CNC Gear Hobbing Steel from VT machining delivers precision 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 Steel, which is strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades.
CNC Gear Hobbing Capability for Steel
- Spur & helical gears
- Module range support
- Pre-grind accuracy
- High productivity
Steel Material Data
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 585 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 450 MPa |
| Hardness | 170 HB |
| Melting point | 1420–1460 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 51.9 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 11.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 9% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 57% |
| Grades we run | 1018, 1045, 1215, A36, S45C, St37, 4140 (see alloy steel) |
Published typical values for 1045. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Rust. Bare steel flash-rusts within hours in a humid container, so parts are oiled or passivated before packing unless you specify otherwise.
How CNC Gear Hobbing Steel Works
Tooth profiles are generated in the Steel blank by a synchronised cutter, then refined to the required accuracy class. Module, pressure angle and helix are programmed from your gear data.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Gear Hobbing 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.
Design Tips for CNC Gear Hobbing Steel
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Providing complete gear data (module, pressure angle, profile shift, quality class) lets us produce Steel gears right the first time. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Working with Steel
Steel is strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
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.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Steel parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
CNC Gear Hobbing Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Applications of CNC Gear Hobbing Steel
Steel parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order CNC Gear Hobbing Steel
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Steel grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Steel
Three representative CNC Gear Hobbing 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.
Spur gear
- Material
- 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.
Bevel gear pair
- Material
- Steel
- Size
- m2, z20/z40, 90° axes
- Key callouts
- DIN 8, mounting distance ±0.03 mm
- Batch
- 200 sets
Contact pattern checked on a rolling tester before release.
Splined shaft
- Material
- 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.
Finishing Options for Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Black oxide | 1–2 µm | Mild corrosion resistance, no dimensional change |
| Zinc plate + clear/yellow | 5–12 µm | ASTM B633, general corrosion protection |
| Nickel plate (electroless) | 10–25 µm | Uniform in bores, 500 HV after bake |
| Phosphate | 5–10 µm | Paint key, mild lubricity |
| Powder coat | 60–120 µm | RAL colours |
| 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 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 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 Steel
Send the drawing, the 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
What material thickness or size range suits CNC Gear Hobbing Steel?
We machine Steel across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.
What is CNC Gear Hobbing Steel and how is it done?
CNC Gear Hobbing Steel refers to gear hobbing generates gear teeth with a rotating hob synchronized to the workpiece. Applied to Steel — strong, economical, widely available carbon/alloy grades — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Which industries use CNC Gear Hobbing Steel parts?
CNC Gear Hobbing Steel parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Steel components are required.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Gear Hobbing on Steel?
Machined Steel edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.