CNC Gear Hobbing Brass from VT machining delivers precision Brass 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 Brass, which is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish.
Process Data for CNC Gear Hobbing Brass
| Heat-treat route | None (used as supplied) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy as cut | ISO 1328 class 8-9 (AGMA 9-10) |
| Module range | 0.3-6 |
| Hobbing speed (HSS-E / carbide) | 80 / 255 m/min |
| Hob | HSS-E (PM) coated hob; carbide for dry hobbing |
| Gear types | External spur and helical, splines, worm wheels |
Shown for C360 Brass, the most common Brass grade we see for CNC Gear Hobbing. Typical values for C360 Brass, Half-hard; confirmed on the first part.
CNC Gear Hobbing Capability for Brass
- Spur & helical gears
- Module range support
- Pre-grind accuracy
- High productivity
Brass Material Data
| Density | 8.50 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 340–470 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 125–310 MPa |
| Hardness | 78–130 HB |
| Melting point | 885–900 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 115 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 26% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 100% (the benchmark) |
| Grades we run | C36000 free-cutting, C37700 forging, C26000 cartridge, C46400 naval |
Published typical values for C36000. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Nothing much — this is the easiest metal in the shop. Worth asking about if a copper or bronze part is cost-driven rather than conductivity-driven.
How CNC Gear Hobbing Brass Works
Tooth profiles are generated in the Brass blank by a synchronised cutter, then refined to the required accuracy class. Module, pressure angle and helix are programmed from your gear data.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Gear Hobbing Brass
| 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.
Working with Brass
Brass offers a useful combination of properties: it is free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish. Those characteristics shape how we approach gear manufacturing — from tool and parameter selection to work-holding and coolant.
If your application is sensitive to alloy condition, we agree the specification in writing and document it. Stock is sourced from reputable suppliers so what you order is what you receive.
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.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Design Tips for CNC Gear Hobbing Brass
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Providing complete gear data (module, pressure angle, profile shift, quality class) lets us produce Brass 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 Brass
CNC Gear Hobbing of Brass supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
Typical Brass Parts for CNC Gear Hobbing
Illustrative examples of CNC Gear Hobbing Brass parts and the callouts that usually drive the process plan. They show the kind of work that fits this process; they are not specific customer orders.
Splined shaft
- Material
- Brass
- 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
- Brass
- 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
- Brass
- 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 Brass
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel plate | 5–15 µm | Hard, bright, corrosion resistant |
| Chrome plate | 0.3–1 µm | Decorative, over nickel |
| Clear lacquer | 10–20 µm | Stops the natural tarnish |
| Tin plate | 3–15 µm | Solderable contacts |
| 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 Brass
- 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 Brass 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 Brass
Send the drawing, the Brass grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Gear Hobbing Brass?
CNC Gear Hobbing prototypes for Brass can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.
What gear accuracy class can you achieve on Brass?
Gear accuracy is specified to DIN/AGMA classes appropriate to the application. Profile and lead are controlled so Brass gears run accurately and quietly under load.
Does CNC Gear Hobbing Brass require dedicated tooling?
Most Brass gear cutting work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Gear Hobbing Brass?
We machine Brass across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
What surface finish is achievable on Brass with CNC Gear Hobbing?
Surface finish on Brass is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
What is CNC Gear Hobbing Brass and how is it done?
CNC Gear Hobbing Brass refers to gear hobbing generates gear teeth with a rotating hob synchronized to the workpiece. Applied to Brass — free-machining, good conductivity, attractive finish — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.