Thompson couplings has used Autodesk Inventor software to develop a coupling that addresses a longstanding engineering challenge. The design reduces engineering problems associated with traditional couplings - such as loss of power, vibration, increased wear and machine damage - giving it the potential to benefit a wide range of applications, from truck transmissions to helicopter rotary blades.
Since the mid 1600s, engineers have attempted to build a coupling capable of transmitting power from one shaft to another at constant velocity without any load-bearing sliding surfaces. The Thompson coupling accomplishes this goal.
Products in the inventor line enabled Thompson to digitally visualise, simulate and analyse coupling design data before anything was actually built, which helped to streamline the product development process.
It is unlikely that Thompson’s innovation would have been possible without the advantages of digital prototyping. A digital prototype is a simulation of a product that integrates conceptual, engineering and mechanical design data in a single digital model.
By using 3D digital models, Thompson was easily able to perform various tests and analyses, including load calculations. Digital prototyping enabled the company to iterate on the design until engineers achieved the proper product dimensions and properties - all without the time and costs associated with creating and modifying physical prototypes.
Thompson estimates that by using the software, it was able to accomplish its design goals two to three times faster than if engineers had relied solely on 2D means. In addition, Thompson was able to reduce production of physical prototypes by 40%.