Analyzing Methodology for Rapid Assessment of the Cylindrical Gearbox Operability

Critical comments are presented regarding the theoretical foundations of four criteria known from 1970s used in the design of cylindrical gearboxes. Using current statistics, a methodology for rapid assessment of gearbox operability based on these criteria was tested. The aim of the study was to assess the applicability of this methodology today, when speeds and transmitted loads have increased significantly, and CAE applications are widely used for optimizing gearboxes. The study was carried out by comparing the parameters of modern gearboxes, calculated using this methodology, with their maximum permissible values recommended more than 50 years ago. A sample of 11 gearboxes from well-known manufacturers and one gearbox considered as an example in the Russian standard GOST 21354–87 was used. It is shown that only one of the criteria considered corresponds 100% to the current statistics, and others require clarification. For further use, the methodology based on these criteria needs to be tested on more representative statistics and, possibly, refined taking into account modern concepts of teeth contact.