We have been involved in many collaborative research projects to develop knowledge and understanding of gear materials and manufacturing processes. Our industrial collaborators are from a wide spectrum of engineering industries, including aerospace, automotive, industrial, and defence.

A summary of the bending fatigue strength research projects in which the Design Unit have played a role follows.

Project 5B: Improved processes

This project was conducted in collaboration with the British Gear Association. We investigated the bending fatigue strength of:

• vacuum carburised 16MnCr5 gears of 4.2mm module in the ‘as hobbed’ condition
• thick and thin case nitrided EN40B gears of 8mm module in the ‘as hobbed’ condition

Project 5C: High performance materials

This project was conducted by a private research consortium with various members from industry. We investigated the bending fatigue strength of:

• various high performance carburising and nitriding steels typically used in the automotive industry.

Project 5X: Evaluation of laser peening

This project was conducted by a private research consortium with various members from industry:

• British Gear Association
• Corus Engineering Steels (now Tata Steel)
• Timken
• Allen Gears
• GE Aviation
• Rolls Royce
• David Brown Gear Systems Ltd
• MoD (N)
• Ovako Steels
• Metal Improvement Company

We investigated:

• the bending and contact fatigue performance of gears manufactured from various carburising and nitriding steels which have been enhanced using the laser shock peening process.

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Our Services: Mechanical Testing

• Bearings
• Chain and Belt Drives
• Efficiency
• Lubrication
• Bending Fatigue Testing
  • Research Projects and Futher Information

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