DEM Modeling and Simulation of Axial Vibration Microfeeding System

Abstract

The conical head axial vibration microfeeding method was proposed for quantitative filling drug powder into the miniature multi-tank of a controlled-release drug delivery system. The discrete element method (DEM) model of the axial vibration microfeeding system was established by the commercial software PFC3D. Simulation research of the microscopic flow mechanism of powder in conical head under the axial harmonic excitation was carried out, and the effects of the conic angle of conical head, vibration amplitude on the flow rate were also studied. Results showed that powder in a conical tube under the axial harmonic excitation fell from the bottom to the top layer by layer, the powder also vibrated slightly in the falling process, and the friction between powders particles decreased because of the slight vibration. When the powder began to flow, the gap was significantly greater than the initial gap of the powder, and the gap fluctuated with the vibration excitation. The greater the angle of conical head, the more difficult the powder flowed out, and the flow rate was reduced. When the vibration frequency was a constant, the flow rate of the powder was decreased with the increase of the vibration amplitude. These results provide a reference for the design of axial vibration microfeeding system.