Numerical stress analysis of cardan joint for agricultural machinery

Abstract

Agricultural working machine are driven mainly by tractors. The drive transmission from the tractor to the working machine is carried out using a cardan joint. During the exploitation, or more accurate during the work, depending on what the working machine is intended for, the shaft axis’s movement between the drive and the working machine occurs or the appearance of greater work resistance. Under such operating conditions, higher stresses occurred. However, it is expected that in the extreme conditions of exploitation will be reliable. The main aim of this paper is to show stresses that occur during the operation using FEM analysis. Also, the application of modern materials for the production of cardan joints, such as structural steel, aluminium 6061-T6, Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb and E Glass Polyester Resin Composite are presented in the paper, and a comparison with cardan joints that are made of conventional materials, or more accurate that are made from steel is performed.