CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel from VT machining delivers precision Alloy Steel parts produced to your exact drawing. Gear hobbing generates gear teeth with a rotating hob synchronized to the workpiece, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Alloy Steel, which is high strength and hardenability for demanding parts.
CNC Gear Hobbing Capability for Alloy Steel
- Spur & helical gears
- Module range support
- Pre-grind accuracy
- High productivity
Alloy Steel Material Data
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 655–1020 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 415–900 MPa |
| Hardness | 197–302 HB |
| Melting point | 1416 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 42.6 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 12.3 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 8% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 65% (annealed) |
| Grades we run | 4140, 4340, 8620, 20CrMnTi, 42CrMo4, 20MnCr5 |
Published typical values for 4140 (Q&T). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Heat treatment moves the part. Anything held tighter than ±0.02 mm is machined soft, hardened, then ground or hard-turned to final size.
How CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel Works
Tooth profiles are generated in the Alloy Steel blank by a synchronised cutter, then refined to the required accuracy class. Module, pressure angle and helix are programmed from your gear data.
Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy class | DIN 8 / AGMA 10 | DIN 6 / AGMA 12 |
| Profile deviation | 0.020 mm | 0.008 mm |
| Lead deviation | 0.020 mm | 0.008 mm |
| Pitch deviation (cumulative) | 0.040 mm | 0.015 mm |
| Runout | 0.030 mm | 0.010 mm |
| Tooth surface finish | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 0.4 µm (ground) |
| Module range | m0.5–m8 | m1–m6 |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
CNC Gear Hobbing Tolerances & Surface Finish
Gear features are produced to a specified DIN/AGMA accuracy class, with profile and lead controlled for quiet, durable running under load.
Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.
CNC Gear Hobbing Quality & Inspection
We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Alloy Steel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Finished Alloy Steel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.
Working with Alloy Steel
As a material, Alloy Steel is high strength and hardenability for demanding parts. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.
We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.
Design Tips for CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel
We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Providing complete gear data (module, pressure angle, profile shift, quality class) lets us produce Alloy Steel gears right the first time. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Applications of CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel
Customers order CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.
How to Order CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel
Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.
Parts We Have Run in Alloy Steel
Three representative CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Splined shaft
- Material
- Alloy Steel
- Size
- DIN 5480, 26 × 1.5
- Key callouts
- Fit class H7/g6, runout 0.02 mm
- Batch
- 800 pcs
Spline hobbed with the journals ground afterwards on the same centres.
Helical pinion
- Material
- Alloy Steel
- Size
- m1.5, z18, 15° helix
- Key callouts
- DIN 6, lead deviation 0.008 mm
- Batch
- 300 pcs
Ground after case hardening to 58 HRC at 0.6 mm case depth.
Spur gear
- Material
- Alloy Steel
- Size
- m2, z40, 20° PA, face 20 mm
- Key callouts
- DIN 7, runout 0.02 mm
- Batch
- 500 pcs
Hobbed, hardened, then hard-finished; skipping the finish pass costs a full accuracy class.
Finishing Options for Alloy Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Through hardening | — | 30–55 HRC, ground afterwards for tight sizes |
| Case hardening (carburise) | 0.3–1.2 mm case | 58–62 HRC surface, tough core |
| Nitride | 0.1–0.5 mm | 900–1100 HV, minimal distortion |
| Black oxide | 1–2 µm | Cosmetic + light corrosion protection |
| Zinc / nickel plate | 5–25 µm | Corrosion protection |
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Alloy Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for CNC Gear Hobbing
Other Processes for Alloy Steel
Send the drawing, the Alloy Steel grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Gear Hobbing on Alloy Steel?
Machined Alloy Steel edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.
What is CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel and how is it done?
CNC Gear Hobbing Alloy Steel refers to gear hobbing generates gear teeth with a rotating hob synchronized to the workpiece. Applied to Alloy Steel — high strength and hardenability for demanding parts — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
What gear accuracy class can you achieve on Alloy Steel?
Gear accuracy is specified to DIN/AGMA classes appropriate to the application. Profile and lead are controlled so Alloy Steel gears run accurately and quietly under load.
What surface finish is achievable on Alloy Steel with CNC Gear Hobbing?
Surface finish on Alloy Steel is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
Can VT machining make custom Alloy Steel parts to my drawing?
Yes. Alloy Steel Alloy Steel gear cutting is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.