A complete virtual image of drive trains and transmissions is only possible if transmission, Rolling- and gear specialists can digitally link their simulation models with each other. Therefore, cross-company and cross-system data exchange is one of the most important prerequisites for generating Digital Twins. Schaeffler and SEW have created such a data exchange.

However, several specialized software and CAE tools have established themselves on the market for the design and simulation of gearboxes. Each of these programs has its specific focus. The problem: The transmission data is exchanged between manufacturers and their suppliers often still manually and leads to costly duplication of work.

Plug-and-play gearbox kit for cobots and service robotics

Schaeffler has now carried out this manual data exchange between the CAE tools together with SEW-Eurodrive and the VAF (Research Association for Drive Technology eV) replaced by electronic data transmission using a standardized interface for transmission data. This eliminates the need for multiple modeling of gearboxes. This reduces development times enormously and creates the basis for generating digital twins, which can be used, for example, to analyze operating data as part of Industry 4.0 solutions.

Standardized data format

The REXS Version 1.1 of the format called Reusable Engineering Exchange Standard offers a uniform modeling and nomenclature for any gearbox with spur gear, bevel gear and planetary stages as well as its components. REXS is currently integrated in the FVA Workbench from version 5.0, in the Schaeffler rolling bearing analysis tool “Bearinx” in the current versions and in the gear calculation program “Wesilab” from SEW. Even providers of commercial CAE tools have already implemented the REXS interface or are planning to introduce it with the next release. A REXS file is simply created from the gearbox models with a click of the mouse.

Gear calculation for gears with background graphic

Schaeffler is now offering the automated exchange of transmission data using the REXS interface. Users receive calculation results much more quickly Bearinx and thus significantly accelerate your development process. Stephan Evert, Head of Bearing Analysis Tools Development in Schaeffler's R&D Bearings division, emphasizes the advantages: “With the help of REXS, we can reduce the effort for the software-technical coupling of CAE tools and simulations and at the same time simplify the IT architectures ", and further: "REXS can be used by the transmission industry as a standardized data container for the generation of digital twins."

Accelerated application development 

Gearbox manufacturers with a large share of customer-specific application development benefit greatly from digitalized data exchange with their suppliers. “The goal is to be able to use different systems with their own calculation focuses efficiently and effectively,” says Dr. Heinrich Bolz, Head of Calculation and Simulation in Gear Development at SEW-Eurodrive and explains the open source project: “With REXS, gear data can be transmitted quickly and error-free. The interface therefore makes a significant contribution to optimizing our innovation process.”

Measuring torque with sensors inside the transmission

The REXS interface is license-free at www.rexs.info. There you will also find all other information about the current and future development. At the Schaeffler booth, visitors can see for themselves how easily the data models can be exchanged between CAE tools.

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