Title: Virtual prototyping in design of synchronous belts drives

Authors: Silviu Butnariu, Doru Talaba

Addresses: Department of Product Design and Robotics, Transilvania University of Brasov, 29 Eroilor Blv., 500036, Brasov, Romania. ' Department of Product Design and Robotics, Transilvania University of Brasov, 29 Eroilor Blv., 500036, Brasov, Romania

Abstract: Today, the synchronous belt drives design involves step-by-step procedures for selecting acceptable belts and other components for a demanded application. For special applications, the design of the belt drives components can be optimised by simulating the drive tests under different loading. The present paper presents a detailed model developed for the characterisation of the behaviour of synchronous belt transmissions, with the final goal of predicting the load distribution on the contact arc and suggesting possible design changes, in order to avoid the improper structure of the transmission. CAE methods, such as FEA or multi-body analysis aim to replace classical tests after experimental validation of computer software results. This method involves a degree of subjectivity during its deployment: the choice of materials and their properties, the choice of joints and applications, defining areas of contact.

Keywords: virtual prototyping; synchronous belts drives; timing belt; FEA; multi-body analysis; finite element analysis; CAE; belt drive design; load distribution; contact arc.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDE.2008.024788

International Journal of Design Engineering, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.380 - 395

Published online: 30 Apr 2009 *

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