Custom Steel Gears: 100 Sets Assembled Without Rework

A Chinese equipment manufacturer needed custom steel gears made to its drawings, with reliable assembly performance and a defined shipment schedule. Ten Precision completed production and shipped within the agreed 15 working days. The first 100 sets were assembled without rework.

Project specifications

The gears were manufactured from Chinese grade 45 steel with white zinc electroplating. The parts were made to the customer’s existing drawings using CNC machining, with no design changes.

Drawing review and verification

During drawing review, we identified heat-treatment distortion and runout associated with the blanks and workholding as risks to assembly and gear meshing.

Before production, we clarified the material, functional datums, appearance surfaces, critical dimensions, quantity and inspection method with the customer. These requirements established the basis for manufacturing and acceptance.

Tooth profile and pitch were checked using a gear measuring instrument. First-article inspection, trial assembly and functional testing were completed before batch production proceeded.

Assembly and shipment results

The first 100 gear sets were assembled without rework. Production was completed and the parts were shipped within the agreed 15 working days.

The assembly result applies to the first 100 sets; the shipment milestone refers to dispatch, rather than arrival at the customer’s site.

What to specify when sourcing custom gears

To help a supplier assess your requirements, provide the drawings and specify:

• Mating interfaces, functional datums and critical dimensions.
• Material, heat-treatment and surface-finishing requirements, including whether dimensions are accepted before or after plating.
• First-article approval criteria, including any trial assembly or functional tests.
• Quantity, destination, and whether the required date refers to shipment or arrival.

Agreeing on these details before production helps both teams define what must be checked before a batch is released. For submission guidance, read How to Get a Manufacturing Quote.