Abstract
In this study, a flexible multi-body dynamic simulation model of a knuckle boom crane is developed to evaluate the stress of spindle and rack gears under dynamic working conditions. It is difficult to predict potential critical damage to a knuckle boom crane if only the static condition is considered during the development process. To solve this issue, a severe working scenario (high speed with heavy load) was simulated as a boundary condition for testing the integrity of the dynamic simulation model. The crane gear model is defined as a flexible body so contact analysis was performed. The functional motion of a knuckle boom crane is generated by applying forces at each end of the rack gear, which was converted from hydraulic pressure measured for the experiment. The bending and contact stress of gears are theoretically calculated to validate the simulation model. In the simulation, the maximum stress of spindle and rack gears are observed when the crane abruptly stops. Peak impact force is produced at the contact interface between pinion and rack gears due to the inertia force of the boom. However, the maximum stress (bending/contact) of spindle and rack are under the yield stress, which is safe from damage. By using the developed simulation model, the experiment process is expected to be minimized.
