Reduction in Synchronizer Ring Wear and Improving the Cone Torque Generation by Enhancing the Lapping Operation Using Statistical Technique

Abstract

In automotive manual transmission gearboxes, the synchronizer rings play a vital role in gear shift operations. The efficiency of the synchronizer ring depends upon the frictional surface geometry. The critical parameter is the synchronizer ring frictional surface circularity. The circularity deviation causes higher synchronizer ring wear and poor cone torque generation. With the current manufacturing methods and the thickness of the synchronizer ring, circularity improvement is a challenge. The synchronizer ring thread turned part is lapped to improve the circularity. Reduction in circularity can be improved by optimizing the lapping operation. In this work, an optimal lapping condition was developed using statistical methods. Taguchi DOE was used to analyze the different parameter combinations along with the noise parameter – different ranges of circularity variation in turning operation. This helps to find the best lapping parameter settings to improve the reduction in circularity. This proposed lapping parameter setting was also confirmed for the circularity improvement by means of process capability comparison with existing settings. With the proposed lapping process, the circularity improvement is achieved without affecting the manufacturing time and cost.