Shaft Step Stress Concentration
Shaft Step Stress Concentration
(OP)
I am working on the design of an output shaft for a gearbox and need some input about a type of fillet for the step between two different diameters.
I know the general rule is to use as large of fillet as practical, but some time ago I ran across a design that actually plunged into the smaller diameter then went straight up the face to the larger diameter.
This was supposed to be better than just a fillet in the 90 deg. step.
Does anyone have experience with this practice and is it the better way to go?
Best regards, David
I know the general rule is to use as large of fillet as practical, but some time ago I ran across a design that actually plunged into the smaller diameter then went straight up the face to the larger diameter.
This was supposed to be better than just a fillet in the 90 deg. step.
Does anyone have experience with this practice and is it the better way to go?
Best regards, David





RE: Shaft Step Stress Concentration
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RE: Shaft Step Stress Concentration
The under cut I saw came in at a slight angle as it approached the step, and then left the radius. Not quite a "full" groove.
Actually this design was shown to me by someone at a major electric motor company and he said that this practice all but eliminated failures.
RE: Shaft Step Stress Concentration
thread2-106261.
What do you think?
RE: Shaft Step Stress Concentration
The stress concentration will be at a minimum when using a large radius. The groove feature that you mentioned is better than a sharp corner, but not as good as a large radius. It is used when a radius cannot be accommodated, due to a bearing sitting on the face of the larger diameter portion, etc.
RE: Shaft Step Stress Concentration
Gearboxes and PTO's often use these to define a break point if there is gong to be one.
Step downs are also used at the end of splines. The jury is still out as to whether a step down is better or worse than spline groove ends.