Power transmission calculator

Gear DXF Generator

Generate a spur gear DXF with true involute teeth for laser, waterjet, or CNC cutting, from module or diametral pitch and tooth count.

Design a laser-cut spur gear

Set the pitch, teeth, and pressure angle, add a mating gear, then choose a bore and plate.

Units
Presets
mm
x · module
Tooth thinning
mm

Preview the mesh, center distance, ratio, and contact ratio.

x · module

Hub, holes, and plate

mm
Min. feature 0.050 in · 1.27 mm

Gear dimensions

Pitch diameter
48 mm
Outside diameter
52 mm
Root diameter
43 mm
Base circle diameter
45.105 mm
Circular pitch
6.283 mm
Tooth thickness at pitch
3.092 mm
Diametral pitch
12.7 DP
Mating pitch diameter
96 mm
Mating outside diameter
100 mm
Center distance
72 mm
Gear ratio
2 : 1
Contact ratio
1.675

Mesh preview

Involute flanks and trochoid root fillets are generated by rolling a basic rack through each tooth space, the way a hob cuts a gear. Dashed circles are pitch circles.

True generated tooth form

Download the manufacturing files

100% in-browser

STEP solids are built and checked in your browser. DXF and SVG drawings use lines and true arcs at full scale. Nothing is uploaded until you order.

  • ⌀ 51.7 mm

  • ⌀ 99.9 mm

Laser cut it at Fabworks

We generate the STEP files, add them to a new quote, and open it in a new tab where you can review material, finish, and quantity.

Quick answer

How this gear dxf generator calculator works

A gear DXF generator turns module (or diametral pitch), tooth count, and pressure angle into a closed 2D gear outline; here d = m·z sets the pitch circle and the flanks are true involutes exported as lines and arcs in millimeters. Download DXF for laser, waterjet, or CNC routing, SVG for drawings, or STEP for a solid, or send the gear to a Fabworks quote.

How to use the calculator

  1. 1Enter module or diametral pitch, tooth count, and pressure angle.
  2. 2Add a bore and any bolt circle or lightening holes.
  3. 3Set backlash so mating gears run freely once cut.
  4. 4Check the preview for undercut and minimum-feature warnings.
  5. 5Download the DXF (and the mating gear if you need it), or order the gear from Fabworks.

Worked example

Module 2, 24-tooth gear DXF

Inputs
m = 2 mm, z = 24, 20° pressure angle, 8 mm round bore.
Result
A closed DXF outline with a 52 mm outside diameter, 48 mm pitch circle, and 43 mm root circle, in millimeters.

Each involute flank is written as tangent arcs within 0.005 mm of the true curve, so cutting software reads clean lines and arcs instead of splines.

Common questions

What to know before using the result

What units does the gear DXF use?
Millimeters. A 20 DP gear is converted with m = 25.4 ÷ DP, so it imports at the correct size in any CAD or CAM program set to mm.
Does the DXF contain splines?
No. Tooth flanks are exported as tangent arcs and lines that stay within 0.005 mm of the true involute, which most laser, waterjet, and CNC software handles more reliably than splines.
Should I offset the DXF for kerf?
No. The DXF is the finished part outline; kerf is handled in the cutting program, not the drawing. Add backlash in the generator if you want the gears to run looser.
Can I get the mating gear as a DXF too?
Yes. Enter the mating gear’s teeth and shift, and the mating part exports in the same formats with the correct center distance shown.
Can I get a STEP or SVG instead?
Yes. STEP gives a solid at the selected plate thickness, built and validated in the browser, and SVG gives a 2D outline for drawings or documentation.
Can Fabworks cut the gear for me?
Yes. Select Order to upload the generated STEP into a Fabworks quote in the material and thickness you chose. Laser-cut gears suit low to moderate speed and load.

Formula

d = m·z · dₐ = m(z + 2) · d_f = m(z − 2.5) · d_b = d·cos α

Pitch diameter d is module m times tooth count z, with diametral pitch converted by m = 25.4 ÷ DP. Flanks are true involutes of the base circle d·cos α, and the root is the trochoid traced by an ISO 53 rack cutter.

Engineering references

Assumptions and limits

  • Default tooth proportions follow ISO 53 profile A: addendum 1.0m, dedendum 1.25m, root fillet 0.38m.
  • Center distance and contact ratio assume rigid, correctly aligned shafts at the working center distance.
  • Backlash is applied by thinning each gear tooth by the entered allowance at the pitch circle.
  • Exported flanks are arc approximations within 0.005 mm of the generated tooth form.
  • Laser-cut gears suit low to moderate speed and load; critical drives need engineering review.
Educational estimate
Use this result for learning and early design exploration. Verify safety-critical or production decisions with the governing standard, material data, real tooling, and a qualified engineer.

Keep designing

Order Sheet Metal Parts

Upload a 2D DXF or 3D STEP file for an instant laser cutting quote. Quote in seconds, order in minutes, receive parts in days.

STEP / DXF up to 24MB

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