86459 - Powertrain Design and Manufacturing

Learning outcomes

The aims of the course are to provide the knowledge, the methods and the tools useful for the correct design and verification of the mechanical powertrain components, such as, the gear transmissions, the belt transmissions, the power connection elements and their materials. At the end of the course the students will be able, for example, to select the most appropriate type of mechanical connections or transmission system

Course contents

Introduction to the powertrain components.

Driving belts: flat belts, trapezoidal belts and timing belts.

The rotating disk theory.

The shaft hub couplings: press-fit shrink-fit, taper-fit, tongue-fit and spline hole/shaft.

Gears transmissions and their design.

Readings/Bibliography

Robert C. Juvinall - Kurt M. Marshek “Machine Component Design”, 5th Edition Wiley

Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design (McGraw-Hill Series in Mechanical Engineering)

Pahl G., Beitz W., Feldhusen J., Grote K.-H., [http://www.springer.com/it/book/9781846283185] - A Systematic Approach, 2007, Springer, ISBN 978-1-4471-6025-0

Ullman G.D.

“The Mechanical Design Process”

Mc Graw-Hill, 1992.

Teaching methods

The course includes theoretical and practical lectures given with the aid of multimedia systems. The didactic material is uploaded at the platform “Virtuale" (https://virtuale.unibo.it)

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning is performed through a written test and an oral test, both in presence.

The written test lasts three hours and consists of the solution of three numerical exercises, on the following topics.

1. Calculation of a shaft-hub coupling.
2. Selection and verification of gear transmission.
3. Selection and verification of a belt transmission.

During the written examination, students may consult any type of book or reference table. However, consulting previously solved exercises or past examination papers with solutions is prohibited.

Each exercise is assigned the maximum score of 10 points out of 30.

The test is passed if the overall grade (given by the sum of the partial scores) is of at least 18/30.

The oral exam aims to verify the learning of the theoretical topics covered in class and must be carried out within the three sessions scheduled for the exam session in which the written exam was taken (summer or autumn period). Taking the first available oral exam is recommended in order to be able, if necessary, to repeat the written exam.

For each exam session, students who have obtained the status of working student or student-athlete may request an alternative oral exam date (i.e., as a replacement for one of the regular exam dates in the session). Students must contact the instructor at least 14 days before the first scheduled exam in the session, so that a common date can be arranged among all received requests.

Due to the nature of the written exam, it is not possible to offer alternative or additional written exam dates.

In accordance with the University's Code of Ethics, students are reminded to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Any activity aimed at improperly altering the outcome of examinations is prohibited (e.g., copying, plagiarism, accessing online course materials, or using unauthorized AI tools in any form, including chatbots, text generators, advanced translators, content summarizers, and AI features integrated into devices).

Please note in particular that merely possessing unauthorized equipment or materials during an examination will result in the immediate invalidation of the exam and notification of the relevant university offices. Any use of AI is considered a violation of the principles of honesty and integrity set out in the University's Policy and may result in the exam being invalidated by the instructor, who remains responsible for determining the validity of the examination.

Conduct that violates this prohibition may lead to disciplinary proceedings or, where criminally relevant, reports to the competent authorities. In the latter case, the students involved may face criminal prosecution.

Teaching tools

The student acquires basic and advanced knowledge on the design and sizing of machine parts and their components dedicated to powertrain transmission

Office hours

See the website of Dario Croccolo

See the website of Mattia Mele