Analysis of a flexible web on a grooved concave surface under softEHL

This article describes characteristics of a flexible web moving through a grooved, concave, and soft surface in an elastohydrodynamic lubrication. Both trapezoidal and semi-elliptical grooved surfaces have been investigated under air lubrication. The modified Reynolds equation based on the first-order boundary slip and permeability of a soft bearing material has been formulated and solved numerically to obtain a traction characteristics between a polypropylene web and a grooved concave surface in the contact region. The concave shape was mainly considered under varying depths of grooves, flexible web velocities, normal loads, equivalent Young’s moduli, curvatures and material permeability values. The simulation results are compared between friction coefficient for a trapezoidal grooved concave surface and a semi-elliptical grooved surface.

Research highlights► The modified Reynolds equation was formulated and solved with air permeability and boundary slips. ► The friction characteristics of a web moving over a grooved concave surface were investigated. ► The paper presents how to minimize the friction between a web and a soft concave surface bearing. ► The grooved surface and air-permeability were implemented to control the friction of a web system.