3D Printing Solution for Gear Tooth Inspection

This case study outlines the implementation of a 3D printing solution at Eaton Corporation's Pune facility to enhance the quality control process for gear manufacturing. The facility, which operates globally, faced challenges in performing the Customer Acceptance Review Evaluation (CARE) inspection due to the high costs and time associated with machining tooling for different-sized gear teeth. To address this, the team developed a custom gear tooth template that was 3D printed using the Stratasys F170 printer, in collaboration with DesignTech Systems. The printed templates, made from durable ABS material, are utilized to ensure that gear teeth meet precise specifications during inspections. This innovation resulted in a cost savings of $47.20 per component and a lead time reduction of 30 days, significantly improving operational efficiency. The capability of the F170 printer also allowed for rapid prototyping, enabling the R&D team to identify design issues early, thereby enhancing product quality and safety.