Lathe and Laser Team Up to Make Cutting Gear Teeth Easier
1 min read
Summary
A Hirth coupling is a type of gear assembly that employs two flat surfaces, each with a set of teeth cut into it, to create a joint that can be fixed in various radial positions on camera gear such as tripods and tilt heads.
This YouTube video shows the production of a Hirth coupling using a combination of traditional machining and desktop manufacturing methods.
The cylindrical shape of the coupling is produced using a lathe, while the teeth are cut using a 100W fiber laser cutter, saving time and achieving an acceptable result for the purpose required.
However, the article does point out that the resulting teeth are not suitable for power transmission due to their rough surface finish and rounded tooth gullet.
Hirth couplings are a neat invention and can be seen in many everyday objects, from bicycle cranks to lamp posts and accurate spinning fixtures.
It is important to note that the coupling shown in the video is not properly made, as it lacks the pie-chart shape of a genuine Hirth coupling.
