A Modeling and Simulation Approach for the Design of Linear Feeding Systems in Industrial Automation

Abstract

The optimal design of linear feeding systems, individually tailored to the parts to be processed, is still a considerable challenge in today's industrial automation. Overall objective is to optimize the throughput of correctly sorted and aligned parts, depending on the individual geometries as well as various material and system parameters. However, there is a lack of a detailed understanding of the complex feeding process, the relevant parameters, and their impact on the transport behavior. Therefore, the design of vibrating conveyors today is still mainly based on experience. In this work, we present an approach for the modeling and simulation of such feeding systems with focus on the parts' transport process, and illustrate its potential to support the design phase of vibrating conveyors by an exemplary test case.