Can non-standard involute gears of different modules mesh?

Under the current standardized involute gear systems, meshing of gears of different modules is a practical impossibility. However, by performing a fresh reinterpretation of the well-established fundamental meshing principles, a more insightful form for the compatibility equations that govern involute gear tooth generation and meshing can be obtained. This article reports some first non-standard designs based on this analysis that allows gears of different modules to mesh. By the same token, standard gears can be manufactured with non-standard hobs and vice versa. Initial investigation suggests that practical benefits such as increasing the root bending strength without affecting the pitting resistance and the sliding velocity can be achieved that may justify such deviation from standard designs.