Effectiveness of cutout pattern and position on distortion of driven sprocket during heat treatment process

Abstract

Distortion during a hardening process increases the production costs significantly. The problem is even worse with the presence of weight reduction cut-outs of various shapes and sizes in the sprocket. The study of cutout patterns and positions is necessary for optimal design in which a minimum weight with a tolerable teeth bottom runout can be achieved. In this paper, cutouts having a different pattern, size and position have been studied. The study reveals the effect of the cutouts on the distortion of the sprocket during a heat treatment process. The finite element method, incorporating an elastic-plastic constitutive model, the phase transformation and temperature-dependent material properties, is used. The conclusions drawn from this study can guide in the selection of cutout patterns and positions during sprocket design.