Determination of process limits for the reconditioning of worn-out gear wheels by precision postforming at elevated temperatures

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Arno Behrens
• Subject Area: Primary Shaping and Reshaping Technology, Additive Manufacturing
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 319564414

Within the planned project, the process limits for reconditioning of worn-out gears in a closed die by precision postforming at elevated temperatures shall be determined.A contribution to the reduction caused by the steel production pollution can be achieved in the manufacture of gears on an innovative process chain. Worn-out gears should be used after their maturity by precision postforming and a subsequent hard finishing for another life cycle. The change from steel recycling toward the gear recycling allows the substitution of energy- and resource-consuming production of steel and also the individual process steps of the raw forging.The aim of this research project is to determine deformation limits for precision postforming of worn-out gears. For this to occur in the deployment causes of failure of gears, such as wear, pitting and tooth fracture will be produced. Subsequently, the precision postforming at elevated temperatures in the closed die have to be carried out under consideration deformation process parameters. Furthermore, the influence of a non-homogeneous heating of the worn-out gears before the postforming on the flow of material and the forming limits are examined. This research project is to be analysed on the basis of process-oriented basic research, whether worn-out gears can be recycled in the closed die forming technology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants