Systematic design of a new gearbox for concrete mixers

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify an innovative solution for the power transmission gearbox of concrete mixers, according to the specifications provided by the company. Design/methodology/approach A tailored systematic design approach (inspired to the German systematic framework) has been adopted to comprehensively gather the company specifications and perform in-depth design space explorations. Subsequently, an iterative embodiment design approach has been followed to identify the size of the components for the preferred concept, by using acknowledged mechanical design procedures and finite element analysis tools. Findings An innovative cycloidal gearbox has been developed, by merging the kinematics underpinning the classical cycloidal drives and the Wolfrom planetary gearbox. The resulting concept provides high reduction rates with a very high overload capacity. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the studies is the absence of in-depth evaluations usually performed in the detail design phase. However, this limitation is a direct consequence of the company specifications, which only asked to find a preferred concept and to perform preliminary evaluations. Accordingly, the subsequent design optimization are intended to be performed by the company’s staff. Originality/value The present paper shows an original design approach, opportunely tailored to the design of innovative gearboxes. It can be conveniently adapted and reused by designers involved in similar tasks. Moreover, the designed cycloidal gearbox paves the way for important innovations in the field of concrete mixers, allowing to design more robust and compact devices.

Conceptual design of a small production plant for eco-friendly packaging

“…Indeed, the methodological approach developed in this work has been thought to bring insightful ideas from academia towards realistic industrial application. Additionally, the work shown in this paper is one of the few actually available in literature, where it is possible to observe a practical application of systematic conceptual design approaches derived from academia (Fiorineschi et al , 2021b, Fiorineschi et al , 2020b).…”

Non-reactive test rig for combustor-turbine interaction studies in industrial gas turbines

“…Additionally, design scientists could consider this work as one of the few practical examples available in literature (Fiorineschi et al , 2020b) were a tailored systematic design approach has been developed and used to improve the efficiency of the process. This could pave the way for a new stream of research, aimed at better exploiting decades of academic studies about design methods, for wider practical diffusion.…”

“…Unfortunately, univocal definitions of design requirements and constraints are missing (Cascini et al, 2013), often hindering the rapid and clear exchange of information in the early stages of the design process. To support the elicitation of the requirement list, literature checklists can be exploited, as those proposed by (Pugh, 1991) and (Pahl et al, 2007), as well as tools supporting the identification of requirements for each product or system function [Fiorineschi et al (2020a[Fiorineschi et al ( , 2020b]. In the particular case of the test rig designed in this work, the main functions of the system is "to export data about temperature and pressure inside the investigated volume".…”

Exploring a Material-Focused Design Methodology: An Innovative Approach to Pressure Vessel Design

“…The application of Pahl and Beitz's systematic approach methodology is utilized in various areas of device design. For example, Fiorineschi et al [78] applied it to the design of a gearbox for concrete mixers. Lelieveld and Maeno [79] used the methodology in the design of prostheses.…”