The Motion Simulation of Ham Kneading Machine and the Finite Element Analysis of Key Parts

Abstract

Yunnan traditional dry-cured ham has been mainly produced by manual process and lacks support of machining equipment, which would lead to many problems such as unsteady quality and low productivity. To improve the quality of Yunnan ham, a ham kneading machine was developed to knead and massage fresh ham. The machine utilizes the combined effect of cams striking and rollers rolling to replace the traditional manual processing method. A three-dimensional virtual simulation study was carried out based on the SolidWorks design platform so as to further understand the motion mechanism and structural strength of the new-type machine. A three-dimensional parametric model of the ham kneading machine was established; SolidWorks Motion was used to simulate and analyze the motion and force conditions of the ham kneading process; SolidWorks Simulation was used for the static strength analysis of key parts and modal analysis of the frame. The simulation results show that: fresh ham keeps vibrating in the entire kneading process; the kneading force varies with the ham shape and cam phase with its peak value of 994N; the assurance coefficients of roller shaft and pressure shaft are respectively 3.395 and 5.148; the stress amplitudes are respectively 81.22Mpa and 53.56Mpa, which are both smaller than the yield limits of the structures, indicating the structural strength is adequate; the frequencies of the first four order modals of the frame are 30Hz, 32Hz, 38Hz and 50Hz, all avoiding the external excitation frequency generated by the kneading action of cams and motor operation, thus preventing resonance effectively. The research provides an important reference for subsequent prototype test and structure optimization of ham kneading machines.