Digital Prototyping was the key to
overcoming the challenge that Thompson Couplings Ltd faced in
developing an innovative new type of coupling that addresses a
long-standing engineering issue. The company’s design reduces
engineering problems associated with traditional couplings—such as loss
of power, vibration, increased wear, and machine damage—giving it the
potential to benefit a range of applications, from truck transmissions
to helicopter rotary blades.

Thompson used digital prototyping to design a coupling that transmits power from one shaft to another at constant velocity without any load-bearing sliding surfaces.

Since the mid 1600s, engineers have attempted to build a coupling
capable of transmitting power from one shaft to another at constant
velocity without any load-bearing sliding surfaces. The Thompson
coupling is said to be the first to accomplish this goal.

As the foundation for Digital Prototyping, Inventor software enabled
Thompson to digitally visualize, simulate and analyze coupling design
data before anything was actually built, streamlining the product
development process and significantly reducing time to market.

“We are thrilled at the speed with which Autodesk Inventor allowed us
to develop the Thompson coupling for customers within the automotive,
aviation and industrial machinery markets,” said David Farrell,
director of engineering at Thompson. “As we commercialize the product
and enter full production, Inventor will continue to play an important
role in designing and testing the product.”

It is unlikely that Thompson’s innovation would have been possible
without the advantages of Digital Prototyping. A digital prototype is a
simulation of a product that integrates conceptual, engineering and
mechanical design data in a single digital model.

By using 3D digital models, Thompson was easily able to perform various
tests and analyses, including load calculations. Digital Prototyping
enabled the company to iterate on the design until engineers achieved
the proper product dimensions and properties—all without the time and
costs associated with creating and modifying physical prototypes.

Thompson estimates that by using Inventor software, it was able to
accomplish its design goals two to three times faster than if engineers
had relied solely on 2D means. In addition, Thompson was able to reduce
production of physical prototypes by 40%.

Thompson Couplings Ltd.
www.thompsoncouplings.com

Autodesk, Inc.
www.autodesk.com

MPF