Optimization of Friction Behavior Characteristics by Coating with Solid Lubricants

Increasing the lifetime of machine elements whose operation involves the development of friction processes and diminishing energy losses by friction can be achieved by using solid lubricants. In this regard, a method applied to improve the friction behavior of machine elements is electrostatic coating of the surfaces of interest with polyester layers that include particles of solid lubricants, such as molybdenum disulfide or graphite. Experimental research was conducted to highlight the influence of normal force, the concentration of solid lubricant particles in polyester, and specific sliding between surfaces involved in the friction process on the deposited layer’s lifetime and on the friction coefficient. Grey analysis was employed to identify sets of input factors that would lead to the most convenient values of the lifetime and energy friction losses when using polyester layers that incorporate molybdenum or graphite particles. Specialized software was elaborated in a MATLAB environment to use the grey relational analysis in identifying the optimal values of the process input factors for distinct weights of the output parameters.

Optimization of Parameters of a Planetary Gearbox Using the Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis

Optimization of parameters of central gears of a planetary gearbox was performed in this study. Since the optimization of multi-performance characteristics is more complex compared to optimization of a single-performance characteristics, the Taguchi-Grey analysis was used. That approach combines the Taguchi orthogonal array L27 with the Grey relational analysis to determine the influence of the material, module and gear width on the safety coefficient of the planetary gearbox. A Grey relational grade obtained from the Grey relational analysis is used as the performance characteristics in the Taguchi method and Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal combination of parameters for the safety coefficient values was obtained, when the value of the Grey relational grade is 1. Based on the ANOVA analysis, it was established that the most influential parameter is the module, then the gear width and the least influential one is the material.