Advanced Virtual Simulation - The Key to System Understanding for Drive Train Applications

One of the engineering challenges is to design the optimal bearing arrangement that will meet a balance of cost and project requirements. In order to increase performance, durability and efficiency the use of advanced virtual simulation can match these commitments in a fast and safe way. In a design approach it must be considered that the best rolling bearing will fail in the best application, when both systems are not adapted to each other. The key for getting this is to understanding the complete system by virtual simulation and not only to specify a rolling bearing. Based on the system understanding, boundary conditions can be better defined all relevant influences are considered and design variations can be fast made to perform the system. Using sophisticated CAE - tools this paper will present how systems, drive trains and rolling bearings can be investigated by virtual simulation in a different abstraction levels. Additional focus is the reduction of CO2 by friction optimized rolling bearings.