This is a book I used in my mechanical engineering degree.

Textbook: Mechanisms and Dynamics of Machinery, H.H. Mabie and C.F. Reinholtz, 4th ed., Wiley, New York, 1987.

References:
Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines, G.H. Martin, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1982.
Design of Machinery, R.L. Norton, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1999.

Objectives:
The main objectives of this course are to develop:

1. An understanding of the fundamentals of kinematics and dynamics of machinery
2. Skills for the synthesis of simple mechanisms
3. An understanding of the principle of open-ended design problems dealing with simple linkages and machinery

Topics:
1. Introduction to fundamentals of kinematics.
2. Analysis and design of linkages and mechanisms.
3. Classification, kinematics and design of cams.
4. Theory of gears.
5. Analysis and design of ordinary and planetary gear trains.
6. Determination of static and dynamic forces in machines.
7. Dynamics of cam mechanisms.
8. Balance of machines and design of flywheel.
9. Vibration analysis and application to machine design.

"The Gear Analysis Handbook." James I Taylor

"Gear Drive Systems, Design and Application." Peter Lynwander

I will suggest a couple more good books. First, the "Bible" of our craft "Machinery's Handbook". It is not meant to be a treatise on gear design but it covers a lot of territory. This is not an inexpensive book, but it can be found for sale as a used item. Even an edition that is more than twenty (20) years old is still an excellent reference.

I follow this by recommending "Schaum's Outlines-Machine Design". I especially like the latter as it not only deals with the stress loads placed on gear teeth, but also has sample problems that treat the gear as an assembled unit with a shaft, bearings, etc.. The Schaum's Outlines books can usually be found in excellent used condition for just a few dollars. Check them out on Amazon.com.

Good Reading!

Ing. Robert Forbus

It depends a bit on how deep you want to go into the matter. If it's only a brief description and the rough calculation of forces you want, then go for a Schaum's Outlines or similar reading.

If you need a more thorough understanding of flank and root geometry, calculating gear rating (bending, contact pressure...) then go for a Roloff Matek, Niemann-Winter or, ideally, if you have the access, use a standard (DIN 3960, AGMA...).

Then there are a lot of books available on high math descriptions of gear geometry, kinematics... but those are of less practical use if you need to design a gear application from scratch.

There are also a few applications available helping on gear design and those can give you a hands on tool to try and understand gear geometry. Google on terms "Gear Design Software".

Good luck!!

My favorite:

Gear Handbook: The Design, Manufacture and Application of Gears (Hardcover)

by Darle W. Dudley (Author)

All the above are good references that can be purchased on-line thru various sources. Some may be difficult to find in your local bookstore. There are vast numbers of gear and gear train types. It somewhat depends on if you have a specific interest. A very good site to check would be www.agma.org They have a large listing of reference sources available to you. Good Luck!

For understanding the underlying hardcore geometry, try Earle Buckingham's book. I don't remember the title, but google the author and you'll get there. Written almost a century ago and republished every few years, it still gives the deepest insight. Other, more recent books, often give the problems in a more general vector form, which you have to solve yourself: you won't understand much that way, unless you are willing to do a PhD and are interested in hypoid or other non intersecting axes gears...

As for understanding gear stresses... Standards wont help. Most books won't help. Perhaps read Townsend's (Dudley's) Gears Handbook for an introduction (read the chapter on failures, not the strength calculations)... Understand the modes of failure and you'll gain some appreciation of the stresses. Be warned: There is Hell happening inside gears.

Some previous suggestions were good also, it all depends on how deep (or shallow) you wish to dive into the topic. But with gears, it takes ages before you really start to catch on usually...

Good luck

Norton's Design of Machinery, as stated earlier, is a good place to start.

Also, you might try MIT's Open Courseware site:

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm

There may not be anything that you can use now, but you might want to look. Also, there may be things there you find of interest.

Those are all good books,also go to rush gears.com to learn some practical applications.

Thanks for your help.