Simulation of transient friction of a cylinder between two planes

Abstract

The need for good friction models for transient motions has increased as a consequence of the increased use of mechatronics and control engineering principles in precision mechanics. The machine elements in such equipment often involve rolling and sliding contacts. Most studies of friction in rolling and sliding contacts running under dry or boundary lubricated conditions have examined steady-state conditions. This paper describes simulations of the motion of a cylinder between two planes, first with a step change in velocity and then with an oscillating motion of the upper plane. The motion of the cylinder is determined by the friction in the contacts and the inertia. The friction in the rolling and sliding contacts is simulated with a brush model. The surfaces are assumed to be ideally smooth. For the step change in velocity, there is initially a period of complete sliding in the upper contact. During the sliding period, the friction force is the maximum possible, but it decreases as the complete sliding ends. The simulations show heavily damped oscillations, with frequencies corresponding to the natural translatory and torsional frequencies of the system. For the oscillating motions the sliding increases with the frequency of the motion, as expected.