Crafting Cost-Effective and Reliable Machine Shaft: A Design and Finite Element Analysis Approach for Fatigue Life Prediction

Abstract

To avoid future occurrences and improve the performance of the component structure, it is crucial for materials engineers to identify the reason why a machine component failed. The parameters of machine shaft fatigue life are investigated in this study. A plastic deformation analysis of the nut cracking machine shaft was granted. The most safe and cost-effective design of a machine shaft was proposed. A shaft's 3D model was created in Solidworks using absolute coordinates. The commercial finite element analysis (FEA) and calculations results are compared to previous results obtained by other methods. The analysis of 12 mm shaft diameters under maximum torque of 25.0 Nm yields a factor of safety of 10, whereas the 8 mm shaft diameter yields a factor of safety of 2. This will provide designers with guidelines for forecasting the design of a machine shaft's fatigue strength.