Small computer software for analysis of stress concentration factors was developed at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Sarajevo. Software name is AlfaK. Developing process of the software was presented in previous papers of same authors, in this paper testing of the software was done using numerical analysis. To test accuracy of AlfaK software, analysis of stress concentration factors was done numerically using CATIA V5 commercial software for characteristic geometrical changes in form. Obtained data from numerical analysis are used for comparison with results from AlfaK, and on that way, accuracy of AlfaK software is investigated

There is a lot of papers concerning gears topology optimization, but all of them are limited to the topology optimization of gear body. Gear tooth is not taken into consideration so far. Gear tooth was not optimized before because optimised structure could not be produced. By advancing of additive manufacturing technology, now, gear tooth can be produced in a form of shell body with empty space inside. In this paper, mass of spur gear tooth is optimized in relation to Von- Misses stress on critical places on the gear tooth. Optimization goal is to find optimal shell thickness of shell body spur gear tooth.

This article presents architecture of integrated intelligent computer-aided design system for designing mechanical power-transmitting mechanisms (IICADkmps). The system has been developed in C# program environment with the aim of automatising the design process. This article presents a modern, automated approach to design. Developed kmps modules for calculation of geometrical and design characteristics of mechanical power-transmitting mechanisms are described. Three-dimensional geometrical parameter modelling of mechanical power-transmitting mechanisms was performed in the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing/computer-aided engineering system CATIA V5. The connection between kmps calculation modules and CATIA V5 modelling system was established through initial three-dimensional models – templates. The outputs from the developed IICADkmps system generated final three-dimensional virtual models of mechanical power-transmitting mechanisms. Testing of the developed IICADkmps system was performed on friction, belt, cogged (spur and bevel gears) and chain transmitting mechanisms. Also, connection of the developed IICADkmps system with a device for rapid prototyping and computer numerical control machines was made for the purpose of additional testing and verification of practical use. Physical prototypes of designed characteristic elements of mechanical power-transmitting mechanisms were manufactured. The selected test three-dimensional virtual prototypes, obtained as an output from the developed IICADkmps system, were manufactured on the device for rapid prototyping (three-dimensional colour printer Spectrum Z510) and computer numerical control machines. Finally, at the end of the article, conclusions and suggested possible directions of further research, based on theoretical and practical research results, are presented.

Computer software for analysis of stress concentration factors was developed at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Sarajevo. The software name is AlfaK. To test AlfaK software, analysis of stress concentration factors was done by using various others computer software. In addition to AlfaK, analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel modules developed within the book [1]. The goal of this paper is to show that with a good knowledge of programming languages, small software applications can be developed for specific engineering problems, in order to avoid purchasing expensive software packages

(1) Background: With the ever-increasing number of polymer materials and limited data on polymer gear calculations, designers are often required to perform extensive experimental testing in order to establish reliable operational data for specific gear applications. This research investigates the potential of a Polyvinyldene fluoride (PVDF) polymer material in gear applications, considering various loading conditions and different types of gear transmission configurations, including both self-mated mesh and steel/PVDF mesh. (2) Methods: PVDF gear samples were tested on a specially designed test rig that enables active torque control and temperature monitoring in order to obtain the necessary design parameters and failure modes. Each test for certain load conditions was repeated five times, and to fully investigate the potential of PVDF gear samples, comparative testing was performed for Polyoxymethylene (POM) gear. (3) Results: Tribological compatibility, tooth load capacity, and lifespan assessment, along with the types of failure, which, for some configurations, include several types of failures, such as wear and melting, were determined. Temperature monitoring data were used to estimate the coefficient of friction at the tooth contact of analyzed gear pairs, while optical methods were used to determine a wear coefficient. (4) Conclusions: The tribological compatibility of polymer gear pairs needs to be established in order to design a gear pair for a specific application. PVDF gear samples mated with steel gear showed similar lifespan properties compared to POM samples. Temperature monitoring and optical methods serve as a basis for the determination of the design parameters. PVDF is an appropriate material to use in gear applications, considering its comparable properties with POM. The particular significance of this research is reflected in the establishment of the design parameters of PVDF gear, as well as in the analysis of the potential of the PVDF material in gear applications, which gives exceptional significance to the current knowledge on polymer gears, considering that the PVDF material has not previously been analyzed in gear applications.

Research about characteristics of designs from industrial designers and product designers