Model and Simulation of Alternative Horizontal Motion Transportation Systems

Abstract

The alternative horizontal motion conveyors allow transporting bulk products while minimizing impact and friction between particles, reducing product breakage. This type of equipment achieves product advancement through an open channel by alternating the movement of the channel in the direction of transportation, followed by a faster movement in the opposite direction, thus causing a sliding phase of the product. The transport speed is limited by channel-product friction phenomena and the kinematics of the channel's movement.

Although this type of equipment was introduced over three decades ago, no works describing the relationship between the kinematic parameters of the channel's movement and the horizontal transport speed of the product have been found in the open academic literature. These relationships are crucial for the optimal design of these conveying systems.

The development of a simulation model for alternative horizontal motion conveyors is presented, which allows calculating the product speed based on static and dynamic friction coefficients and the kinematic description of the channel. This model has been validated through experimental measurements carried out on a previously constructed prototype.