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Automated Planetary Gearbox Design Tool

FSAE 2026 - Drivetrain Engineering & Automation

Project Overview

MATLAB tool that sweeps hundreds of gear ratio combinations for compound planetary stages, calculating stresses, identifying hunting ratios, and optimizing diameter for the UT26 AWD drivetrain. Supports variable modules across multi-stage designs for rapid optimization.

MATLAB Gearbox Optimization Results

Automated sweep results showing optimal gear ratio combinations

Key Features:
  • Automated sweep through hundreds of ratio combinations
  • Stress analysis (bending & contact) for all configurations
  • Hunting ratio detection for even wear distribution
  • Diameter optimization with multi-stage support
  • Variable module capability for optimized packaging
Technologies Used:
MATLAB Gear Design Theory Stress Analysis Hunting Ratios Planetary Gearboxes Multi-stage Optimization

Comprehensive Sweep Results

Excel Gearbox Sweep Results

Detailed Excel spreadsheet showing hundreds of evaluated gear configurations with stress analysis, hunting ratios, and diameter calculations

Design Considerations

Hunting Ratios

Teeth with no common factors ensure even wear distribution. Tool automatically identifies optimal combinations.

Stress Analysis

Calculates bending (Lewis) and contact (Hertzian) stresses to ensure all configurations meet safety requirements.

Planetary Benefits

High torque density and compact packaging critical for AWD FSAE applications.

Module Variation

Variable tooth sizes across stages optimize load distribution and packaging.

Impact

⚡ Rapid Iteration

Reduced design time from weeks to hours through automation.

🎯 Optimized Result

Optimal hunting ratios and minimum package size for AWD drivetrain.

Technical Achievements

This automated design tool significantly accelerated the drivetrain development process by eliminating manual calculation iterations and enabling comprehensive design space exploration.

  • Evaluated 500+ gear ratio combinations in under 5 minutes
  • Identified optimal hunting ratio configurations for even wear distribution
  • Minimized package diameter while maintaining structural integrity
  • Enabled multi-stage optimization with variable tooth modules
  • Generated detailed stress analysis reports for all valid configurations

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