V. Rudnev, Inductoheat Inc., Madison Heights, MI

Summary: In recent years, gear manufacturers have increased their knowledge in technology for producing quality gears. This knowledge has led to many improvements, which include lower noise, lighter weight and lower cost as well as increased load carrying capacity to handle higher speeds and torque with a minimum amount of generated heat. Not all gears and pinions are well suited for induction hardening. External spur and helical gears, worm gears and internal gears, racks and sprockets are among the parts, which typically are induction hardened. This presentation concentrates on some subtle aspects of successful induction hardening of gears and critical powertrain components.