What is the term for tooth width measured along the chord at the pitch circle?

The term for tooth width measured along the chord at the pitch circle is known as chordal thickness. Chordal thickness is significant because it describes the effective width of a tooth as viewed along a line perpendicular to the pitch circle, providing important information about the strength and interaction of gear teeth when meshing.

Understanding chordal thickness is essential in gear design, as it can influence factors such as load distribution and the overall performance of the gear system. It helps engineers determine how teeth engage with one another and ensures that the gears can handle the intended loads without failure.

This concept plays a critical role when calculating the necessary dimensions and tolerances in gear manufacturing, ensuring operational efficiency and longevity of the gear system. While other terms like flank, face width, and width of space refer to different aspects of gear tooth geometry, they do not specifically describe the measurement along the chord at the pitch circle, which is why chordal thickness is the correct term in this context.