Patent ID: 7020972

Claim:
Process for fine machining in a series production a plurality of workpieces with pre-cut teeth on a work spindle of a gear finishing machine, said machining process comprising the steps of: setting up the gear finishing machine by performing a first teach-in cycle with a manually pre-aligned or already ground set-up workpiece in order to determine a first desired value for the tooth space centre line of the set-up workpiece; storing said first desired value; performing a series of successive machining cycles for finishing a series of workpieces, whereby prior to each of said machining cycles the respective workpiece is clamped in the machine for machining and the angular position of its tooth flanks is measured, and the workpiece to be machined is aligned with reference to said first desired value; monitoring during said series of successive machining cycles at least one parameter of said machining process; stopping said machining process between two successive machining cycles, when said at least one monitored parameter fulfils a predetermined criterion; automatically performing a new teach-in cycle, wherein said workpiece of the last machining cycle remains clamped after said last machining cycle and is used as new set-up workpiece; determining a second desired value for the tooth space centre line of the new set-up workpiece; storing said second desired value as the new desired value for the next series of machining cycles; and repeating the steps of performing a series of successive machining cycles, monitoring said at least one parameter, stopping said machining process, automatically performing a new teach-in cycle, determining a next desired value, and storing said next desired value.