Engaging various applications, plastic gears find widespread use in scenarios ranging from opening the sunroof in your car and administering insulin in medical devices to aligning solar panels in satellites and propelling toy cars with small gearboxes. Plastic materials often emerge as a viable alternative to steel due to their lightweight nature, effective damping properties, and cost-effectiveness in mass production.

The strength of plastic gears is heavily contingent on their temperature, adding complexity to the determination of material properties compared to steel gears. This process involves measuring properties at different temperatures, requiring considerable time and effort.

In KISSsoft, a remarkable selection of 97 plastic materials is available for the calculation of cylindrical and crossed-axis helical gears. This extensive range encompasses unreinforced POMs and PAs, as well as high-performance reinforced and internally lubricated materials. Covering properties outlined in VDI 2545 and VDI 2736, crucial for strength, wear, and vibration analysis, these plastics enable calculations following VDI methods. Additionally, KISSsoft facilitates analyses using contact analysis, “Pech” wear calculation, and tooth root form optimization through FEM.

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