Belt-drive systems engineering toolkit

The solution is a desktop application providing multiple specialized modules for streamlined belt-drive design. The product is built based on C# .NET 6 WPF along with MVVM architecture.

 

The platform is designed to serve the company’s internal needs:

• There are 6 modules that support the specification and engineering of complex belt-drive systems, which are being distributed across multiple major sectors
• 2 of 6 modules are also available publicly – external end-users might use these modules to perform own calculations and order custom-built solutions precisely tailored to their specific needs

The toolkit provides specialists with the following functionality: 

• A comprehensive design guidance
• A complete, automatically synching product and pricing catalog
• Project and design creation
• Derivatives creation 
• Design calculation
  – Geometry properties
  – Belt life
  – Shaft load
  – Tensioning information
  – Energy savings
  – Cost savings
• PDF format report creation and export

Mobile functionality in detail

The platform’s mobile version provides the following functionality:

1. An easy-to-navigate 2-point drive design module, which allows users to:
– Select desired belt products
– Fill in drive details 
– Consider service and equipment as well as other important conditions
– Create and export reports

2. Premises’ management – this section allows to:
– Add/merge/edit premises
– Add drives
– Review distributors
– Search co-workers

3. Tensioning calculation – by using this tool, the user can run tensioning calculation in 3 different modes:
– By choosing standard parameters from the product catalog
– By measuring belt frequency without calculating tension 
– By entering custom parameters

4. RPM calculation – by using the flashlight, the user can measure belt RPM

5. Sound meter – by using the microphone, the user can measure noise levels in decibels

6. Distance meter – by using the camera, the user can calculate geometric parameters

Main challenges

Main challenges faced during the project include the following matters:

1. Some algorithms had to be rewritten to a modern language precisely

To prevent regression issues, we covered the most important parts with both unit and automated tests.

2. Some algorithms, previously provided by the old framework, had to be rebuilt from scratch

To handle this part, we involved skilled engineers that have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of computer science.

3. Custom algorithms

In collaboration with the client company’s product engineers, we implemented industry-specific calculations.
By leveraging extensive expertise in R&D, specifically in computer vision, we provided the possibility to conduct drive measurements by using Apple ARKit.

4. Cross-platform development

To ensure easy maintenance, we shared a common business logic in C# across platforms:

• Essential functions are extracted to common data libraries
• As changes are introduced, those functions are being automatically included across platforms