News
Jan 12, 2010: Calculations for Gear Shift 
Conventional vehicle gearboxes include a gear shifting mechanism which can be constructed with several different methods (sliding gears, constant mesh, synchromesh, multi-disc clutching etc.).
The synchronization procedure can be analyzed using the internal script language of KISSsys and standard calculations. For this purpose, the procedure of a Borg-Warner-type synchronizer - with its partial sequences - was implemented.
The KISSsys model “Synchronizer” contains the entire process with de-clutching, speed synchronization and coupling. Calculations can be performed for either the operating forces (at given synchronization time) or the required synchronization time (at given operating force). Further development will include the sizing of the synchronizer based on given forces and synchronization time.
Jan 06, 2010: Measurement over pins and balls - adapted to the effective tooth form 
When using profile modifications (e.g. profile crowning/barreling), the tooth thickness cannot be determined exactly by measurements over pins and balls when these dimensions have been calculated utilizing classical methods or the conventional formulas according to ISO 21771 or DIN 3960. This is due to the fact that the formulas assume a pure involute tooth form.
The measurement over pins and balls, applied on non-involute gear teeth, can differ significantly from the values of the standard calculation. In the past, when these measurements had to be defined for such cases, tedious manual fitting of the pin in CAD has been required.
KISSsoft now determines the pin/ball position for the calculation of measurement over pins and balls by adapting them to the effective tooth form. This method has the big advantage of being generally applicable to any tooth form - and thus to different profile modifications, if they were developed in KISSsoft. (ZY1)
Dec 17, 2009: KISSsys: Relative Position of Bevel Gears and Interface to BECAL 
For a tooth contact analysis on bevel gears, deviations of pinion and gear resulting from meshing forces and manufacturing allowances are taken into account.
KISSsys now allows the calculation of the relative position considering shaft deflection, bearing stiffness with inner geometry and housing stiffness. The calculation is possible for single-stage bevel gears as well as for multi-stage gearboxes. Hence meshing forces of adjacent spur, helical or worm gears are also included in the calculation.
In addition, an interface to BECAL is implemented, which creates the required input file for the tooth contact analysis or field calculation. This KISSsys functionality is available as a plug and play module for existing models.
Nov 30, 2009: K-Charts in KISSsoft 
With the current KISSsoft Release 08/2009, tooth flank and tooth profile diagrams (also known as K-charts) for spur and helical gears are available (ZA5). The charts are generated in accordance to ANSI/AGMA 2000-A88 and do include the modifications as defined in KISSsoft.
The K-charts are measurement diagrams, which constitute the basis of quality assurance in gear manufacturing. In the diagram, there are modification curves, reference profiles and tolerance curves. The user can show/hide single curves and determine their color as well as type of line. The measured profile must be located between the tolerance curve and the reference profile.
Nov 03, 2009: Release 08/2009 Contains Sabic Innovative Plastics 
The KISSsoft material database now incorporates material properties of 17 LNP* Specialty compounds from the SABIC Innovative Plastics portfolio for gear design. These data, provided by SABIC, are thus available for KISSsoft and include temperature-dependent values for Young's modulus, static bending strength as well as characteristic wear values at dry-run.
Especially in the medical and food industry, plastic gears often must not run with lubricant – and dry-running gears need a higher strength on the tooth flank. In these conditions wear of tooth flank constitutes the most common failure criterion.
Also, with the KISSsoft Release 08/2009, for the first time there is a calculation method available in a software package that determines the local wear on the tooth flank (see news "Calculation of Flank Wear with KISSsoft").
Oct 21, 2009: What Is Micropitting? 
If the lubricating film gets so thin that the flanks come in contact, it leads to damage on the surface – called micropitting. This happens, if the surface roughness is larger than the lubricating film, leading to friction between the tooth flanks.
In the new KISSsoft-Release 08/2009 the planned ISO/CD TR 6336-7 is implemented (see also the news on flash temperature). This draft defines the calculation of the lubrication film thickness h, and the effective specific lubrication film thickness λGF during meshing.
This calculation represents an important element for the prevention of micropitting, if it is used as part of an adequate procedure based on practical experience.
Sep 29, 2009: Calculation of Flash Temperature 
In the KISSsoft module "path of contact under load", i.e. the calculation of actual contact points for cylindrical gears, now the calculation of the flash temperature is integrated:
Its calculation is carried out at each contact point, taking into account the sliding velocity, the velocity in the tangential direction on pinion and wheel, the curvature radii of the tooth flanks and the Hertzian pressure. The methods implemented in the Release 08/2009 are based on AGMA 925 and on the draft ISO/TR 6336-7.
In addition the current KISSsoft version includes the calculation method of the effective oil film thickness h and the specific oil film thikness λGF over the meshing; this method is also derived from the ISO. Consequently, the possibility to evaluate the risk of micropitting occurrence is given.
Sep 23, 2009: Calculation of Flank Wear with KISSsoft 
Tooth flank wear, which can be calculated with the current KISSsoft-version 08/2009, is the dominant damage factor considering dry-running plastic gears.
In the new release, the local wear and the worn flank are graphically represented: the wear in relative scale with rays in normal direction on the tooth flank and the flank in real coordinates.
With the early integration of the flank wear calculation in the gear design the number of expensive prototype tests can be reduced successfully.
Aug 17, 2009: The new KISSsoft Release is available 
With the new release 08/2009 several improvements in vital areas have been made - such as the gear contact analysis, roller bearing service life calculation considering inner geometry and the safety factor for micropitting. Additional plastic material data is available, as well as a new calculation method for wear of plastic gear flanks. And for hypoid gears the latest method according to FVA 411 (equivalent to the coming draft of ISO 10300) was implemented.
A list of changes and extensions is available in this document.
Convince yourself of our high quality software package for design, optimization and analysis of machine elements! As from now on, you can download the new version of the KISSsoft calculation program.
Jul 28, 2009: KISSsoft Is Sharing Knowledge 
For months, the industry is overwhelmed with negative headlines. Specialized know-how and skills with calculation tools are the crucial medium for working out the best solutions, especially in these times.
Do not wait until the economic revival starts, but act on time and strengthen yourself for the future: We want to call your atttention to this years training class series of KISSsys, which will take place in September 2009, at our head office in Hombrechtikon (Switzerland). On our seminar page you can find furher informations and prices.
Let us share knowledge and visit one of our training. We look forward to your visit.
Jul 21, 2009: Reinforcement of our Engineering Department
Mr. James Marsch has been appointed as Engineering Manager, North America for KISSsoft, U.S.A., LLC. Jim brings over 40 years of practical engineering design and manufacturing experience including 8 years of specific application support and consulting projects involving metal and plastic gearing for a wide range of customers. Jim has held positions with Allis-Chalmers, Harnischfeger Corporation, Morris Material Handling and most recently Universal Technical Systems.
Jim will be responsible for engineering consulting, customer support and training in North America for KISSsoft, U.S.A., LLC. “We are fortunate to have Jim join our team here and look forward to offering our customers more services” said Dan Kondritz, National Sales Manager of KISSsoft, U.S.A., LLC.
Feel free to contact Jim Marsch at (815) 262-5934 or by email at: jim.marsch@kisssoft.com.
May 20, 2009: KISSsoft on the industrial fair in Hannover 2009 
This year it seemed - in comparison to previous years - calmly in Hannover on the most important industrial fair in Europe.
Our visitors came with specific requests to us – people did not really stroll and browse and talks with random passersby belonged rather to the rarity. Nevertheless, KISSsoft and the innovations of our software aroused a great interest. Our study on thermal analysis, the new roller bearing calculation according to ISO/TS16281 and the traditional method Palloid according to KN3025 belonged to the highlights among the queries.
We appreciate this feedback and will proceed to implement suggestions and requests of our customers in the KISSsoft calculation programs: Your opinion is important to us.
Apr 14, 2009: KISSsoft certified for Inventor 2010 
It is official now: KISSsoft was certified for Inventor 2010 by Autodesk. Due to the interface to Inventor it takes only a few mouse clicks to generate a 3D model of a gear designed in KISSsoft. In addition the complete calculation details are embedded in the model, so that they are available for modifications. Furthermore the transfer of the gear manufacturing data to a 2D sketch is done automatically.
Besides Inventor KISSsoft supports all the other CAD packages common in machine design. If you are looking for further information about this topic, please have a look into our product area.
Feb 24, 2009: Wind energy 
The overall trends in wind turbines and their drive trains are opposing: While the need for smaller gearboxes leads to the requirement for low cost yet noise optimized gears, the demand for large gearboxes causes technological challenges in gearing, large bearings and highly stressed structural members like planetary carriers.
The KISSsoft-software is due to its modular constitution flexibly adaptive and conforms itself to the requirements of the different fields of application. In the current KISSsoft-release 10/2008 the calculation of bearing service life according to ISO/TS16281 is implemented; this standard is officially demanded for wind turbines. Deviation and inclination error of axis, crowning and profile corrections are also taken into account considering the evaluation of transmission error and load distribution.
Jan 05, 2009: The new KISSsoft training approach
For the upcoming year, the KISSsoft training concept is optimized by a clearer differentiation, which will lead to an increase of efficiency.
The training courses will be structured as follows:
1. Introduction:
Software operation
2. Emphasis:
a) Design strategies
b) Theoretical background
The training material will also be adapted to these new guidelines. You may find all the training dates in 2009 under Seminars and Fairs.
Dec 08, 2008: Palloid method according to KN3025 
On request of the industry the palloid process according to KN3025 was implemented into the calculation of the KISSsoft-software. This proven Klingelnberg-method works with a bevel hob and is characterized by high root strength. Because of its constant normal module over facewidth, the palloid toothing enjoys the reputation to be the strongest one.
The original calculation of geometry and root strength is now available in KISSsoft, as well. Furthermore it is extended with load collectives and the KISSsoft-typical functionality of rough sizing on the basis of required safeties. In addition to the standard cutter series for special cutters, the user may enter his own cutter data.
Nov 17, 2008: New Release 10/2008 
The new release of the KISSsoft calculation program is available for download. The user manual has been rewritten along with the context sensitive help file. A comprehensive search engine has been incorporated along with individual print page options. This new manual enhances the new user interface introduced with release 03/2008.
The graphics capabilities have been dramatically enhanced and offer the user the ability to define colors and line styles of curves. Exporting single curves into a text file or the ability to freeze in the background for comparison purposes are also included.
The sizing and selection of roller bearings has been tightly integrated into the shaft editor. This enables the gear selection to utilize the bearing service life in the design process.
Additional capabilities in the calculation of the path of contact for cylindrical gears include: deviation and inclination error of axis, crowning, end relief and helix angel correction. The load distribution is calculated over the facewidth localizing stress and pressure peaks.
The geometrical evaluation of bevel and hypoid gears was extended to include ISO23509 which combines the calculation for straight bevel gears and the three major design generation methods for spiral bevel gears into one complete set of formulas. The formulas apply to bevel gears with center distance (hypoid gears) and to the ones without – as well as for the manufacturing regarding generated and non-generated gears.
Oct 21, 2008: Calculation of roller bearings according to ISO16281 
In addition to the classic method L10 the roller bearing-calculation of KISSsoft evaluates the modified reference service life Lr (according to ISO16281). This standard, which was released 2008, defines the calculation of service life considering the inner geometry of roller bearings. By the integration of the roller bearing module into the shaft calculation the bearing loads are automatically evaluated. Thus with a few mouse clicks you may achieve the service life – of simple and complex bearing configurations. Furthermore influencing variables are taken into account as inclination, operating clearance and inner load distribution as well as lubricant temperature and purity. KISSsoft provides therewith a user friendly tool which optimizes the process of shaft and bearing calculation.
Sep 12, 2008: KISSsys support for coaxial shafts
KISSsys supports now the direct definition of several coaxial shafts in a shaft model. This considerably simplifies gearshift definition. Through it, models will be clearer and faster to realize. Overlaid shafts, such as for example for loose gears in gearboxes and pilot bearings; for instance, a spindle, which is to be installed in a hollow shaft had to be interactively calculated; the entire configuration may now be directly input into KISSsoft. Consequently, the idle gears directly supported by needle bearings in automobile gearbox modeling and the load distribution, may be calculated taking into consideration the internal bearing geometry.
Apr 27, 2008: Release 03/2008
At the Hanover Fair, KISSsoft presented the new Release, 03/2008, of its Software Package. With this version of the calculation program, the completely revised program surface was introduced, considerably contributing to the easier application of the software sizing and analysis modules through their dynamic concept. Particular highlight is the new shaft calculation. It is not only new for the input methodology, by reorganization of the built-in graphical shaft editor, but especially because the calculation kernel was replaced by a Finite Element Kernel. With it, additional calculation possibilities are opened, for example coaxial shafts systems with connective constraints. This frequently appears with gearboxes (overlaid shafts) but also with gear body modeling for finer load analyses, especially with planet gears mounted on bolts. The rolling contact bearing module was considerably extended, offering not only the basic calculation according to ISO 281, but also the implementation of additional methods. Above all, the calculation according to Supplement 4, which takes into account the inner geometry with respect to the load distribution on the individual contact bearing that, recently, became ever more important through the wind energy sector requirements.
Jan 01, 2008: 10 years of KISSsoft AG - 25 years of KISSsoft
Tradition,
this is not the worship of the ashes,
but maintaining the fire.
Gustav Mahler
On the 1st of January 2008, KISSsoft AG celebrated its 10th anniversary. Established on the 1st of January 1998 with the purpose of promoting software development more consistently, the company looks back on ten successful years.
The KISSsoft Software is even a bit older: 25 years ago began the commercialization of the Programs originally written by Dr. Kissling for internal purposes. New functions have been added every year often motivated by customer suggestions. We want to use this opportunity to thank our users for their trust.
Sep 12, 2008: Extension of gear tool definition
With the new KISSsoft Release 09/2007, the definition of the gear reference profile as well as the gear tool was clearly summarized on a dialogue page. It is now possible to input, from the simple DIN 867 Standard Reference Profile, through protuberance tools, down to pinion type cutter, all in the same window. For milling and pinion type cutters, standard series are provided (e. g. DIN 3967); however, own company series may also be defined.
Additionally, there is the possibility of integrating a pre-machining step. Or also, to define a reference profile freely, independently from the data base. In this last case, meaningful sizing functions are available for most input parameters, for example the tip height hap may be laid out from the tip circle. Or to automatically determine the whole reference profile in order to obtain a pre-determined profile overlapping, for example, 2.0 to get an as quiet as possible running of the gears.
May 31, 2008: Pitting load capacity according to ISO6336
The calculation of helical gears according to ISO6336 or DIN3990 shows a higher load capacity for pitting in helical gears compared to spur gears which is in contrast to experiments.
Recent research done by a FVA project proposed a change for the helix angle Zβ to be calculated to Zβ = 1/sqrt(cos(β)) instead of Zβ=sqrt(cos(β)) as stated in ISO6336 or DIN3990 part 2. This proposal compares better to experimental results as shown in http://www.geartechnology.com/issues/0508/hohn.htm
This change in helix angle factor for ISO 6336 can be selected in calculation settings for KISSsoft 03/2008. This setting is recommended for comparisons of different solutions.
The ISO6336 Corrigendum 2008 was finally published beginning of June. You can download it for free under www.iso.org.