SABIC Innovative Plastics, a world leader in engineering thermoplastic solutions, has collaborated with Swiss software maker KISSsoft to help devise high-performance, durable and versatile thermoplastic compounds that will replace metals.
To accelerate that move, KISSsoft is now applying gear sizing calculations for 17 grades of Sabic Innovative Plastics’ LNP speciality compounds, including high-temperature, internally lubricated and fibre-reinforced grades.
“Now, engineers and designers can replace trial and error with validated data on parameters such as strength, temperature resistance and tooth flank wear to significantly streamline their gear design process,” a Sabic Innovative Plastics statement says.
“This new solution can help a wide range of industries, from healthcare and automotive to food services, leverage the advantages of plastic gears to reduce system cost, greatly expand design freedom, lower weight and deliver higher performance,” it says.
“A major roadblock to designing plastic gears has been the lack of reliable data,” says Dr Stefan Beermann, CEO KISSsoft.
“Sizing calculations for metal gears cannot be applied to plastics because plastics’ performance properties can vary with temperature. Our work with Sabic Innovative Plastics has enabled KISSsoft to incorporate the properties of a large group of the company’s high-end compounds into our calculation software, radically simplifying the gear design process.
Whether the gears are for cable car systems, construction equipment, Formula 1 race car transmissions or spacecraft, customers can now select and evaluate Sabic Innovative Plastics’ speciality compounds quickly and accurately.”
Metal-to-plastic conversion represents a major trend and a significant improvement in gear technology. Plastic gears deliver a number of improvements over traditional metal, beginning with significantly enhanced design freedom.
Moulding instead of machining enables new configurations while avoiding the costs of secondary operations. The lighter weight of plastics also reduces inertia for greater gear efficiency.
