Gear Pro, what do I need?

[[Ri...]]

We are stepping into Splines and Gears, so I am asking our expert users and Zeiss employees, what do I need software and hardware wise for Calypso (v2022).

I am going to guess at these:
Gear Pro
PCM
Curve
FreeForm
Rotary table

Any help is appreciated.

[[Ky...]]

Hello Rick,

So, let's start with the software. The good news is that, even though it is a separate software, it is licensed and downloaded just like Calypso (you can find it here:https://portal.zeiss.com/download-cente ... tware/9534). The licensing, as I mentioned, works exactly like Calypso. Just make sure you have the licenses you need (there are 5 major parts of Gear Pro, each with it's own license and some with "advanced" licenses, so I would make sure you know what you need to measure and what licenses you need for it). The file structure is going to be a little different than Calypso, at least in Gear Pro 2022 (assuming you are starting there). It stores everything in the program files(x86)/Zeiss/GearNT folder (the big one, at least to start with, is the "Gear Cat" folder, that's where all your programs will be). This is updated at least a bit in 2024.

You actually can't use PCM in Gear Pro (it's been asked several times in MyVoice, but the developers say it isn't possible), but it might be useful for setting some stuff up in Calypso before you run the Gear Pro program. Freeform I have not seen much a need for with Gear Pro specifically (there might be needs for it outside of it), and Curve I've only really needed for very niche situations where I needed to use it to save out a file to define the gear geometry, usually with rotors but occasionally with spur gears with some non-standard geometry.

Some forms of Gear Pro do need a rotary table, namely worm, rotor and hob, but the more common versions (involute and bevel) don't specifically need them. I have ran those types of gears both ways, but without a rotary table, you may need a complicated stylus system. I would greatly recommend a rotary table, it makes life much easier, but a stylus system with an adapter like this can do the trick if absolutely necessary: https://shop.metrology.zeiss.com/INTERS ... ation=true.

Mostly the trick with Gear Pro is getting the geometry you need. Involutes, which includes most splines are usually pretty easy and have the information on the print (you just need to know what you are reading. That can be the hard part sometimes). I never trust models of involute/spur gears. Some might be true to the part, but I think a lot of them are just "close enough" because the flank geometry is defined by the information on the table.

I did a webinar last year on Gear Pro and it is... some where online. I can't seem to find it right now, but it did give a good overview of Gear Pro involute. If I can find it, I'll post it here.

I hope this helps.

[[Ri...]]

Is it ok to message you a couple images of a product, Spline data, which is most of what we may be doing.
Maybe you can recommend what licenses I would require?

[[Ky...]]

Yeah, absolutely. I'd make sure that the images include anything about the shape of the teeth you can find on the print. There are several cases where the gear geometry box on the print looks perfectly involute, but something else on the print indicates its either straight or some other arbitrary shape.

Incidentally, I do have the video now, but it's too big for the forum. I think it's a good primer for starting with Gear Pro, even if I do say so myself. You will likely still want to look into getting Gear Pro training though. Send your email with the message and I'll upload it to onedrive or something and let you have access.

[[Ow...]]

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Yeah I don't either, especially in the automotive field where they use so many involute tooth modifications, crowns, k-charts,etc.

Rick,
Gear-pro involute should cover splines well.
Gear-pro makes checking gears and splines so so much easier than what you have to do to make Calypso check one, it is well worth the money in time saved alone.

I don't use it much but, I am not a fan of gear-pro Bevel, not near worth what they charge for it.

[[Ro...]]

One additional idea, watch out => zeiss.com/gear => Download information => Gear Metrology Specifications.
There you´ll find also an overview which gear-type requires which GEAR PRO software license.