Gear tools for use on universal CNC machines

Published Date
October 29, 2025
Gear tools for use on universal CNC machines

Advances in 5-axis CNC machining centers and turn-mill machines now enable manufacturers to cut gears with precision and efficiency—using specialized tools designed for multipurpose platforms. Star SU offers a range of tools that work with universal CNC machines to unlock gear manufacturing flexibility.

The company’s range of tools for universal machining centers include form cutters, hobs, power skiving cutters and shaper cutters, as well as customized carbide round tools -- empowering manufacturers with the speed, accuracy, and flexibility needed to stay competitive in modern gear production. Benefits of these new machines and tools includes:

  • Flexibility: Easily switch between gear types and sizes without retooling entire lines.
  • Process Integration: Combine turning, drilling, milling, tapping, and finishing in one setup—reducing cycle time.
  • High Precision: Achieve micro-level accuracy, ensuring superior gear profiles and surface finish without repositioning errors.
  • Cost Efficiency: Eliminate the need for dedicated gear machines in low-volume or prototype production.
     

Related Glossary Terms

  • centers

    centers

    Cone-shaped pins that support a workpiece by one or two ends during machining. The centers fit into holes drilled in the workpiece ends. Centers that turn with the workpiece are called “live” centers; those that do not are called “dead” centers.

  • computer numerical control ( CNC)

    computer numerical control ( CNC)

    Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

  • gang cutting ( milling)

    gang cutting ( milling)

    Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.

  • milling

    milling

    Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.

  • slotting machine ( shaper)

    slotting machine ( shaper)

    Vertical or horizontal machine that accommodates single-point, reciprocating cutting tools to shape or slot a workpiece. Normally used for special (unusual/intricate shapes), low-volume runs typically performed by broaching or milling machines. See broaching machine; mill, milling machine.

  • tapping

    tapping

    Machining operation in which a tap, with teeth on its periphery, cuts internal threads in a predrilled hole having a smaller diameter than the tap diameter. Threads are formed by a combined rotary and axial-relative motion between tap and workpiece. See tap.

  • turning

    turning

    Workpiece is held in a chuck, mounted on a face plate or secured between centers and rotated while a cutting tool, normally a single-point tool, is fed into it along its periphery or across its end or face. Takes the form of straight turning (cutting along the periphery of the workpiece); taper turning (creating a taper); step turning (turning different-size diameters on the same work); chamfering (beveling an edge or shoulder); facing (cutting on an end); turning threads (usually external but can be internal); roughing (high-volume metal removal); and finishing (final light cuts). Performed on lathes, turning centers, chucking machines, automatic screw machines and similar machines.