Effect of fine particle peening on surface integrity of flexspline in harmonic drive

Abstract

High-performance precision gear drives such as harmonic gear have high requirements on tooth profile accuracy, surface quality, fatigue life and other service performance characteristics, which urgently needs an effective surface strengthening method. This work aims to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of fine particle peening (FPP) treatment on surface integrity of flexspline in harmonic drive precision transmission. To this end, FPP process experiments were carried out, and this process was simulated based on a coupling method of discrete element method and finite element method (DEM-FEM) considering the kinematic hardening behavior of the material. The simulation results were in good agreement with the test results. Effects of shot peening pressure, injection velocity, material properties and tooth profile on surface roughness and induced residual stress of the target flexspline were analyzed. The results reveal that after FPP, the amplitude of residual compressive stress of the flexspline can reach 470 MPa, and the surface roughness Sa becomes approximately 0.5 μm. For precision gears with low hardness such as flexspline in harmonic drive, it is suggested to adopt FPP with low air pressure to achieve both saturated residual compressive stress and lower surface roughness, thus benefitting enhanced fatigue life.