90 Degree speed reducer assembly process and measuring machine

摘要

The speed reducer assembly includes a housing (3) having a front wall or side (5) defining a bearing shoulder (37) having an inner surface, a back wall or side (7) defining an opening (41) and having an outer face (47); a bracket (61) having an inner surface (69) which rests against the back wall face to close the back wall opening (41) and defining a second bearing shoulder (65) having an inner surface, a worm (21) and a worm gear (53) held in meshing contact in the housing (3), and front and back shims (73, 74) which align the center of curvature of the worm gear (53) with the axis of the worm (21). The method of aligning the worm (21) and worm gear (53) includes the steps of predetermining the width of the shims (73, 74) and then assembling the speed reducer assembly. To predetermine the width of the shims (73, 74), the distance from the center of curvature of the worm gear (53) to an axially outer surface of the worm gear assembly (49) is determined. A gauge is provided to determine this distance.