FE-DESIGN

Performance increase of a planet-wheel carrier at the threshold to realiability

Customer request

Through optimization component properties are often pushed to the limits. Thereby the risk increases that small variations in material and geometry parameters lead to failure of the component. In order to exploit the remaining potential for performance enhancement of planetary gears, detailed information is needed on the variation of component properties in critical areas. To this end, the company Pulsgetriebe GmbH wanted to explore the example of a planet carrier. First critical parameters for stresses and durability were to be identified (DOE). Next quantitative information about robustness and reliability should be extracted and these information had to be systematically considered in subsequent optimization steps.

Our solution: DOE, Robust Design

Inside OPTIMUS a process was set up which controlled the change of geometric parameters in the CAD Model, an automated remeshing and finite element analysis. Through strategic experimental designs (DOE) a sensitivity analysis was performed which allowed for a reduction of the parameter space to parameters with an especially large influence on the maximum stresses. The reduced parameter space was scanned with a systematic DOE (Latin Hypercube) and on the resulting data prediction models were created that were used for the analysis of variance of the stresses.

Benefit for the customer

For the existing design an uncritical spread of the von Mises stress of about 2% of the mean could be determined. The design proved to be robust and reliable. Additional potential for weight reduction or material substitution is thus available and will be tested in further steps.

09.08.10