The use of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) is a powerful engineering analysis tool to reduce distortion, improve yield and to improve “first-time” quality. In this paper, CFD was used to understand quenchant flow in a quench tank, and to understand the effect of quenchant flow on part distortion. FLUENT was used to simulate the quenchant flow through a quench rack of automotive pinions. The analysis showed several locations where the flow could be improved in the quench tank, and identified regions of quenching non-uniformity on the parts. The flow on the parts was examined on the stem, the head and the overall pinion, to identify locations of suspected high distortion.
FLUENT was used to simulate the quenchant flow through a quench rack of automotive pinions. Utilizing a typical heat treat rack arrangement, two parts in an actual rack of heat treated pinions were then evaluated by finite element simulations using the finite element software, DANTE®, using the CFD results as boundary conditions for the finite element analysis. Part shape change, internal stress, and phase transformation histories were calculated for this carburized pinion gear made of AISI 8620.
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