Chute Design

Conveyor Dynamics, Inc. (CDI) has the experience and technology to evaluate the design of transfer chutes in material transport systems.

We use Rocky Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) software to evaluate and optimize conveyor transfer designs and, when necessary, we can couple DEM results with ANSYS to perform FEA and CFD analysis. These tools, combined with a proven method of material calibration, allow CDI to design low maintenance chutes for a wide variety of materials, including sticky materials such as clay fines combined with moisture.

The following video provides an example of how CDI engineers use Rocky DEM software to simulate transfer chutes, identify flow and structural problems, and test solutions.

Why hire CDI to analyze and optimize your conveyor transfer design?

Many companies choose to purchase DEM and CAD design software, hire design engineers, and invest in multi-core or GPU servers to maximize their processing power. However, using CDI for your design and testing needs has the following benefits:

√ Specialized Engineers
Our design engineers work exclusively on chutes and material handling designs, for this reason they have the skill and experience to understand and solve design.

√ Advanced DEM software
CDI uses Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) to evaluate and optimize conveyor transfer designs. Results can be combined with FEA and CFD analysis.

√ AutoCAD, Inventor and SolidWorks models
CDI uses Inventor for our 3D modeling, but we can work with client designs in most formats, including AutoCAD, Inventor, or SolidWorks. Furthermore, we also have the ability to evaluate any 3D STL, XGL and DXF model in Rocky DEM software.

√ Higher processing power
Our internal data center houses multiple large servers ranging from 32 to 80 processing cores, and numerous machines with multiple GPUs. This means that your simulations will run faster and you will get results faster by harnessing the power of our server.

The Benefits of DEM

Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) simulates granular material systems consisting of discrete particles within which each individual particle is followed as it interacts with other particles and with the boundary of the system. In the past 30 years, with advances in computing power and numerical algorithms, DEM software has evolved enormously and is now able to simulate millions of complex non-round shaped particles within acceptable time frames.

Additionally, DEM software has been expanded to integrate thermodynamics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and finite element method (FEM) programs. Today, the ability to model, analyze and optimize the complex behavior of bulk materials flowing through transfer channels has made the use of DEM software a powerful tool in the process of designing transfer channels. bulk materials.

Rocky DEM software helps CDI engineers to:

• Simulate particle flow through imported 3D CAD geometries
• Predict granular flow, energy consumption, and belt and liner wear
• Collect energy spectra of particles for studies of degradation and breakage of materials.
• Couple to FEA and CFD tools for structural, air flow and dust studies.
• Simulate the physical wear of the coatings.
• and more…

In turn, the results of the DEM studies help CDI create transfer chutes that:

• Increase the life of the strap and lining
• Reduce liner wear
• Eliminate blockages and damage to the strap
• Reduce spillage and product degradation.
• They reduce energy consumption
• Improve belt alignment
• Minimize wear and maintenance of the coating.
• Reduce dust emissions

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