Transient Structural Analysis on Worm Gear Assembly

OBJECTIVE:

To perform a transient structural analysis on a worm gear assembly. To rotate the worm so as to get to almost end of the half cut and get results for Equivalent stress, Equivalent elastic strain and the total deformation in the model.

SOLUTION:

Step 1: Part model and material

The model for the analysis was given, but in order to maintain the limit of the academic version the gear was cut in half. For the entire model, material was assigned as structural steel.

Step 2: Connections

For the analysis, proper contacts need to be defined between the bodies. The contact and target bodies were selected as shown in figure and was defined as frictionless contacts. Both the worm and gear were defined as revolute joints.

Step 3: Meshing

The entire model was meshed using an element size of 1.5mm.

Step 4: Analysis settings

The analysis was carried out over 15 steps. Initial time step = 0.2s, minimum time step = 0.2s and maximum time step = 0.5s. All output controls were turned to yes condition, except miscellaneous contact. The worm was rotated from 0 degree to 1350 degree, in increments of 90 degrees.

Step 5: Results

The equivalent stress, strain and deformation were found for the above simulation.

Maximum equivalent stress = 2266MPa

Maximum equivalent strain = 0.012214

Maximum deformation = 12.977mm