Design of Crankshafts by the Finite Element Method

The paper presents a method for providing design information on crankshafts. The first half of the paper discusses a generalized crankshaft modeling program. The purpose of the modeling program is to generate 3D finite element models of crankshafts with the input of a few key dimensions. The major problem with developing such a routine is discussed along with the method used to solve this problem. The second half of the paper presents results generated from finite element models that were created by the generalized crankshaft modeling program. These results are from parametric studies in which the journal lengths, journal diameters, crankpin fillet radius and cheek thickness were changed and show how each parameter affects crankshaft stresses.