COMPUTER-AIDED GEAR PRODUCT REALIZATION

To save time and resources, many are making the transition to developing their ideas virtually. Computer-aided gear production realization is becoming more and more desired in the industry. To produce gears with custom qualities, such as material, weight and shape, the trial and error approach has yielded the best results. However, trial and error is costly and time consuming. The computer-aided integrated design and manufacturing approach is intended to resolve these drawbacks. A simple one stage reduction spur gearbox is used as an example in a case study. First, the gear geometry is developed using computer aided design (CAD) modeling. Next, using MATLAB/Simulink, the gear assembly is connected virtually to other subsystems for system expectations and interaction analysis. Finally, using finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as ABAQUS, a dynamic FEA of the gear integration is completed to analyze the stress concentrations and gear tooth failures. Through this method of virtual gear design, customized dimensions and specifications of gears for satisfying system level requirements can be developed, thereby saving time and manufacturing costs for any custom gear design request.