Title: Track roller and idler design improvement using DFSS

Authors: Mahmoud I. Awad, Adam Ewing, George Sedlak, Tong Yi, Yassir Shanshal

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Alhosn University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. ' Case New Holland, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527, USA. ' Case New Holland, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527, USA. ' Case New Holland, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527, USA. ' Case New Holland, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527, USA

Abstract: Design for Six Sigma has been utilised over the last few decades to deliver more robust products with more functionality and reduced cost. In this article, a case study is presented where a systematic DFSS approach is used to improve the life expectancy of track rollers and idlers for an off-road machine. The approach took advantage of CAE to build an analytical model that predicts stresses imposed on the rollers and idlers. The study investigates the effect of several factors on stresses and concludes by selecting the vital few factors needed for improvement.

Keywords: design for six sigma; DFSS; design of experiments; DOE; sensitivity analysis; track rollers; idlers; off-road machines; design improvement; CAE; stress prediction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2009.024213

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2009 Vol.5 No.1, pp.29 - 41

Published online: 30 Mar 2009 *

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