Technology for Gearboxes Designed for Test Bed Applications

For more than 20 years our teams realize speed increasers and speed reducers under the brand name "ACMI". These high-speed turbo gearboxes are part of the SPIDAL series.

The practiced technologies reply on traditions of Quality and High Precision, in particular concerning the tooth flank corrections. All internal calculation programs have been developed and cross checked with experience, and compared to external programs.

TOOTHING

The optimization is achieved through a computerized calculation process based upon AGMA, ISO, DIN or AFNOR standards.

The single helical gear technology replies on tooth longitudinal and profile corrections. It leads to ratios up to 8 to 1 per stage and a grinding accuracy reaching ISO level 3 (AGMA 13).

ROLLER BEARINGS

Thanks to a close collaboration with the biggest roller bearings manufacturers, the Maag Franc's specialists designed their gearboxes with roller bearings up to a speed of 60,000 rpm.

The design staff has a specific computer program for these applications.

CASINGS

Welded steel casing technology allows optimization of the center distance from 50 to 1000 mm, and leads to gearboxes strictly adapted to customer requirements. In particular the casing may include the oil tank or may be integrated to the driving or the driven machine.

In special cases a Finite Element Calculation can be performed.

LUBRICATION

Lube oil supply is provided by a separate lube oil system. Lube oil pump can be mechanically driven and fitted on to the gearbox or driven by a separate electric motor. Oil supply is used to lubricate the toothing and bearings and to evacuate calories through a cooling system.

STANDARDS

All gearboxes are designed to comply with the most stringent rules and standards including API 677 depending on specific customer requirements.

VIBRATION-NOISE

The use of lateral and torsional Critical Speed Analysis software 

Vibration-Noise

The use of lateral and torsional Critical Speed Analysis software enables to avoid resonances and to minimize the sound level generated by the toothing.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM

A quality assurance system based on the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard embraces all activities. It relies on the experience acquired thanks to military and space activities.

TESTS

The guaranty of performances is achieved by the most stringent requirements at all stages of engineering and manufacturing.

As off ACMI gearboxes, the increasing gears are tested on our test bed. The tests are made, if necessary, under API standard. Our facilities are equipped with cooling system, oil filtration and safety oil tank. Vibrations are analyzed on each shaft with a specific report. Sound is measured with Bruel et Kjaer device. Oil flows at nominal pressure are recorded.

Efficiency can also be measured by using a torque meter or by calibration of the electric motor and accessories. Carrying out the necessary tests needs well known and field approved measuring equipment such as vibration probes and temperature detectors. The Accuracy of the manufacturing and the Quality of the engineering and assembly lead to high efficiency close to 99%.

APPLICATIONS

The ACMI gearboxes are used to many machine configurations. The main applications for these drives are high-speed Turbomachinery.

Common application fields are:

MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS

• For railways and aircraft industries.

AUTOMOTIVE

•  High-speed gears ACMI are installed on test beds for applications such as: electrical car, Formula 1 engines, truck transmissions.

RAILWAYS

• Gearboxes are integrated in traction motor test beds with a possibility of speed changes.

AERONAUTICS

• The test beds for generators, kerosene pump, are equipped with ACMI high-speed gearboxes in different versions with many output shafts. To test the performances of future compressors, ACMI have developed a system with two combined stages: one on roller bearings, the other one on journal bearings.

SPECIAL GEARS

• Great design flexibility and strong manufacturing organization lead to rapid adaptation of the whole ACMI SPIDAL series to customer requirements.
• In particular they can be adapted to specific center distance, base plate or interfaces. In such cases the ACMI gearboxes can easily replace obsolete gearboxes and are of great interest for revamping jobs when rating speed or power is modified.
• Great design flexibility allows integration of driven machine parts but also the lube oil system and all kind of special fittings or provisions for instrumentation and monitoring.