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Western Michigan University

Honors Theses

2020

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Software Tool For Analyzing The Bending Strength Of Gear Teeth, Tayla Hall Dec 2020

Software Tool For Analyzing The Bending Strength Of Gear Teeth, Tayla Hall

Honors Theses

Current finite element (FE) models for gear analysis are computationally expensive. We will develop a software tool in Excel to efficiently assess the effect of different root geometries on gear tooth bending strength. The tool will assess the change in root stress as the root fillet shape is changed, using a 2-D model of a representative gear tooth using an A to B comparison. This is assumed to correlate to equivalent stress reduction in an actual gear. The tool will be validated by comparing the root stress found using the software to a FE analysis of root stress using ANSYS. …


Design Of A Carbon Fiber Composite Monocoque Chassis For A Formula-Style Vehicle, Alexander Carline Apr 2020

Design Of A Carbon Fiber Composite Monocoque Chassis For A Formula-Style Vehicle, Alexander Carline

Honors Theses

Western Michigan University’s Formula SAE team, Bronco Racing, designs and manufactures a formula-style vehicle to compete annually at an international collegiate design and racing competition. In order to remain competitive, Bronco Racing required a lighter chassis for the 2021 vehicle. To achieve this, the full 2020 carbon fiber monocoque chassis system was redesigned to be lightweight while considering packaging constraints, the Formula SAE rules, and design parameters set by Bronco Racing. The monocoque geometry was modeled using SolidWorks and the carbon composite was simulated, tested, and verified using ANSYS and quasi-static load frame testing. The newly designed 2021 monocoque chassis …


Design Of A Carbon Fiber Composite Monocoque Chassis For A Formula Style Vehicle, Mitchell Hiller Apr 2020

Design Of A Carbon Fiber Composite Monocoque Chassis For A Formula Style Vehicle, Mitchell Hiller

Honors Theses

Western Michigan University’s Formula SAE team, Bronco Racing, designs and manufactures a formula-style vehicle to compete annually at an international collegiate design and racing competition. In order to remain competitive, Bronco Racing required a lighter chassis for the 2021 vehicle. To achieve this, the full 2020 carbon fiber monocoque chassis system was redesigned to be lightweight while considering packaging constraints, the Formula SAE rules, and design parameters set by Bronco Racing. The monocoque geometry was modeled using SolidWorks and the carbon composite was simulated, tested, and verified using ANSYS and quasi-static load frame testing. The newly designed 2021 monocoque chassis …