BIZOMAT MAKEOS · Manufacturing
Dividing-Head Angle for Milling Clutch Teeth
At what angle must the dividing head be set to mill these saw-tooth or V-shaped clutch teeth?
Dividing-head (blank inclination) angle for milling saw-tooth clutch teeth with a single-angle cutter or V-shaped teeth with a double-angle cutter so that the tooth tops and bottoms converge to the centre, and the indexing for straight-tooth clutches.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth form | choice | Tooth form and cutter type. |
| Number of teeth | Number of clutch teeth. | |
| Cutter angle (single) or included angle (double) | ° | Angle of the single-angle cutter, or the included angle of the double-angle cutter. |
What each input means
Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.
What this means: Tooth form
- What it is
- The shape of the clutch teeth and the cutter used: saw-tooth teeth cut with a single-angle cutter, V-shaped teeth cut with a double-angle cutter, or straight-sided teeth.
- Units and format
- Choose one of 3 options from the list: Saw-tooth (single-angle cutter); V-shaped (double-angle cutter); Straight-sided teeth.
- Example
- The form opens with “Saw-tooth (single-angle cutter)” selected as a worked example. Choose the option that matches your case.
- Get it right
- Straight-sided teeth are milled with the head vertical, so the cutter angle is not used.
What this means: Number of teeth
- What it is
- The number of teeth round the face of the clutch member, which sets the angle the work is indexed between cuts.
- Units and format
- Enter a plain number with no unit. The form accepts 3 to 200. Use a whole number. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 5 as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Get it right
- Saw-tooth clutches need at least five teeth for this method; for straight-sided teeth an odd count lets one pass finish two tooth sides.
What this means: Cutter angle (single) or included angle (double)
- What it is
- For saw-tooth teeth, the angle of the single-angle cutter; for V-shaped teeth, the included angle of the double-angle cutter. It sets the dividing-head tilt.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in °: degrees of angle. The form accepts 20° to 120°. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 60° as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Get it right
- Use the included angle of a double-angle cutter, not each side’s angle. Ignored for straight-sided teeth.
Method and formulas
- Single-angle cutter: cos α = tan(360° ÷ N) × cot θ ÷ 2.
- Double-angle cutter: cos α = tan(180° ÷ N) × cot(θ ÷ 2) ÷ 2.
- α is read on the dividing-head graduations; straight-sided teeth are milled with the head vertical, the cutter side on the centre line, and an odd number of teeth lets one pass finish two tooth sides.
- Example: 5 saw teeth with a 60° cutter need the head at 27° 19.2′.
Limitations
- Valid only when the formula gives a real angle; small tooth counts with steep cutters are impossible.
- Check the narrow end of the tooth space against the cutter width.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Set up a dividing head to mill a jaw or dog clutch
- Check the head angle for a replacement clutch part
- Choose cutter angle and tooth count together
Who it is for
- Machinists
- Toolmakers
- Maintenance fitters
What you get
- Dividing-head angle
- Angle between teeth
- Setting notes
Interpreting the result
- Converging tops and bottoms let the mating clutch engage across the whole tooth width.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 2452–2454. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
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Open the Dividing-Head Angle for Milling Clutch Teeth calculator