In Machinery, Machinery with Belts/Chains/Cables, Research

Simulation methods for conveyor belt based on virtual prototyping

Simulation methods for conveyor belt based on virtual prototyping

Kun Hu, Yong-cun Guo, Peng-yu Wang, International Conference on Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (MACE), Wuhan, June 2010, pp 2332-2334.

Abstract

Belt simulation is the key point of virtual prototyping (VP) technology for belt conveyor. ADAMS can carry on the simple conveyor belt simulation. For its low precision and heavy work, ADAMS is not suitable for belt conveyer VP modeling and simulation. A new simulation method based on RecurDyn is introduced in this paper. The conveyor belt is divided into finite discrete micro belt segments. With the connecting force, the adjacent belt segments are connected to simulate the continuous belt. The results show the correctness of this method and the feasibility of belt conveyor VP, and there are also some limitations in this method. Further, the simulation method of conveyor belt has important guiding significance for simulation of flexible cable, such as the steel rope.

How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

The RecurDyn Belt toolkit provides convenient entities for quickly modeling belt systems. This includes automatic and intelligent modeling, discretization, and assembly of a belt combined with fast calculating speed and convenient sensors. The author finds the belt capabilities in RecurDyn to be superior to that of ADAMS. The virtual prototype of this heavy-duty belt conveyor developed in RecurDyn could be used for future design problems instead of an expensive physical prototype.

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In Research, Tracked Vehicles General, Tracked Vehicles Robots

Trench-Crossing Capability Analysis of a Reconfigurable Tracked Mobile Robot

Trench-Crossing Capability Analysis of a Reconfigurable Tracked Mobile Robot

Hei Mo, Shang Jianzhong, Luo Zirong, Wang Zhuo, Intelligent Robotics and Applications, 2010, pp.509-518.

In Machinery, Machinery with Belts/Chains/Cables, Research

Mock-up of a support structure of the ITER vacuum vessel

Mock-up of a support structure of the ITER vacuum vessel

H.J. Ahn, J.W. Sa, Y.K. Kim, Y.S. Hong, J.H. Choi, T.H. Kwon, J.S. Lee, K.H. Park, T.S. Kim, W.I. Ha, I.S. Choi, B.C. Kim, K.H. Hong, C.H. Choi, Fusion Engineering and Design, June 2009, Volume 84, Issues 2-6, pp 375-379.

Abstract

The ITER vacuum vessel support systems located in the lower level sustain loads in radial and vertical direction. The support system consists of various sub-components like a linkage system, a pot type bearing, a vertical rope, a toroidal constraint, and dampers. In order to examine performance of the mechanism of the system, a mock-up of the linkage system which is comparatively complicated has been manufactured. Various fabrication methods were studied through the mock-up fabrication, and also several tests have been done using the mock-up. Those include assembly study, stroke test, static load test and fatigue test. In the full stroke test, the functional mechanism of the support structure has been demonstrated. In the structural test, the strength of the all components is evaluated by measuring reaction and strain of each component. In order to investigate the effect of tolerances and the damage due to the tests, the performance tests were conducted before and after the static and fatigue tests. The backlash for each stage is found from measured displacement hysteresis. As results of those tests, the performance of the ITER vacuum vessel support structure as well as its structural integrity has been evaluated in this study.

How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

RecurDyn was used to test the design of a vacuum vessel support system. The reaction forces at rotational joints, displacements, and rotation angles were obtained from the model. This information could be used to make intelligent design decisions regarding the geometry and materials used in the system.

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In Biomechanics, Multibody Dynamics, Research

Simulation of extension, radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist with a rigid body spring model

Simulation of extension, radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist with a rigid body spring model

S. Fischli, R.W. Sellens, M. Beek, Dr. Pichora, Journal of Biomechanics, Kingston, June 2009, Volume 42, Issue 9, pp 1363-1366.

Abstract

A novel computational model of the wrist that predicts carpal bone motion was developed in order to investigate the complex kinematics of the human wrist. This rigid body spring model (RBSM) of the wrist was built using surface models of the eight carpal bones, the bases of the five metacarpal bones, and the distal parts of the ulna and radius, all obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of a cadaver upper limb. Elastic contact conditions between the rigid bodies modeled he influence of the cartilage layers, and ligamentous structures were constructed using nonlinear, tension-only spring elements. Motion of the wrist was simulated by applying forces to the tendons of the five main wrist muscles modeled. Three wrist motions were simulated: extension, ulnar deviation and radial deviation. The model was tested and tuned by comparing the simulated displacement and orientation of the carpal bones with previously obtained CT-scans of the same cadaver arm in deviated (451 ulnar and 151 radial), and extended (571) wrist positions. Simulation results for the scaphoid, lunate, capitate, hamate and tri quetrum are presented here and provide credible prediction of carpal bone movement. These are the first reported results of such a model. They indicate promise that this model will assist in future wrist kinematics investigations. However, further optimization and validation are required to define and guarantee the validity of results.

How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

The high performance and robust contact modeling capabilities in RecurDyn are needed to simulate the complex interactions of bones in the wrist during the transition to various postures.

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In Nonlinear Dynamic System Theory, Research

A multibody-based dynamic simulation method for electrostatic actuators

A multibody-based dynamic simulation method for electrostatic actuators

Sangkyu Lee, Jinam Kim, Wonkyu Moon, Jinhwan Choi, Ilhan Park, Daesung Bae, Nonlinear Dynamics, October 2008, Volume 54, Issue 1, pp 53-68.

  • Abstract

    A numerical simulation method is developed to analyze the dynamic responses of electrostatic actuators, which are electromechanically-coupled systems. The developed method can be used to determine the dynamic responses of cantilever-type switches, which are an example of typical MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) devices driven by an electrostatic force. We propose the approach that adopts a point charge to deal with electric field effects between electrodes. This approach may be considered as a lumped parameter model for the electrostatic interactions. An advantage of this model may be the easy incorporation of the electrostatic effects between electrodes into a multibody dynamics analysis algorithm. The resulting equations contain the variables for position, velocity, and electric charge to describe the motion of the masses and the charges on the electrodes in a system. By solving these equations simultaneously, the dynamic response of an electrostatically-driven system can be correctly simulated. In order to realize this approach, we implement the procedures into RecurDyn, the multibody dynamics software developed by the authors. The developed numerical simulation tool was evaluated by applying it to cantilever-type electrostatic switches in many different driving conditions. The results suggest that the developed tool may be useful for predicting behaviors of electrostatic actuators in testing as well as in design.

    How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

    This paper proposes a method to simulate the dynamic behaviors of structures driven by electrostatic forces. This approach provides dynamic simulation results that describe the effects of large deformations of a structure and the electromechanical coupling inside a system. RecurDyn’s FFlex module allows finite element bodies to be analyzed during multibody dynamics simulations.

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In Latest News

March 24, 2008: Brant Ross to Co-Organize the 2009 Symposium on Multibody System Software Development and Applications in Education and Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brant Ross to Co-Organize the 2009 Symposium on Multibody System Software Development and Applications in Education and Industry

San Diego, August 30 – September 2

March 24, 2008 — YPSILANTI, Mich. – Brant Ross will be a co-organizer for the 2009 Symposium on Multibody System Software Development and Applications in Education and Industry, which will be held in conjunction with the International Conference on Multibody Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Control (MSNDC). This conference will be part of the ASME 2009 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (IDETC), to be held August 30 – September 2, 2009, at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.

MotionPort and FunctionBay both participate regularly in the conference, publishing 4 to 5 papers each time. Recent topics presented by MotionPort include: “History, Perspective and Outlook for Media Transport Simulation Using Multibody Dynamics”, and “Using Flexible Constraints to Reduce Noise in Multibody Systems with Intermittent Contact”. These are practical papers that focus on multibody dynamics applications.

A total of several hundred papers will be presented at the International Conference on Multibody Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Control (MSNDC). Papers submitted to this conference are also eligible for inclusion into the ASME Journal of Computational and Nonlinear Dynamics, as well as the Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control. For more information about ASME journals, please refer to: http://journaltool.asme.org/Content/index.cfm. For more information about the conference, please visit: www.rpi.edu/~anderk5/IDETC2009.

Note to Editors: RecurDyn is a trademark of Function Bay, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.