BearinX : a simulation tool for understanding machine members failures

Machine members like transmission shafts, gear shafts, sprocket drives and supporting bearings are usually subjected to complex loading modes during their duties. Power rating, external (working loads) and internal forces (inertial forces), speeds and environmental factors (Temperature) are decisive working parameters that affect not only viability but also reliability of those machine members. Material selection plays their a decisive role too. Complex interactions between previous working factors make that understanding some of their (most probable) failure modes is surely not trivial. Usually, there exists also differences between nominal working conditions and effective ones making more tricky the appreciation of failure mode scenarios. BearinX is a FDM numerical tool allowing easy geometrical definition of machine members (Shafts, gears, couplings, ...), their (sub-)assemblies, their parameterization (Materials and mechanical characteristics) and the definition of their working load cases (Static, dynamic, rotative loads, ...). Based on power flowing through those machine components, the solver evaluates useful quantities to failure analysts and designers like support reactions, MNT diagrams, stresses and deformations, von MISES stresses and fatigue lives. Each defined machine member object is numerically detailed analyzed, load case per load case, to identify weak points. Particular emphasis is made on joining parts like bearings where additional analysis is pursued : load and pressure distribution, tribological aspects are finely estimated giving failure analysts and designers useful estimates of the physics they are the seat. Integrated parametric analysis and optimization tools (under constraints) gives both specialists opportunities to quickly simulate scenarios showing them the vraisemblance of what the see or pistes to prevent given failure modes. This talk wants to show the performances of this tool through a case study of gear shaft line guided in rotation by rolling element bearings.