Application of numerical and physical modeling in designing of an X-ray luminescence separator intended for separation of ores containing luminescent minerals

The paper demonstrates the application of numerical and physical modeling to justify the design of the X-ray fluorescence separator’s material handling system. The Rocky DEM software package is a numerical modeling tool that uses the discrete element method as a mathematical apparatus. In order to increase the efficiency of the X-ray luminescence separation, the authors suggest including an additional element in the separator’s material handling system, i.e., a drum spreader that combines a handling device and an actuating mechanism. It was found out that the best loading of the drum spreader cells, in which the number of several pieces in one cell is reduced by at least 15%, is provided by a Vibrating feeder conveyor with a triangular cross-section of the profiled part of the tray compared with the tray of parabolic cross-section. In addition, the triangular section provides a double decrease in the number of pieces with rotational movement around their axes and, accordingly, an increase of at least 5% in the average velocity of the ore flow movement along the tray. The simulation of the material handling system has shown the need to reduce the height of the end partition of the drum spreader between the cells to 45 mm, which eliminates the collision of ore pieces with the partition and subsequently, their movement in the direction of rotation of the drum spreader on its outer surface, as well as the unpredictable escape of the ore pieces beyond the working space of the separator.

Perancangan Model Stacker Crane Flexible Manufacturing System untuk Pembelajaran di Institusi Pendidikan

Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is one of the modern production systems that support the implementation of Industry 4.0. An educational institution plans to build an FMS model for learning the modern production systems. The FMS is a manufacturing system consisting of a set of automatic workstations connected to a material handling system where all activities are controlled by a computer system. The material handling system consists of a material storage system and a transportation system, one example of a transportation system is the stacker crane. In this research, the stacker crane model has been built which consists of three main components, which are the bottom frame, the mast, and the carriage. This component is equipped with stepper motors, leadscrews that are controlled by the micro controller and an application on Android. The stacker crane model is tested to retrieve and deliver the stereofoam material model to the destination which is controlled by the user using an application on Android. The characteristics of the stacker crane model can move the workpiece with a maximum error of 2 mm in the positive x-axis direction, 2 mm in the negative x-axis movement, up to 2 mm positive y-axis, downward at negative y-axis direction 2 mm.

Field studies analysis for new Material Handling System Design approach

Mastering the Material Handling System (MHS) is still a crucial issue, according to Hellmann et al the costs of Material Handling activities ranges from 15–70% of total manufacturing costs depending on the kind of production [6]. The introduction of industry 4.0 technologies for Material Handling, is renewing the decisions to take in the design of MHS. The practices in MHS design and management are very diversified in industry and no consensus clearly exist on how efficiently designing such system. This paper discusses the need to understand the relation between the different aspects of Material Handling System design, and propose to identify the key challenges to be addressed. Through field studies that were conducted with five distinct companies and an analysis of the literature, five MHS aspects are examined; Material Handling Activities, Material Handling and automation, Material Handling Control System, Material Handling Equipment Selection, and Material Handling System. Based on the results of the analysis, a cross analysis is performed to identify the differences and the common patterns between the literature and the field study. As a result, research directions for new MHS design approach are proposed. It is composed of four main challenges; Material handling specifications, MHE selection, MHE deployment, and MHS analysis. Each challenge is linked to other potential subjects.

Multi-objective automated guided vehicle scheduling based on MapReduce framework

During material handling processes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) pose a path conflict problem. To solve this problem, we proposed a multi-objective scheduling model based on total driving distance and waiting time, and used the A* path planning algorithm to search the shortest path of AGV. By using a speed control strategy, we were able to detect the overlap path and the conflict time. Additionally, we adopted an efficient MapReduce framework to improve the speed control strategy execution efficiency. At last, a material handling system of smart electrical connectors workshop was discussed to verify the scheduling model and the speed control strategy combined with the MapReduce framework is feasible and effective to reduce the AGV path conflict probability. The material handling system could be applied in workshop to replace manual handling and to improve production efficiency.