A tooth surface curvature interference judgment method was presented based on the tooth surface topology structure

and the criterion for tooth surface curvature interference was given by constructing topology deviation of the two tooth surfaces. This method could intuitively identify if there is the tooth surface curvature interference

and could reflect the actual contact field of meshing. Tooth surface curvature interference of a pair of spiral bevel gears was calculated. The analysis results show that the toe

the heel and the tip of the pinion on working flank will be subject to curvature interference

and the contact pattern will be at the regions of the toe and the heel; the tip of the pinion on non-working flank will be subject to curvature interference. The spiral bevel gear pair was processed by computer numerical control gear milling machine and the contact pattern was tested. The contact patterns are located at the toe and the heel of the pinion on working flank; on non-working flank

meshing occurs on the tip of the pinion. The test results are consistent with the predicted results by the proposed method.