#FEA #MBD #CAD #StressAnalysis #PerformanceEvaluation #DesignIterations #Automotive

Our client from the automotive industry approached us to assist in the evaluation of  an innovative, patented design of a chain drive primarily for bikes and motorcycles. Although they had developed a promising and potentially disruptive novel design of a chain, they were finding difficult to assess its performance and compare it to current market competitors.

​

We recommended an evaluation protocol that initially involved some simplified 2D FEA analyses to assess the structural performance of the assembly, estimate fatigue life and quickly go through design iterations and finalise the first design that would be prototype.

​

At a second stage, we developed further the evaluation protocol to include advanced non-linear dynamic 3D FEA and MBD analyses to evaluate wear of all components, fatigue life and power transmission efficiency. We also used the same protocol to assess existing designs and key competitors.

​

Through this close collaboration that lasted for almost a year, our client improved their design, validated their technology's superior performance, increased the number of potential applications, and moved faster towards commercialisation.