Design and Manufacturing of Crankshaft Main Bearing Runout Inspection Machine

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to design and fabricate a Crankshaft Inspection Machine. It serves as a proof of concept for later versions to be designed for Tractor OEM. The machine will be able to measure runout of main journals of two crankshafts:3-cylinder and 4-cylinder. The runout is measured by rotating crankshaft and using a LVDT that takes the readings over defined intervals. Machine uses two dead centers for mounting the crankshaft and a servo motor attached via belt to rotate the crankshaft. One LVDT probes is utilized to take the readings with an accuracy of 1 micron. The accuracy and precision requirements are specified by the manufacturing drawings provided by the OEM. The design of machine components is dictated by the dimensional constraints rather than stress and loading conditions since most components are stationary and have light in weight components to hold. It is mainly due to innovative arrangement that allows tangent contact to the main bearing surface and the LVDT is not in direct contact with the main bearing which is not common in precision industry.