EDEM Material Modelling: Conveyor belt

Introduction to EDEM Simulation Model Setup

Overview of the Tutorial

• This tutorial focuses on setting up and analyzing an EDEM simulation model that utilizes a conveyor belt for transporting material to a hopper.

Initial Setup Steps

• Begin by configuring the required units for the simulation, followed by defining roles and specifying bulk and equipment materials.

Defining Particle Shapes

• After establishing bulk material properties, create particle shapes for the bulk material by adding a multisphere particle.

• Import a CAD template of a rock and fit four spheres to its shape. Adjust mesh control settings to default while visualizing the imported template.

Adding Particle Properties

• Add another sphere in the particle shape configuration; ensure to tick the imported template option in rock particle properties before calculating properties.

• Set size distribution parameters for bulk material, selecting user-defined options as needed.

Equipment Material Properties and Conveyor Geometry

Inputting Equipment Properties

• Enter interaction properties between bulk and equipment materials before importing conveyor geometry into the model.

Conveyor Motion Configuration

• Set units to millimeters with default mesh settings; rename sections appropriately before adding conveyor translation motion.

• Configure two motions: one lasting two seconds with specified acceleration, and another constant velocity of two meters per second starting at three seconds.

Creating Particle Factory Geometry

Defining Particle Generation Area

• Create polygon geometry for particle generation, setting it as virtual since it's not part of physical machinery. Define position, size, and initial parameters for particles created at 50 kilograms per second.

Simulation Domain Settings

• Set time step, simulation duration, and data output frequency. Choose between CPU or GPU solvers based on requirements.

Post-processing Results in EDEM Analyst

Configuring Display Options

• Use display section in analyst tree to configure element appearances; uncheck display particle factory visibility while representing rock particles using templates.

Color Coding Particles

• Color particles according to mass values by adjusting minimum (zero kg.) and maximum (0.8 kg.) thresholds; color belt geometry based on velocity.

Monitoring Elements During Simulation

Creating Selections for Tracking

• Develop selections that monitor elements passing through specific areas or track movements within the domain; set properties accordingly for grid bin groups.

Querying Mass Data

• Establish queries comparing total mass of particles across different bin groups; repeat steps for hopper group queries focusing on total mass over time.

Real-time Data Visualization

Displaying Mass Information

• Enable on-screen query checkboxes to visualize mass data in viewer windows during playback; replicate this process for hopper group visualization.

Exporting Data Configurations

• Define export configurations capturing averages, maximum/minimum values from bin group data starting from approximately 6.3 seconds into simulation. Select relevant output options before exporting data files.