Kinematical Simulation And Structural Optimization Of Heavy-duty Cross Universal Couplings

The heavy-duty cross universal couplings are the key components of the rolling mill main transmission system. The couplings are connected in series with two cross shaft universal joints and transmit the torque of the electric motor to the mill roller. Cross shaft universal couplings of large rolling equipment work under extreme complicated conditions and impacted by various coupling loads (mutation loads and temperature field and pressure field). At the high rolling speed of the couplings, high transmission accuracy still need to be guaranteed to ensure the accuracy of the thickness of the plate strip steel. Heavy-duty cross shaft universal couplings are weak parts in the event of failure. Once it failed, the entire rolling production line would be paused and heavy losses caused to the enterprise.CAD software was worked on the cross universal couplings geometry modeling and the structure analysis, stress analysis and motion analysis in this paper. Kinematic simulation was done with CATIA-DMU module and the kinematic performance under the actual conditions was obtained in this paper.Static analysis with the ANSYS Workbench software and the topology optimization on indirect axis of the coupling was researched on. The stress condition in the actual working fields was simulated by overall static analysis. The weak component which lead to its failure is the cross shaft was identified. The results of the structural optimization and the fatigue analysis were verified. The fatigue cloud images and damage cloud images were obtained. Optimized cross shaft has significantly improved fatigue life and lower damage. Shaft strength, stiffness conditions were satisfied by the topology optimization on the indirect axis. A significant reduction is done on the spindles quality. The quality of the design of the cross shaft universal coupling was enhanced.