Effect of Skin Depth on Hardness Profile of Gear Heated by Induction Using 2D Model

This work is carried principally by simulation efforts using computer-modeling software (COMSOL). The developed 2D model includes the coupling between electromagnetic and thermal fields, and takes account of the nonlinear behaviour of material properties versus temperature. Several steps were followed to reach this goal. First, a 2D finite element model of a gear was developed in order to simulate the induced currents density and temperature distributions for various frequencies and external currents applied in the coil. Second, the temperature profiles were compared using the ratio between the skin depth and the teeth height. In geometry cases, it was possible to dose the power level of the medium (MF) and high (HF) frequencies to reach a desired uniform case depth. The MF and HF powers are simulated sequentially in order to better concentrate heat in the tooth tip and root of gear. The obtained results help process developers to select the proper parameters for the induction machine in order to achieve the desired hardness profile.