8461.40.50.50 - For bevel gears

This HTS category, 8461.40.50.50, specifically encompasses machines designed for the finishing of gears. While the broader category 8461.40 covers gear grinding or finishing machines, this particular subheading narrows the scope to those machines whose primary function is to impart the final precise shape and surface finish to gear teeth. This includes processes such as honing, lapping, or burnishing, which improve the gear's performance by reducing noise, vibration, and wear, and are distinct from the material-removing operations characteristic of gear cutting or rough grinding.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 8461.40.50.70 (Other), is crucial. The "Other" category would generally include machines for gear grinding or finishing that do not specifically fall under the "For bevel gears" designation. Therefore, 8461.40.50.50 is reserved for machines whose design, tooling, and operational parameters are optimized for the precise finishing of bevel gears, a specific type of gear known for its conical shape and use in transmitting motion between intersecting shafts.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories. Classification under 8461.40.50.50 relies on the machine's ability to perform finishing operations on bevel gears. Key classification criteria would include the machine's configuration, the specific finishing processes it employs (e.g., using abrasive stones, polishing compounds, or specialized tooling), and its explicit capability to accommodate and process the geometry of bevel gears.