Abstract
Thickness profiles for rotating disks that maximize critical speed are determined for use by designers of industrial circular saws. The disk thickness is permitted to vary between fixed lower and upper bounds, the lower bound corresponding to the minimum thickness saw capable of supporting the in-plane stresses associated with cutting forces and rotation, the upper bound corresponding to the thickness of the saw teeth. The optimal thickness profile consists of two annuli, the inner one with thickness equal to the upper bound, the outer one with thickness equal to the lower bound. With the optimal thickness profile, the critical speed can be raised up to 24%, depending on the clamping ratio of the disk and the lower bound. Optimal thickness profiles and increases in critical speeds are described and compared to existing saw designs.
