This standard provides a method by which different gear designs can be compared. It is intended for use by the experienced gear designer capable of selecting reasonable values for the various factors, based on their knowledge of performance of similar designs and the effects of such items as lubrication, deflection, manufacturing tolerances, metallurgy, residual stress and system dynamics.

The majority of marine gears are of helical or double helical tooth design. Spur gear tooth designs are not generally used except for power take-off drives and reversing sections of marine gear units.

This standard is not intended to assure performance of assembled gear drive systems, and is not intended for use by the engineering public at large.