KEVOS® 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

InputUnitTypical source
Tooth formchoiceTooth form and cutter type.
Number of teethNumber 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.

Method and formulas

  1. Single-angle cutter: cos α = tan(360° ÷ N) × cot θ ÷ 2.
  2. Double-angle cutter: cos α = tan(180° ÷ N) × cot(θ ÷ 2) ÷ 2.
  3. 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.
  4. 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