Evaluation of flow uniformity around automotive pinion gears during quenching∗

A. Kumar; H. Metwally; S. Paingankar; D. S. MacKenzie

doi:10.3139/105.100438

Article

Evaluation of flow uniformity around automotive pinion gears during quenching∗

A. Kumar , H. Metwally , S. Paingankar and D. S. MacKenzie

Published/Copyright: May 18, 2013

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From the journal HTM Journal of Heat Treatment and Materials Volume 62 Issue 6

Abstract

The use of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) is a powerful engineering analysis tool to reduce distortion, improve yield and to improve “first-time” quality. In this paper, CFD was used to understand quenchant flow in a quench tank, and to understand the effect of quenchant flow on part distortion. FLUENT was used to simulate the quenchant flow through a quench rack of automotive pinions. The analysis showed several locations where the flow could be improved in the quench tank, and identified regions of quenching non-uniformity on the parts. The flow on the parts was examined on the stem, the head and the overall pinion, to identify locations of suspected high distortion.

Kurzfassung

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) ist ein leistungsfähiges Werkzeug, mit dem der Verzug verringert und der Ertrag sowie die „Treffsicherheit“ einer Wärmebehandlung verbessert werden können. CFD wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit benutzt, um die Strömung des Abschreckmittels in einem Abschreckbehälter und den Einfluss der Strömung auf den Verzug von Bauteilen zu verstehen. Die Strömung durch ein Chargiergestell wurde mit FLUENT simuliert. Die Analyse ergab mehrere Stellen im Abschreckbehälter, an denen die Strömung verbessert werden könnte und zeigte Bereiche auf den Teilen an, die ungleichmäßig abgeschreckt wurden. Die Umströmung wurde am Schaft, am Kopf und am Ritzel insgesamt untersucht, um Bereiche zu finden, an denen großer Verzug zu befürchten ist.

^∗Lecture held at the 5^th Int. Conf. on Quenching and Control of Distortion and the European Conf. on Heat Treatment, 25–27 April 2007 in Berlin.

Ashwini Kumar, Hossam Metwally, Swapnil Paingankar: ANSYS, Inc., 1007 Church St. #250, Evanston, IL 60201, ak@fluent.com

D. Scott MacKenzie: Houghton International, Inc., Madison and Van Buren Ave., Valley Forge, PA 19426, smackenzie@houghtonintl.com

References

1. MacKenzie, D. S.; Kumar, A.; Metwally, H.: Optimizing Agitation and Quench Uniformity using CFD. Proc. 23^rd ASM Heat Treating Society Conference, Sept. 25–28, 2005, Pittsburgh/Pa., USA, Herring, D. (Ed.), ASM Int., 2006, p. 271–278Search in Google Scholar

2. MacKenzie, D. S.; ZhichaoLi; Ferguson, B. L.: Effect of Quenchant Flow on the Distortion of Carburized Automotive Pinion Gears. Proc. 5^th Int. Conf. on Quenching and Control of Distortion and Europ. Conf. on Heat Treatment 2007, April 25–27, 2007, Berlin, Grosch, J.; Kleff, J.; Luebben, Th. (Eds.); AWT, Bremen, 2007, p. 119–129Search in Google Scholar

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Published Online: 2013-05-18

Published in Print: 2007-12-01

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https://doi.org/10.3139/105.100438