SFT systems provide insightful data to the transmission designers as well as the final test and vehicle assembly departments, but the challenges of gear alignment remain largely unsolved. The SFTA system specializes in measuring match-set parallel-axis gear pairs without the use of a master gear. The SFTA system is integrated with an 8-Axis CNC-controlled pitch and angle function that can automatically adjust testing parameters with up to four degrees of offset face width. The machine is designed with a zero-point center distance function that allows for compatibility with almost all traditional, hybrid, and EV gearbox configurations.

SFT for Quiet Vehicle Cabins Today’s vehicles require high torque gears and ultra-quiet interior cabins. Vehicle OEM’s are routinely optimizing gear microgeometry to ensure both performance and gear noise reduction. In our expert experience, we see that even with the most optimized designs, noise can find its way into the gear systems through the manufacturing processes. SFT provides a means to detect and quantify these deviations under conditions representative of functional operation. By correlating transmission error and torsional response with NVH-relevant characteristics, SFT enables identification of manufacturing-induced noise sources. Integration of SFT data into statistical process control (SPC) systems supports continuous monitoring and helps maintain consistent quality levels throughout production.

Conclusion SFT provides a functional approach to gear evaluation by linking geometrical deviations with dynamic system response under operating conditions. Through the combined analysis of transmission error and torsional acceleration, SFT enables identification of both quasi-static deviations and NVH-relevant excitation mechanisms, supporting a more comprehensive understanding of gear performance. In high-volume production environments, this capability allows earlier detection of manufacturing-induced deviations and facilitates closed-loop process control when integrated with statistical quality systems. As requirements for noise performance and efficiency continue to increase—particularly in electrified drivetrains—the importance of such functional measurement methods is expected to grow. As an established supplier of gear manufacturing and metrology systems, Gleason contributes to the development and industrial implementation of SFT technology, true to its “Design-Manufacture-Measure” philosophy. By integrating SFT within a broader portfolio that includes design tools, manufacturing equipment, and inspection systems, a consistent link can be established between design intent, production processes, and measured performance. This system-level approach supports improved correlation between geometry, function, and NVH behavior across the entire gear development and production chain.