PolyWorks Gear Inspection Plugin
Gear Measurement, Inspection and Reverse Engineering Inside PolyWorks
Inspect Gear is a PolyWorks gear inspection plugin designed for portable CMM users who need practical, repeatable gear inspection on-site or in the workshop. The plugin runs inside PolyWorks and provides a guided workflow to measure spur gears, helical gears and splines, calculate key gear parameters, and generate consistent inspection results for engineering review.
This solution is suited to maintenance, reliability and quality teams working on critical rotating equipment in mining and heavy industry.
Why Use a Gear Plugin in PolyWorks?
PolyWorks is widely used for portable CMM measurement, but gear evaluation often requires specialised inspection logic and reporting. Inspect Gear adds gear-specific capability directly into the PolyWorks environment, so teams can:
- Follow a structured measurement method for gear features
- Reduce variation between operators
- Produce consistent inspection outputs for internal QA and external suppliers
- Support shutdown and incoming inspection requirements
Supported Gear Types
The plugin supports inspection and evaluation for:
- External spur gears
- External helical gears
- Splines / spline shafts (external)
If you work with large industrial gears, the workflow is designed to suit practical site access and real inspection constraints.
Guided Measurement Workflow
Inside PolyWorks, the plugin provides a clear workflow to:
- Select the gear type and inspection method
- Establish alignment and reference datums
- Capture tooth geometry and key features
- Review measurement results and deviations
- Export inspection outputs and reports
The goal is to make gear inspection simpler and more consistent for portable CMM users while maintaining technical credibility.
Measurement Methods
Probe-Based Measurement
Direct probing of tooth flanks and reference features using the appropriate stylus configuration. This method is recommended for maximum accuracy when access and probe sizes are suitable.
Measurement Pin Method
Use of calibrated pins to capture geometry where direct probing is restricted or where large gears require a practical approach. This method is commonly used for on-site inspection and incoming inspection of large gear components.
Both methods are supported within the plugin workflow.
Reverse Engineering Support
For legacy gears or undocumented components, the plugin supports reverse engineering by enabling capture and calculation of the geometry needed for:
- Replacement gear design validation
- Manufacturing reference data
- Comparison against existing components
- Supplier verification and acceptance checks
This is particularly useful when only partial access is available during overhaul or when disassembly is not feasible.
Typical Use Cases
- On-site inspection of large gearbox gears during shutdowns
- Incoming inspection of replacement gears prior to installation
- Verification of refurbished gears from suppliers
- Reverse engineering of legacy gears for replacement manufacturing
- Inspection support when gear removal is not practical
Request a Demonstration
Contact Inspect Gear to arrange a demonstration of the PolyWorks Gear Inspection Plugin for your portable CMM workflow, including on-site inspection and incoming inspection applications.