Projects / Programmes
Development prediction of fatigue life of driving belts
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
2.11.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
T210 |
Technological sciences |
Mechanical engineering, hydraulics, vacuum technology, vibration and acoustic engineering |
T480 |
Technological sciences |
Technology of other products |
P170 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Computer science, numerical analysis, systems, control |
Fatigue life, belt drives, belts
Researchers (10)
no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
1. |
20823 |
Tomaž Bešter |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
87 |
2. |
21351 |
PhD Miha Janežič |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2006 - 2008 |
325 |
3. |
16334 |
PhD Jernej Klemenc |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
779 |
4. |
19240 |
PhD Andrej Kostanjevec |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
185 |
5. |
22706 |
Mitja Mahnič |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2005 - 2007 |
70 |
6. |
13469 |
PhD Marko Nagode |
Mechanical design |
Head |
2005 - 2008 |
810 |
7. |
18623 |
Miran Nerat |
|
Technical associate |
2005 - 2008 |
0 |
8. |
10370 |
PhD Ivan Okorn |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
103 |
9. |
21675 |
Primož Pangeršič |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2005 - 2008 |
96 |
10. |
20659 |
PhD Andrej Wagner |
Mechanical design |
Researcher |
2007 - 2008 |
131 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Polymeric composite products occupy an important range of products for general use because of their undisputed advantages: low weight, high strength, resistance against dynamic loads an corrosion. They often represent a unique technological possibility, such as skis, power transmitting belts and flexible tubes.
One of the major development challenges in using the dynamically loaded polymeric composites is their fatigue life prediction. They have a complex structure and expressed anisotropic properties. The polymeric matrix links together the fibres in composite and gives the final shape. The binding material should link together the fibres and the matrix despite different chemical compositions. Glass or polyester fibres have to be linked together in an epoxi, polyurethan or rubber matrix etc.
Tests for experimental fatigue life prediction of polymeric composites are time-consuming and expensive. As different prototypes have to be tested at distinct usage and environment conditions (temperature, humidity) and as in the manufacturing process different technological conditions (pressure, temperature, surface treatment, different binding materials) are used, the industry faces extensive development times of composite products.
The aim of the project is the development of the methodology that will enable us to predict the fatigue life of driving belts in early design phases by considering the true usage and true environmental conditions. A system for accelerated testing is going to be developed and verified, too.
The methodology will be verified by an industrial example of belt drive fatigue life estimation at distinct usage and environmental conditions. We are going vary the pulley diameters, the speed and tension in belts and the power. The influence of temperature, service factors, the idlers and the geometrical imperfections are going to be analysed, too.
As the industry of polymeric composites is broadened (Goodyear EPE, Sava, Elan, Gorenje, Cimos, etc.), the results will certainly be used in the Republic of Slovenia. The programme unit has shown a number of applicative projects and has already made a research contract with the beneficiary. The programme unit has successfully employed quite a number of young researches in the industry, too. The beneficiary has as well employed some former postgraduate students in its development unit (dr. Metlikovič, mag. Mesec, mag. Grm). The project will contribute significantly to the understanding of the mechanisms influencing the fatigue life of polymeric composites and will be verified by an industrial case.