Simulation and optimization of a chain conveyor

Abstract

The goal of the present research was to develop a simulation model of the conveyor system in textile spinning production and to use statistical methods for the analysis and multi-objective optimization of the manufacturing process. In particular we discuss problems involving functional dependence of the chain pull, drive power, time in system, length of queues and waiting times from the speed of chain, carrier steps and operational capacity of the served equipment. The life time for conveyor system is determined by fatigue of its parts, caused by an external load, which is random in nature. The dynamic loading on a chain, drive etc. has a complicated structure, which mainly depends on irregularity of the material flow. We show how simulation and statistical analysis are influenced in the design methodology of chain accumulating conveyor system. Aspects of experimental design in simulation and multiple response optimization of such systems are discussed. The report phase of this work is the determination of the optimum speed of conveyor, step of carriers and total capacity of the technological machines for the criteria of minimum drive power, time in system, lengths of queues, etc. No substantive published work has been located which deals with these fundamental issues. © 2008 Civil-Comp Press.