Abstract
This article deals with the well-founded methodology and the innovative design criteria, currently implemented on the AgustaWestland helicopter transmissions. These specific concepts constitute, by means of a combination of innovative features and practical experiences, a general design process for the definition of the future transmissions to come and for the continuous improvement of existing products. Both analytical predictions and experimental evidences, driving the design along parallel paths, have provided all necessary data for conceiving a logical flowchart, the end of which is a robust, light and durable transmission. Particular emphasis to quietness behaviour is indeed one specific objective of the new philosophy in gearbox design. Project peculiarities, design and analysis procedures, reliability indexes and achieved performance behaviour are presented. A number of practical and real case histories is outlined, providing examples of the actual implementation of this design and development approach.
