GearLab

GearLab is a C++ pipeline for bevel gear design, from parameter definition to 3D modeling and export for simulation or manufacturing.

It focuses on spherical involute profiles, making it suitable for bevel gears produced via 3D printing, forging, injection moulding, or milling, where spherical involute profiles can be manufactured efficiently.

With GearLab, you can handle the entire design workflow — macro geometry, micro geometry, contact analysis, and visualization — all in one place.

Features (Planned)

• Spherical Involute Gear Design – Define gear parameters using accurate spherical involute geometry.
• Macro & Micro Geometry – Generate full macro geometry and detailed micro geometry for bevel gears.
• Contact Analysis – Perform LTCA (Local Tooth Contact Analysis) for accurate load and contact predictions.
• Export – Export gear models for FEM or manufacturing (FreeCAD, Gmsh, CalculiX).
• 3D Visualization – Inspect gear models in real-time with OpenGL rendering.

Directory structure

GearLab
├── CMakeLists.txt
├── /src
│   ├── main.cpp
│   ├── geometry/
│   │   ├── GearParams.h              // Gear parameters definition
│   │   ├── BevelGear.cpp             // Bevel gear macro geometry
│   │   ├── SphericalInvolute.cpp/.h  // Spherical involute profile generation
│   ├── microgeometry/
│   │   ├── CrowningParams.h          // Micro gear parameters
│   │   ├── MicroGeometry.cpp/.h      // Micro geometry generation
│   │   ├── Mesh.cpp                  // Mesh generation for LTCA
│   ├── graphics/
│   │   ├── Renderer.cpp/.h
│   │   ├── Camera.cpp/.h
│   ├── ltca/
│   │   ├── ContactModel.cpp/.h       // LTCA contact model
│   │   ├── ContactAnalysis.cpp/.h    // LTCA analysis implementation
│   ├── export/
│   │   ├── Exporter.cpp/.h           // Base exporter
│   │   ├── FreeCADExporter.cpp/.h
│   │   ├── GmshExporter.cpp/.h
│   │   ├── CalculixWriter.cpp/.h
├── /shaders
├── /assets
│   ├── CAD/                          // CAD reference files for tests
│   ├── images/                       // CAD reference files for tests
└── /tests
    └── test_gearparams.cpp           // Unit tests for gear parameter calculations

Build Instructions

Coming soon...

Contributing

Currently, contributions are not accepted. However, you can follow the project for updates. Contributions will be accepted in the future at alpha stage.

License

GearLab is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details