Gears & Geared Drives
- Epicyclic Gearboxes
- Gear Distress
- Gear Failure Analysis & Diagnostics
- Gear Metallurgy
- Helical Gears
- Spur Gears
Epicyclic Gearboxes
PE has particular expertise in troubleshooting and evaluating the performance of single and multiple stage epicyclic gearboxes. Our capabilities, encompass...
- Gear Design
- Tribology Lubrication
- Measurements of Vibrations & Alignment, and
- Metallurgy.
PE can formulate comprehensive specifications and system modifications to ensure high reliability and availability of our Clients' epicyclic gearboxes. In fact, a recent project resulted in extending the life of a set of underdesigned large gearboxes from 3.5 to more than 10 years. However, the exact number of extended years is unknown since there have not been any failures since the implementation of our modifications.
Gear Distress
PE has the forensic capabilities to properly and accurately diagnose the following symptoms of gearbox fatigue.
Macropitting
The diagnosis can be supplemented with analytical evaluation and where possible, PE provides recommendations on how to improve system parameters to prolong life and reduce macropitting potential.
Micropitting White & Gray Staining
Diagnosis can be supplemented with analytical evaluation. PE can provide Clients with recommendations on how to improve system parameters to prolong life and reduce micropitting risk. PE team members are actively involved in AGMA committees tasked with investigating and researching the basic science driving the phenomenon of micropitting.
Spalling, Contact Fatigue & Hertzian Stress
The diagnosis can be supplemented with analytical evaluation and where PE can provide Clients with recommendations on how to improve system parameters to prolong life and reduce risk of fatigue failures.
Gear Failure Analysis & Diagnostics
PE has vast experience in the analysis and forensic diagnosis of failed gears. Analytical methods employed include state of the art, AGMA sanctioned, gear rating computer programs and finite element modeling software. PE has full laboratory facilities, including SEM, EDX and high magnification microscopy, as well as excellent digital photography capabilities. Our team has over 80 man years of failure analysis experience, encompassing the entire range of tribological specialties, such that system problems can be identified and solved in a comprehensive manner.
Gear Metallurgy
PE has full laboratory facilities and expertise necessary to comprehensively evaluate the suitability of gear materials for service. Capabilities include SEM, EDX, optical microscopy, micro and macro hardness testing, case and temper evaluation, etc. Evaluation extends to type and suitability of heat treatment, specified and achieved microstructure, and case hardness process where applicable.
Helical Gears
PE employs state of the art analytical software to evaluate the bending and fatigue life of helical gears under any conditions identified in AGMA Standard 2001/2101. OEM manufacturing and quality control practices can be appraised, audited and/or specified to ensure Clients receive suitable, long lasting, helical gears.
Spur Gears
PE employs state of the art analytical software to evaluate the bending and fatigue life of spur gears under any conditions identified in AGMA Standard 2001/2101. OEM manufacturing and quality control practices can be appraised, audited and/or specified to ensure Clients receive suitable, long lasting, spur gears.