Chain Conveyors Research Articles

On the use of vibrations and temperatures for the monitoring of plastic chain conveyor systems

In industrial automation, the transportation of unit loads plays a crucial role. This paper addresses the under-explored area of plastic chain conveyors, a versatile and efficient means of transport within production processes. Despite their widespread use, these conveyors suffer from wear and tear due to continuous contact between the chain and guide rails, often leading to unscheduled shutdowns and increased costs. The literature on monitoring solutions for such systems is sparse, particularly for plastic chains. This paper aims to bridge this gap by surveying the most common wear mechanisms for these systems and presenting a physical model that describes the interaction between the chain links and guide rails, based on chain of masses, springs and dampers and the Archard wear model. This model allows to relate the variations due to wear with other physical quantities, such as passage frequencies of the links and heat generated due to friction. The comprehensive model provides analytical formulas to understand the vibrations induced by the chain on the platform and the guide-rail temperatures. To validate the model and evaluate how the measurements are affected by the degradation of the system, an extensive experimental campaign was conducted on a conveyor test rig, acquiring vibration and temperature data. The end goal is to identify and discuss methodologies suitable for estimating the wear mechanisms of conveyor systems, with a focus on the constraints of industrial environments. Hence, this study aims to lay the groundwork for defining monitoring solutions that enhance the maintenance efficiency of plastic chain conveyor systems. The results suggest that the power Spectral Densities (PSD) of the platform’s accelerations are sufficient to estimate the average links pitch, which in turn could be used to assess the chain elongation. Besides, the local temperatures confirmed the model observations, making them suitable for estimating the slide-rail thinning.

Weibull distribution as a criterion of emergency levels

In the exploitation of machinery and equipment, one of the most important parameters is the dynamic state of the object. Observing residual processes is the most popular method of assessing the dynamic state. In particular, dynamic residual processes are a carrier of diagnostic information. Measuring the vibrations and noise of working mini-mining machines provides knowledge about the dynamics of the assessed machinery. Many years of knowledge and experience have allowed for the creation of diagnostic procedures. Within most machines used in the industry, the procedures considered standard allow for an effective diagnostic assessment and optimal management of mini-mining machine exploitation. The applicability of these standards is quite wide. However, there are machines with parameters that prevent the application of said standards. Mini-mining machines used in subterranean mining are one of these machines. In the case of diagnostic assessment of continuous miners, chain conveyors, as well as other machinery used in the technological chain, the usage of assessment brackets consistent with adopted standards is incorrect. In the diagnostic assessment of these types of mini-mining machines, an analysis of long-term trends is often used. The determination of acceptable vibration levels is obtained heuristically through observations of the damage up to the state of emergency. In the article, methods of mini mining machines state assessment using models of machine degradation, using Weibull distribution, are presented. The presented method has been used in real results of vibration measurement of underground machinery used in a coal mine. The analyses showed a large effectiveness of the presented method.

Algorithm of accurate cargo movement on a physical model of a sorting conveyor

Relevance. It is justified by the necessity to confirm the operability of the algorithm of accurate movement of the selected wood sorting to the corresponding storage bunker in the technological process of roundwood sorting at winter warehouses of timber processing companies to solve scientific and engineering problems both at present and in the future. Aim. To investigate the process of moving piece load on the physical model of longitudinal chain or belt conveyor, providing scaled reduction of positioning error. When sorting roundwood on chain longitudinal conveyors of considerable length, there is an error of movement of the selected roundwood sort to the place of discharge into the accumulator, which increases in proportion to the length of the sorting line. At present, conveyors of limited length are used. The accumulators are located on both sides of the conveyor. This reduces the transport error. Sometimes the sorting yard does not allow placing a short conveyor on it or there is a considerable amount of assortments. In this case, it is necessary to use a conveyor of considerable length. The paper proposes a new method of sorting roundwood on longitudinal chain conveyors of considerable length. This reduces the tracking error of the movement of the assortment. Optoelectronic sensors of angular displacements of the leading and driven shafts of the belt conveyor are used as sensors of angular displacements of the shaft. Methods. Physical modelling, information-static processing methods. Results and conclusions. The authors have carried out the analysis of the structure of the physical similarity stand of the longitudinal conveyor; sensors of the technological process, namely, angular frequency of rotation; software and hardware means of processing the obtained information to minimize the error of transporting piece cargo on the conveyor belt. The results of the study confirm the possibility of practical application of the device for operation on longitudinal conveyors.

Fabrication of continuous solar dryer for fruits and vegetables slices

The world population is more than 8 billion and about 20-25 per cent people does not have enough food to eat. It has been estimated that world as a whole more than 30-50 per cent vegetables, fruits etc. are lost before it reaches to the consumers. To overcoming spoiling problems of vegetables and fruit; various preserving methods are used and renewable sources are best for this purpose by which we can save energy for preservation and keeping the product in their natural flavor by drying it.Drying is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. The solar drying system utilizes solar energy to heat air and to dry any food substance. It brings about a substantial reduction in weight, volume, minimizing packing, storage, and transportation costs, and enables storability of the product under ambient temperatures. This paper present the Construction of Continuous solar dryer which can be used for drying various fruits and vegetables products in rural areas under hygienic conditions. The Continues solar dryer was constructed consisting of a solar collector cum drying chamber. The overall dimension of the continues solar dryer is 1830×300×620mm and the drying chamber was painted black to absorb maximum solar radiations. The glass was covered it permits the solar radiation into the system but resists flow of heat energy out of system and product were moving continually from inlet to outlet through chain conveyors. This chain conveyors was connected to the rollers and the roller was connected to belt pully to reduction motor and VFD to control the chain conveyor from inlet to outlet to dry the product at required moisture content.

Fault Diagnosis of Double Pitch Time-Sharing Meshing Toothed Conveyor Chain Transmission System Based on Neural Network

With the rapid development of industry, the production and demand of automobiles have increased significantly. The generation of cars often requires tens of thousands of processes, consisting of hundreds of assembly lines to complete. Chain conveyors are widely used in the transportation of automobile assembly lines. The existing conveyor chains are roller chains. With the improvement of the requirements for conveyor reliability, synchronization, and environmental friendliness, the characteristics of roller conveyor chains restrict the further development of chain conveyors. It is urgent to study a new conveyor chain system to improve the synchronization, reliability, and environmental friendliness of chain conveyors on hundreds of assembly lines. In this paper, the mathematical modeling, meshing analysis, reliability, and environmental friendliness of the parameters of the components of the double pitch time-sharing meshing toothed conveyor chain system are studied. In addition, a novel fault diagnosis method of double pitch time-sharing meshing toothed conveyor chain transmission system based on neural network model is proposed in this paper.

Slat Chain Conveyor with V-Block Assembly

Chain conveyors are used for moving products down an assembly line and/or around a manufacturing or warehousing facility. Chain conveyors are primarily used to transport heavy unit loads, e.g. pallets, grid boxes, and industrial containers. These conveyors can be single or double chain strand in configuration. The load is positioned on the chains, the friction pulls the load forward. Chain conveyors are generally easy to install and have very minimum maintenance for users. Aimed to provide most segmented consumption and sales data of different types of Chain Conveyor, downstream consumption fields and competitive landscape in different regions and countries around the world, this report analyzes the latest market data from the primary and secondary authoritative source. The report also tracks the latest market dynamics, such as driving factors, restraining factors, and industry news like mergers, acquisitions, and investments. It provides market size (value and volume), market share, growth rate by types, applications, and combines both qualitative and quantitative methods to make micro and macro forecasts in different regions or countries.

Perspective directions of mechanical power transmission research

A lot of publications are devoted to the study of gear transmission, which cover all the features of their design, operation and repair. An in-depth analysis of factors that were not taken into account a decade ago was carried out. The efficiency of the drive, taking into account air resistance, and the stress-strain state of the tooth, taking into account centrifugal deformations, were determined. Thus, there are constant complication of the tasks that researchers set themselves. At the same time, recent achievements in the natural sciences have led to a narrowing of the field of use of gears. Thus, the electric motor replaced the internal combustion engine, which was an important object of research for mechanical engineers. The widespread use DC motors with speed control has led to the abandonment of gearboxes in electric vehicles and metalworking machines. Application of mechanical gears in devices. starting with ordinary watches, and ending with the mechanisms of computer disk drives, is a thing of the past. Further in-depth studies of gears, in some cases, don’t make sense, since the object of research disappears. It is important to identify areas of research that remain relevant in the 21st century. First of all, these are transmission studies that use the latest achievements in other areas of science. These include: the use of new materials in gears; use of new forms of tooth profiles and longitudinal forms of the tooth, without technological restrictions; analysis of the operation of the gear drive based on indirect indicators - the spectrum of noise and thermal fields of housings. Also, the study of gears in which the tooth is a working body, such as chain conveyors and pumps, will never lose relevance. Or, in which the gear train combines a number of functions, for example, the worm gears of elevators, which reduce the angular velocity and serve as a fuse.

PERSPECTIVES OF CYCLOID TRANSMISSION

In modern mechanical engineering, transmissions with the use of an involute tooth profile are widespread. However, one of the main disadvantages of these transmissions is that they exposure to wear. In this study, research on the cycloid profile is conducted as an alternative option. Cycloid profiles are one of the profiles applied to the teeth in order to transmit motion. Although cycloid profiles are mainly used in instrumentation, satellites are made of cycloid profile in planetary gears. Cycloid profile teeth are less exposed to wear during operation. Practically, the shape of cycloidal teeth does not allow them to break, so there is no bending deformation in the teeth. In planetary gear transmission, the satellites are usually made of a cycloid profile. Cycloid profile teeth are exposed to less wear. Currently, planetary gear reducers are widely used mainly in the oil industry, drilling equipments, in the lifting mechanisms, gearboxes, on chain conveyors, rotary tables, in robotics, manufacturing, mechanical and chemical engineering fields and so on. The increased load capacity of the cycloid pinion gears is due to the multi-pair contact surface and it has a superior adhesion profile than the involute profile. The loading schemes of cycloidal and evolvent profile teeth shows that the normal force in contact Fn and its dangerous section on the tooth of the cycloidal profile is much less than in the case when the tooth has an involute profile. This is due to the fact that with cycloid profile transmission the number of teeth simultaneously transmitting the load is significantly greater than when implementing the same transmission with involute teeth. Cycloid profile gear reducers can be considered as a modern solution to current requirements such as high efficiency, smooth and quiet work, ability to accept short-term maximum loads, small overall size, minimum technical requirements etc. The simulation of the real load conditions and interference generated during the rotation of the shaft was developed in Solidworks in order to determine the contact stresses and the contact areas resulting from these stresses of the teeth of the gear and satellites of cycloid profile planetary gear reducers. This simulation determines the values of the teeth involved in the contact, the interference of those teeth, the contact areas and the contact stresses generated in these areas, depending on the angle of rotation of the shaft. The profile of the proposed teeth allows to achieve the minimum size with the maximum transmission ratio. Keywords: cycloid profile, cycloid transmission, planetary reducer, interference, simulation, contact area.

Effective use of DEM to design chain conveyor geometry

Traditionally, chain conveyors with classic structural carriers are used to transport bulk materials. The research topic of the study was how various geometric carrier shapes could affect, for example, transportation efficiency, wear or the action of forces. For this purpose, 53 alternative geometric shapes were designed and simulated in DEM. The efficiency of the geometric shapes was calculated in terms of the material transport speed, the acting compressive forces, the particulate velocities around the carriers, the wear of the carrier surface, and the resistances in carrier movement. The input parameters of the DEM model of the bulk material and conveyor were experimentally verified by the angle of repose and the validation device of the chain conveyor. Deviations of the DEM validation of material and processes in the conveyor fell in the range 0.29–3.17%. The effect of compressive forces acting on carrier I, II and V was also investigated to determine the efficiency of the processes. Because of the large number of simulations, we designed an optimal simplified model, which was validated with a 2% difference from the original and more computationally demanding model. Based on all the (measured and simulated) values, we determined the optimal design of the carriers by examining the overall efficiency. We found four alternative carrier shapes for the effective area. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the modern methods of analysis and subsequent optimization of contact geometrical surfaces for the purpose of creating prototypes with low economic requirements.

Controllers design for the semi-automation shrimps tempura frying production line

Nowadays, the applications of automatic control systems have been developing very fast in many diversify of the industry fields. One of the most significant industry that is needed to care and focus to develop this automation technology in order to reduce the huge number of workers and increase the productivity is the seafood industries. Normally, the seafood industry has a lot of workers to carry out everything manually. There still remain many research topics relating to this field to help this industry to develop in the trend of 4.0 ages. The semi–automation shrimps Tempura frying production line is a system to make Tempura shrimps with high productivity. The workers simply put the shrimps into the serial of chain frying molds and the system will automatically do the whole production process to produce the completed Tempura shrimps. The whole process to produce Tempura shrimps includes the following steps: (1) Shaping shrimp and cover with powder solution by automatic powder solution spraying system; (2) Complete frying to make the shrimps to be cooked; (3) Oil draining system to remove the remain oil inside the shrimp and the powder cover. Then the finished products will be put into the frozen system to preserve. The whole production line will be separated into 3 main modules: Module 1: The shaping module (first time frying) and powder solution spraying module; Module 2: The deep fry module (second time frying); Module 3: The oil draining module. This paper introduces about the control system for each module and the controller of the whole system to make a complete semi-automation shrimp tempura frying production line. Some controller technology as On/Off, PID control algorithms are proposed to apply for the whole production line as: speed control of the stainless-steel chain conveyors, temperature control of the cooked tanks, quantitative control of the powder solution amount to be sprayed on the shrimps, the oil draining conveyor speed, the heat and air flow control of the oil draining module.

Real-time Measuring and Monitoring of Relevant Parameters in Complex Chain Conveyor Systems

In continuous conveyor systems with circulating traction mechanisms, e.g. chains, the kinematic-dynamic movement behaviour of the traction mechanism is of great importance. Force and vibration analyses can be used to detect overloads and other irregularities in the conveying process. This helps to prevent damage that can lead to a complete failure of the conveyor system. Such analyses are particularly interesting for slide chain conveyors with plastic chains, as these react very sensitively to system overload due to limited thermal and mechanical characteristics as well as often a complex track layout. This article shows how accelerations and tractive forces can be continuously recorded, transmitted and analysed by sensors integrated into the chain links. In addition to the discussion of test results, potential applications of the measuring chain are shown.

Innovation in the area of transportation of powdery matters. Elevator conveyors, Redler chain conveyors and Metal spiral conveyors

The article points out the problems occurring on transport routes within the transfer of mined materials on technological lines for mineral processing, finds possible solutions in increasing the service lifespan of individual parts and in the field of maintenance helps to protect the health at work of employees of mining organizations and their suppliers. It contains the issue of the operation of technological line as one large unit, which combines innovative solutions with the use of modern materials, increasing service lifespan, reducing repair costs and reducing the frequency of repairs – especially those that are cyclically recurring. All this helps to eliminate the number of accidents and this is the reason why it protects the operator of the technological line. Ultimately, maintenance costs become more efficient despite relatively higher acquisition costs in the initial phase.

Discrete model of chain conveyor movement dynamics

Improving the reliability of structures of transport mechanisms and other elements, reducing metal content, improving performance, expanding functionality and technical capabilities is a priority area of work to improve existing and develop new machines for beet growing. The dynamic model of the chain conveyor which considers the basic movement and fluctuations of elements of the drive and a working cloth is developed in work. The model is represented by a system of discrete masses with eight degrees of freedom. The operation of chain conveyors is characterized by the presence of dynamic forces arising from the pulsating movement of the chain at a steady rotation of the drive sprocket. At the start-up site, dynamic forces from increasing the speed from zero to a certain constant value are added to these forces. Under such conditions, significant alternating dynamic loads can occur in the chain, which as a result of the accumulation of fatigue phenomena can lead to its premature destruction.

A Study of the Operation Parameters of a Tube Chain Conveyor Based on Discrete Element Simulation

Computer simulation design can be utilized to determine operation parameters for tube chain conveyors (TCCs), such as a reasonable material filling rate and running speed of the scraper chain; this approach can shorten the developing cycle of TCCs and reduce developing costs. This study chose three material filling rates (75%, 60%, and 50%) and the corresponding running speeds of the chain (0.37 m/s, 0.47 m/s and 0.57 m/s) as research variables. Using simulation software implementing the engineering discrete element method (EDEM), we obtained the chain tension values during material conveyance. By comparing these values with those obtained in a field experiment measurement under the aforementioned conditions, we conclude that the EDEM simulation results are consistent with the experimental measurement results. This study demonstrates that it is plausible to simulate different operation parameters of TCCs using EDEM simulation, which provides a computer design method for rationally determining the operation parameters of TCCs.

Unification of Equipment for Transporting People, Coal and Materials Produced by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Sp. z o. o. and Used in the Mines of the JSW Capital Group

Abstract The publication presents the assumptions of the unification process of machines and equipment produced by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Sp. z o. o. and operating at the coal mines of the JSW Capital Group. It outlines a solution adopted by JZR Sp. z o. o. addressing this issue. The authors identify the potential benefits of the process to the entire Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa Capital Group, but they also mention the risks that may arise during its implementation. The publication also presents the first results of the unification, observed on the basis of the unified equipment and machinery of the coal clearance system for transporting people, coal and materials, which has already been put into operation in underground mining excavations. It also includes a chapter devoted to the influence of the unification on the development of “technical thought,” i.e. on the innovativeness of the equipment for transporting people, coal and materials newly produced by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe Sp. z o. o. which are to be implemented in the near future. New, innovative solutions are presented, which were introduced both in the unified transport devices such as chain and belt conveyors and in devices cooperating with them, i.e. lump breakers, pushing devices and other accessory equipment for the conveyors.

Structural, kinematic and kinetostatic analysis of a manure spreader equipped by a mobile platform with articulated elements

Organic fertilization involves working with machines by a special construction, suitable for the material to be spread, machines that have, in most cases, chain conveyors with scrapers attached to the chains. In some cases, the conveyor chain may break, due to the jams, and the need for manual unloading of the bunker (bucket) appears, which requires a great physical effort, the unloading being made by the operator, using a shovel. The construction of the platform using mobile, articulated elements would greatly facilitate the unloading at the bottom of the bunker and would eliminate the physical effort of the operator. This article presents the structural, kinematic and kinetostatic analysis of a mechanism designed for actuating a mobile platform, which is part of a manure spreader, composed of articulated elements driven by hydraulic cylinders. For the kinematic analysis of the mobile element platform’s mechanism, calculation procedures written in the Matlab syntax are used. After the kinematic analysis of the mechanism, the kinetostatic analysis is performed, i.e. the determination of the reactions from the kinematic couplings, as well as the hydraulic force from the hydraulic cylinder. The results can be used for dimensional verification of the mechanism components, thus contributing to the optimization of the mechanism.

A MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING MODEL FOR CERAMIC TILES CONVEYOR SELECTION

Material handling is one of the activities in manufacturing that can drastically affect not only the production cost but also the performance of the entire line, particularly in continuous and transfer manufacturing system. Therefore, selecting the most appropriate material handling equipment is a critical decision that should be could be carefully studied in the early stages of manufacturing system design. This paper is mainly concerned with selecting the most appropriate conveyor for handling ceramic tiles during it production phases. The handling process in this application is characterized by dealing with fragile product as well as exposure to high temperature. Generally, such a decision inherently entails several conflicting qualitative and quantitative criteria. Accordingly, a multi-criteria decision making model has been developed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assist the system designer in selecting the most appropriate conveyor. In this study, four conveyor alternatives have been considered. The results of the model implementation recommended slat conveyors as the best alternative for serving in the ceramic tile manufacturing environment, followed by belt and chain conveyors, while the last one in the ranking is the roller conveyor. Besides, the developed model can be used to perform sensitivity analysis to explore how the decision could be affected in response to changes in the decision maker’s preferences related to the considered criteria.

Experimental Evaluation of the Tractive Effort of the Chain Conveyor During Book Block Spine Processing by Cylindrical Milling Cutter at Perfect Binding

Abstract The article reports on a device for book block spines processing that was designed and assembled on a perfect binding machine Trendbinder. The article shows workability of designed device. The authors have developed a methodology for the experimental study of the tractive effort of chain conveyors by technological load, the wireless module for data measurement and software for its processing. Extensive coverage is given to experimental research of the tractive effort of chain conveyors during book block spine processing depending on book block velocity, type of paper from which they are made and setting angle of cylindrical milling cutter relatively to direction of book blocks movement. The authors have examined the change in the tractive effort. The article experimentally confirms that sluggishness of chain drive causes vibration of the tractive effort. This effect can be observed during free-running movement of chain with carriers of perfect binding machine as well as during technological load influence. The article describes that between research parameters the setting angle of cylindrical milling cutter has the main impact relatively on the direction of book blocks movement.

Impeller Blower Performance in Conveying Broiler Litter

Abstract. Broadcast application is the typical application method for poultry litter, which is a mixture of poultry manure and a bedding material. Applying poultry litter in subsurface bands reduces concentrations of nutrients from the litter in surface runoff water, reduce loss of ammonia to volatilization, and has been shown to increase cotton lint yield, relative to conventional broadcast application. An impeller blower was developed for conveying poultry litter a short distance horizontally and downward to the soil. When relatively dry pine shavings-based broiler litter with a moisture content of 27% w.b. was used, and the impeller speed was 930 r min-1 [14.9 m s-1 (48.9 ft s-1) circumferential speed], the blower performed well conveying litter at a rate of 1.2 kg s-1 (2.6 lb s-1) [0.88 kg dry matter s-1 (1.9 lb dry matter s-1)]. The blower performance was unsatisfactory, however, when relatively moist litter with a moisture content of 45% w.b. was used because the litter adhered to the interior of the blower outlet and clogged the outlet. The blower was mounted beneath a litter hopper, and safety of people in the vicinity of the blower is a concern if the litter contains rocks or other hard objects, and there is no shield to prevent these objects from being flung upward, out of the hopper, from the blower inlet. When the blower was run at 889 ± 14 r min-1 without any litter, so it was conveying only air, as the area of the circular blower inlet increased by a factor of 25 from 0.00051 to 0.0127 m2 (0.79 to 19.6 in.2), the mean outlet air velocity increased by a factor of 4.0 from 3.0 to 12.0 m s-1 (9.8 to 39.4 ft s-1). The blower conveyed dry litter successfully for a single-band implement [1.2 kg s-1 (2.6 lb s-1) mass flow rate at 930 r min-1 impeller speed], for subsurface band application of poultry litter. Mesh chain conveyors, however, perform better for litter moisture contents up to 40% w.b. The mass flow rate of litter, up to 40% w.b. moisture content, can be controlled quite well with mesh chain conveyors (litter mass flow rate coefficients of variation typically 5% or less), but is more difficult to control with this impeller blower. Keywords: Animal waste, Band application, Impeller blower, Manures, Manure application equipment, Pneumatic conveying, Poultry manure, Subsurface banding.

Influences on dynamic behavior of sliding chain conveyors

Vibrations appearing in transport chain conveyors cause disadvantageous effects in conveying processes and decrease the durability of chains. In order to investigate these vibrations, a conveyor system with sliding chain made of plastic has been selected. Based on a generalized abstraction of this system, a multi-body simulation model was developed which considers viscoelastic properties of the sliding chain. The model was verified by measurements in the conveyor system. Finally, influencing factors on dynamic behavior were examined in more detail by variant calculations.