Numerical Running-In Method for Modifying Cylindrical Roller Profile Under Mixed Lubrication of Finite Line Contacts

A numerical method for modifying cylindrical roller profile was proposed to smooth axial pressure distributions of finite line contacts under the mixed lubrication regime. The mixed lubrication model, in which the Reynolds equation modified by Patir and Cheng has been solved with implementing the rough surface contact model of Kogut and Etsion for the stochastic solution of hydrodynamic pressure and asperity-contact pressure, was established and it is validated by the comparison between simulation results and experiments. Some common roller profiles were carried into the mixed lubrication model and obvious increment of pressure appears near the roller ends or at the central contact area. A numerical running-in method was developed to smooth pressure shapes and the crown drop of roller profile was modified gradually implementing Archard's wear law, where a higher asperity-contact pressure leads to a larger crown drop on a roller profile. The results of the numerical running-in method indicated that pressure distributions of finite line contacts are uniform if the optimized roller profile is employed.