🔍 Key Concepts

• gear tooth manufacturing processes (such as hobbing and grinding) • normal vs. abnormal wear patterns on gear teeth • effects of lubrication problems (pressure and temperature) on gear tooth surfaces

💭 Think About

• Which of these options describes a condition that would exist from the very beginning of the gear’s service life, rather than developing as damage over time? • If lube oil temperature or pressure were at fault, what kind of surface damage or discoloration would you expect to see, and would it only be at the tips of the teeth? • Would gross misalignment or bearing wear usually produce a uniform, slight waviness or a more severe, localized pattern of damage?

✅ Before You Answer

• Distinguish between inherent manufacturing marks and progressive damage from operation • Consider whether the condition described would likely interfere with tooth meshing and load carrying, or be largely cosmetic • Ask whether true lubrication failures or misalignment would create minor ‘slight wavy’ appearance or more serious pitting/scoring/breakage