We describe the construction of genuine black box software to model in
detail elastohydrodynamically lubricated contacts. Such models are ne
cessarily built on a basis of sophisticated numerical software, since
the operating parameters encountered in engine and machine components
(e.g. an automotive valve train) span a very wide range of conditions
from the nearly steady and hydrodynamic case to extreme EHD conditions
with rapid transients, As transient phenomena are responsible for the
non-failure of many machine components under EHD conditions, we regar
d the ability to model them as critical. The traditional correlations
for lubricant oil film thickness (survey functions) do not account for
transients. We are therefore using EHD modelling software as the core
of several engine component simulation programs. Copyright (C) 1996 S
hell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV. Published by Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd