 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2010) |
Gear cutting is any machining process for creating a gear. The most common gear-cutting processes include hobbing, broaching, milling, grinding, and skiving. Such cutting operations may occur either after or instead of forming processes such as forging, extruding, investment casting, or sand casting.
Gears are commonly made from metal, plastic, and wood. Although gear cutting is a substantial industry, many metal and plastic gears are made without cutting, by processes such as die casting or injection molding. Some metal gears made with powder metallurgy require subsequent machining, whereas others are complete after sintering. Likewise, metal or plastic gears made with additive manufacturing may or may not require finishing by cutting, depending on application.