeth
Bending
The Lewis formula for spur gears can be applied to helical gears with minor
adjustments to provide an initial conservative estimate of gear strength in
bending. This equation should only be used for first estimates.
= Fb / (K v. ba. m. Y )
Fb = Normal force on tooth = Tangential Force Ft / cos
= Tooth Bending stress (MPa)
ba = Face width (mm)
Y = Lewis Form Factor
m = Module (mm) .
K v = 6.1 / (6.1 + V )
Surface Strength
The allowable gear force from surface durability considerations is
determined approximately using the simple equation as follows
Fw = Kv dp ba Q K / (cos)^2


Q = 2. dg /( dp + dp ) = 2.zg /( zp +zp )
Fw = The allowable gear load. (MPa)
K = Gear Wear Load Factor (MPa
Steel
Stainless Steel
Cast aluminum
Bronze
Nylon