Recent advancements in 3D printing for gear design and analysis: a comprehensive review

This comprehensive review paper delves into the analysis of 3D printed spur gears, with a keen focus on their design, material selection, manufacturing processes, and assessment of contact strength. With the rising adoption of additive manufacturing, there's a growing interest in its suitability for gear production. The paper examines various facets, encompassing tailored design considerations for 3D printed spur gears, along with analytical, numerical, and experimental methodologies employed for evaluating contact stress, tooth bending strength, and impact resistance. Furthermore, it provides an overview of different 3D printing techniques pertinent to gear manufacturing. The study underscores the significance of optimizing gear design parameters to ensure adequate contact strength and reliable performance. Notably, the review reveals widespread usage of Solidworks for modeling, ANSYS for numerical analysis, and PLA as the predominant material choice for 3D printing, particularly employing the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method. By consolidating current knowledge, this article offers valuable insights into the realm of 3D printed spur gears while delineating avenues for future research in this domain.