Machine Elements

Basic functions of machines and machine elements and their mechanical integrity. This includes, but not limited to:

• Fatigue design: including Wöhler curve and Haigh/Smith diagrams, Fatigue limit, Reduction factors, Stress concentrations, Multi-axial stresses, Spectrum fatigue lifetime.
• Machine and rotor dynamics: Spring supported machines, critical speed/rpm, static and dynamic balancing.
• Mechanisms and transmissions: Mechanics of the screw, gears.
• Couplings and brakes: Disc break (evenly distributed pressure and wear), drum brake (internal and external), fixed and releaseable couplings.
• Bearings: roller bearings, bearing design, life time assessment.
• Springs: torsion, coil, leaf, ring and rubber springs.
• Press and shrink-fit connections: deformation of thick-walled tubes, tolerances and fits.
• Bolts: threads, load carrying capacity, pretension, tightening/torque moment, bolt diagram.
• Welded joints: static and fatigue analyses.

Knowledge: The student has knowledge of:

• Machine elements and their design, functional principles, mechanisms, and integration in machinery.
• The functions of some common machine elements and the solution of design and engineering problems associated with these.
• How to establish structural and dynamics models for mechanical behavior with basis in subsystem or component.
• The application of design criteria for different (mechanical) functional and design requirements for various machine elements and components.
• Choice of reasonable design and engineering solutions with basis in basic understanding of mechanical behavior and design criteria.

Technical skills: The student shall master the following:

• Apply knowledge from basic courses such as mathematics, physics, mechanics, statics, (strength of) materials to evaluate, design and engineer real components/machine elements.
• Simplify basic machine systems into representative models for mechanical analysis.
• Perform simple predictions, providing a basis for more effective and right evaluation of critical factors and issues associated with (design) robustness of machine components.
• Provide the necessary competence to carefully evaluate results obtained by more advanced numerical analysis methods such as FEM.

General competence: The student shall on general basis understand:

• Main steps and considerations included in a design process for machine elements. - Understand on general basis reasonable, sound design principles for selected machine components.
• General design and engineering principles for machine elements subjected to static and dynamic loads.
• On an independent basis capture knowledge of more complex machine elements and design and engineering principles.

Lectures, demonstrations, exercises.