Design of interference fits via finite element method

Studies of interference fits in ring gear-wheel connections show that the traditional design method based on thick-wall cylinder theory has some limitations. Application of the finite element method (FEM) for the three-dimensional stress analysis of interference fitted connections gives more complete and accurate results than the traditional method. An improved design method utilizes two safety factors, lambda(s) and lambda(p), providing a new approach for evaluating the quality of interference fits. A tolerancing method utilizing the I-max and I-min curves provides a quantitative guideline for interference fit design. The selective assembly method combined with the FEM-based method for interference fit design provides an effective approach to achieve more reliable interference-fitted connections and more precise assembly with lower manufacturing cost. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.