Aspects of accuracy and precision in the additive manufacturing of plastic gears

The geometric complexity of mechanical components of mechatronic systems is a challenge to the application of additive manufacturing (AM). The focus of this study is to evaluate the potential of AM processes for the fabrication of different types of multistage spur gears, bevel gears, worm gears, Harmonic Drive gears, cycloid drives and pumps. The accuracy and precision of different AM technologies is compared. Strategies for AM quality control are proposed. Material behaviour is investigated on a gear test rig. The opportunities and limitations of processes using plastics for the fabrication of gears are discussed in this paper.