Finite Element Analysis of Worm Auger in Meat Grinder

Abstract

The worm auger contributes to the pressures generated at the grinder plate face during grinding of meat. The axial pressure distribution along the worm auger during grinding was discussed. The pressure almost increased linearly along axial direction from feeding end to discharge end. The 3D model of the worm auger created in Pro/E software were imported into ANSYS 9.0 software and a linear static finite element analysis was performed. The visual deflection patterns the part experiences under "real world" loading conditions were obtained so as to complete the security check of strength. The results showed that the yield strength was largely improved with thread root radius increasing from 2 mm to 5 mm. Hence, this method can be applied to rapidly and correctly find those dangerous positions and existing imperfections of its structure, thus providing valuable data to judge its structural rationality before practical manufacture, so as to make further improvements and optimizations for its structural design.