Modular Drivetrains for Increased Performance and Reliability

This paper introduces the concept of modularity as an assembly of multiple, duplicated modules, where each module is a unique set of components. An industrial application, based on the weaving system, is simplified and modeled in a Matlab toolchain. A benchmark case is defined and then compared to an innovative modular architecture. Simulation results prove an improvement in the production rate (machine rpm) of 9.52% and the reliability of the system is also increased as the machine can continue operation in case of a single or multiple module failure(s). The innovative architecture performs as well or even better than the benchmark case under a single unit failure situation. The scalability is ensured by the automated simulation and design process and architectures can be quickly researched, tested and compared.