Abstract
A program, written in Turbo-Prolog, was developed to provide a quick and accurate design tool for a compound gear train. The program was based on the expert system methods of backward chaining/ depth first for solution search, fuzzy logic for uncertainty and solution priority, blackboard for opportunistic control of the pc memory space.
After initial input of needed information, the system will advise the user some of default design parameters such as the gear module, tooth number, safety factor., et al., by a friendly interactive explanatory facility. The program will then select a suitable material based on the design criteria-bending stress, wearing stress, and material fatigue strength. An optimal solution is then suggested based on the desired design constraints. This package can be used in either an English or a Chinese operating environment.
Three examples: lathe gearbox, helical gear set, five speed transmission were illustrated and validated. The program performed the same or compatible solutions to the recommended data in the examples.