The determination of accuracy of the demonstrator of aeronautic bevel gearbox, accomplished by selected rapid prototyping techniques using an optical scanner Atos II Triple Scan

Designing and manufacturing of aeronautic bevel gearboxes is a complicated and time-consuming process because of complex kinematics of the machining process as well as numbers of manufacturing methods. Machine manufacturers usually provide algorithms used in manufacture process. This requires substantial financial resources and, in consequence, it increases the costs of production. Using other commonly available calculation algorithm requires a lot of studies to verify whether the proposed gearbox works correctly. In order to reduce the manufacturing costs of prototypes, it is possible to use Rapid Prototyping methods. Using both Rapid Prototyping techniques and coordinate optical measurements enables to verify the correctness of assumptions made in the initial stage of product designing. This approach reduces significantly both prototyping time and manufacturing costs. In order to ensure the effectiveness of prototyping process, it is essential to provide the accuracy of manufactured prototypes. That is the reason why it is necessary to determine manufacturing methods that will ensure the highest geometric accuracy. The study presents the modelling and manufacturing process of aeronautic bevel gear of demonstrator taking into consideration the accuracy of selected Rapid Prototyping methods. The gear modelling is based on machining simulation method conducted in Autodesk Inventor. The measurement results are shown in displacement maps obtained with an optical scanner Atos II Triple Scan and universal GOM Inspect Professional software, which determines the prototype accuracy in relation to 3D-CAD models.