The PTI Difference

At first glance, two ‘similar’ gears, splines or threaded components placed side-by-side can look the same. On closer inspection though, when you’re comparing precision ground components with their finish cut counterparts there can be many differences, some visible and immediately spotted to a trained eye, others less so. Whilst geometries may be the same those differences can result in significant benefits with precision ground components lasting longer, running quieter, faster and more efficiently as well as with less vibration enabling them to be used in mission-critical applications where failure is not an option.

Even when specifying an international standard which the components are to be produced to such as a DIN, ISO or BS standard, the manufacturing method used to produce a part will determine when the component meets that criteria. Any deviations that can occur after that point in the manufacturing process can risk affecting the component’s performance in application.

When considering a gear/spline or thread supplier for your project the following guide can help you choose the best option for your project:

Precision Ground vs Finish-Cut Components
Precision Ground	Finish-Cut (Hobbed / Shaped / Milled)
Functional tooth geometry is achieved after heat treatment, allowing any heat-treat distortion to be corrected in the finished condition	Tooth geometry is commonly produced prior to heat treatment, with final accuracy dependent on distortion prediction and process control
Final DIN / ISO accuracy class is verified on the as-supplied component, reflecting the true finished geometry	Final accuracy is derived from pre-heat-treat geometry and controlled distortion, and is not always fully verified after heat treatment in the finished condition
Grinding enables controlled correction of profile, lead and pitch in the final condition	Tooth geometry is established through the cutting process and associated process controls, with final geometry largely defined prior to heat treatment
Supports the application of controlled tooth modifications where specified for performance, noise, or load distribution	Tooth modifications may be limited by the cutting process and tooling strategy
Produces a consistent and refined surface condition on functional flanks, which can be beneficial in noise-sensitive, high performance or critical applications	Surface condition reflects the cutting process and tooling, which is acceptable for many applications but less readily refined
In-process inspection is carried out at defined stages, with final verification available via PTI’s inspection facility (ISO/IEC 17025 where specified)	Inspection approach varies by route and may rely on in-process inspection rather than full verification in the finished condition
Multi-stage, specialist process with increased control and verification, generally associated with higher manufacturing cost and longer lead times	Fewer manufacturing stages with lower levels of process control, typically resulting in shorter lead times and lower unit cost for suitable applications
Selected where performance, reliability, and a high level of confidence in the supplied component meeting the drawing requirements are critical to the application	Selected where the required accuracy and performance can be achieved using more conventional manufacturing routes, with greater reliance on process capability and prediction, and less certainty in the final as-supplied geometry

Quality

At Precision Technologies International (PTI) we specialise in producing precision ground components, rigorously inspected to ensure they meet the required standards at the end of the manufacturing process, effectively producing ‘perfect parts’. To ensure this our production workflows involve multiple inspection stages throughout a component’s manufacturing journey. This gives our customers peace of mind and confidence the components they have will deliver the performance retention, endurance and reliability required even in the most challenging applications.

Contact us now to see what we can do for you and your latest project