Designing and refurbishing worm drives based on imperial standards (AGMA / ANSI) is a frequent challenge for machining workshops in both Europe and North America. Non-standard pitches, modules specified via Diametral Pitch (DP) or Circular Pitch (CP), and pressure angles of 14.5° or 25° typically require ordering costly custom-ground form inserts.
The latest update to EvoSpline NC Generator solves this issue. The application now includes a dedicated Worms Module Imperial, allowing you to automatically generate complete, production-ready NC code for CNC lathes running in imperial units (G70).
Imperial Worms Machined with Universal Standard Tools
The core approach of the imperial module is bringing the proven step-over profiling technology from the metric module into the imperial system. Instead of relying on a dedicated custom form tool, Archimedean worms are machined using:
- Standard profiling/copy inserts (e.g., VBMT / VCGT),
- Grooving inserts with a specified width and corner radius,
- Standard trapezoidal threading inserts.
The module automatically calculates the complete toolpath across all roughing and finishing passes, ensuring an accurate axial profile geometry and smooth crest edge radiusing.
Key Features of the Worms Imperial Module
- Flexible Pitch Definition (DP vs. CP):
- Diametral Pitch (DP): Range from 0.5 to 50 (free version: 12–26).
- Circular Pitch (CP): Range from 0.05″ to 3.0″ (free version: 0.125″–0.25″).
- The software calculates the equivalent module, pitch diameter, lead, and helix angle in real time.
- Multi-Start Worm Support:
- Supports from 1 up to 44 starts with precise spindle indexing in the G-code output (
Qaddress for Mazak,SFparameter for Sinumerik).
- Supports from 1 up to 44 starts with precise spindle indexing in the G-code output (
- Undercut-Free Machining (Angled Infeed and Pull-Out):
- When no relief grooves/undercuts exist, the tool feeds smoothly into the material and pulls out over a defined Z-axis distance, synchronizing the X and Z axes throughout the
G32/G33threading cycle.
- When no relief grooves/undercuts exist, the tool feeds smoothly into the material and pulls out over a defined Z-axis distance, synchronizing the X and Z axes throughout the
- In-App Tooth Thickness Compensation:
- The Tooth thickness correction parameter allows you to fine-tune backlash directly during path generation.
- Independent Project Storage (.wormi):
- Save each setup into a dedicated project file and reload it whenever required.
Download and Try for Free
The Worms Module Imperial is available now in the full version on the Microsoft Store. Each module includes a free 7-day trial, allowing you to verify the generated code directly on your machine tool.
