The analysis of influential parameters on calibration and feeding accuracy of belt feeders

Continual material feeding represents a process of great importance for process industries. Feeding with belt feeders represents one of the most common methods. Belt feeders are devices that require little space, they are not expensive and, most importantly, they do not interrupt material flow while feeding. Calibration of belt feeders, as well as other measuring devices, is a prerequisite for measuring and achieving a defined level of measurement accuracy. On the other hand, the defined level of measurement accuracy is often difficult to achieve in practice due to the multitude of factors that affect the operation of belt feeders. Existing mathematical models indicate a number of influential factors on measurement accuracy. The paper presents the measurement procedure performed on a belt feeder in laboratory conditions, with variable speeds and belt tensions and the known raised position of the measuring idler. Based on the obtained results, appropriate conclusions were made about the influences on calibration and measurement accuracy.

The Frictional Force between Slug and Die in Shear Cutting after Material Separation

Frictional forces in sheet metal blanking are central in different aspects, e.g. in wear prediction, validation of simulation models or in so called slug pulling. The latter is a phenomenon where the slug is pulled out of the die by the punch after the sheet metal is separated. This leads to process disturbances reaching from a blocked belt feeder up to severe tool damage caused by the simultaneous cutting of the slug and the sheet metal strip. A sufficiently high frictional force between the slug and the die prevents this effect. Despite its importance, this force and its causes have not yet been investigated in detail. A method was developed in this paper to measure the frictional force between slug and die. A shear cutting tool with an integrated piezoelectric load cell and an inductive position sensor was used on a stamping press to cut sheet metal made of CuSn6 (R350, thickness 1 mm). The die clearance, the punch edge radii and the lubrication conditions were varied. A larger die clearance resulted in a lower frictional force while a larger punch edge radius increased it significantly. Lubrication reduced the frictional force, especially for small die clearances. Finally, the cause of the frictional force was investigated by identifying the relevant springback modes of the slugs. This was carried out by correlating the slugs' deflection, oversize, and clean cut height with the frictional force. Especially the slug oversize, i.e. the difference between the slug's diameter and the die's inner diameter, revealed a strong correlation. Calculations showed that the deformation in radial direction is the main cause of the frictional force between slug and die. It suggests that the slug oversize is a good measure for the magnitude of the frictional force.

Belt Feeder for Biomass Mixing

Level of agricultural productivity has been increased and also increased land area not utilized for food production. This area can be used for growing energy crops, including grasses. In addition, there are non-agricultural lands in Latvia suitable only for growing energy crops like Reed canary grass etc. Reed canary grass growing for energy needs could be an additional source of income for Latvian farmers, whom have harvesting technique for hay, for example dairy farming. It could be also a local heat energy source if wood in farm area is not available. Pelletizing or briquetting of dried herbaceous biomass has several advantages such as increasing energy density, improving storability and reducing handling and transport costs, but remains, of the fuel quality negatively affecting things, such as high ash and chlorine content (wheat straw 0.1 – 2.3%). Therefore, to reduce ash content and corrosion of heat transfer surfaces suggestible to make blends with others biomass where those parameters are lower. Briquettes of herbaceous biomass blends with peat are denser, durabler and take less energy for briquetting and pelleting. A new mixing method in this article is described. Experiments of biomass feeding in mixing process with belt feeder were done. The throughput of the belt feeder is increasing nearly linearly at feeder belt velocity from 0.18 to 0.89 m·s-1. The specific throughput of belt feeder was evaluated for Reed canary grass. Noticeable influence of the belt velocity on the specific throughput of belt feeder was not found.

Three-Dimensional Design and Finite Element Analysis of Belt Feeder

AS belt feeder is widely used in various material handling industry ,the existing belt feeder belts often torn belt deviation and many other disadvantages , and in view of research status at home and abroad , this paper uses three-dimensional software Solid Works on tape feeder three-dimensional analog design , and through the ANSYS finite element analysis on the drum , the existing coal feeder belt is significant improvement , and can effectively reduce the cost of manufacturing and testing , as for on-site production and technical personnel to provide research references.