What is a machine tool?
A machine tool is a general term for machinery that utilizes externally supplied energy, such as electricity, to perform cutting, drilling, grinding, and metal forming (pressing, rolling, forging, etc.) on materials, primarily metals, to finish them into specified shapes and dimensions. It is referred to as the “Mother Machine” because it “produces the parts and machines themselves.” Representative examples include lathes, drilling machines, boring machines, milling machines, grinding machines, machining centers, turning centers, multi-tasking machines, electrical discharge machines (EDM), and gear cutting machines. These machine tools are broadly categorized into manually operated general-purpose machine tools and NC machine tools that perform automated machining based on programs. Today, NC machine tools (NC = Numerical Control), capable of high-precision and high-efficiency machining, are the mainstream. Note that the definition and classification of machine tools may vary by country.
Gears for Machine Tools
Gears are representative mechanical elements used for power transmission. Within machine tools, they perform diverse functions including speed change, direction conversion, angular conversion, torque amplification, and even converting rotational motion to linear motion. This makes gears an indispensable element supporting the precision and reliability of machine tools. The types of gears used are also diverse, including spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, rack and pinion, and worm gears, selected appropriately for each application. Furthermore, depending on requirements, high precision is achieved through grinding, and strength and wear resistance are enhanced through heat treatment. The module, the unit of tooth size, is determined based on the required strength, while the number of teeth is a critical design element that defines the reduction ratio. To meet these demands, KHK Gears offers an extensive range of standard gears while also flexibly accommodating special specifications and custom designs. The company's gears achieve stable performance through machining techniques based on years of experience and a rigorous quality control system, making them a reliable choice for designers seeking both precision and durability.