When assembling a pair of gears, what is a good method for setting and checking their mesh?

摘要

Expert response provided by: Robert Wasilewski, Arrow Gear Company. Proper setting of gears usually involves checking backlash and tooth contact pattern. Backlash can be checked using a dial test indicator applied to a tooth on one member of the mesh and moving that member back and forth while holding the other member still. Contact pattern checks require painting some or all of the teeth of at least one member with gear marking compound and rotating the gears to see how they contact in the marking compound.