Automated Shape Optimization of Orienting Devices for Vibratory Bowl Feeders

Abstract

Orienting devices for vibratory bowl feeders are still the most widely used system for the automated sorting and feeding of small parts. The design process of these orienting devices has recently been supported by simulation methods. However, this merely shifts the well-known trial-and-error-based adaption of the orienting device's geometry into virtual world. Yet, this does not provide optimal design and, furthermore, requires strong involvement of the developer due to manual shape variation. This paper proposes an optimization algorithm for the automated simulation-based shape optimization of orienting devices for vibratory bowl feeders. First, general formalisms to state the multiobjective optimization problem for arbitrary types of orienting devices and feeding parts are provided. Then, the implementation of the algorithm is described based on Bullet Physics Engine and random search optimization technique. Finally, comparison of simulation results with experimental data point out good accuracy and, thus, great potential of the developed shape optimization software.

Multiple-Material Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms Created Via PolyJet Three-Dimensional Printing

“…5 and resem bles solutions reported in Ref. [53]. The topology is near binary (solid-void), does not exhibit any one-node hinges, and satisfies the length scale prescribed by the designer.…”

“…They have been used in a wide range of applications, including manufacturing processes to optimize system design and order pol icy [46], system identification to obtain model parameters [47,48], identification of manufacturing process parameters [49], assembly system reconfiguration planning [50], sheet roll forming [51] and folding [52], and shape optimization of orienting devices [53]. Stochastic search algorithms, however, can be computationally expensive and may break down in high dimension spaces such as those of continuum topology optimization.…”

Automatic Selection and Sequencing of Traps for Vibratory Feeders

“…In the literature, simulation has primarily been used to validate a trap design, with some parameters manually set by a designer, but in the work by (Hofmann et al, 2013) an algorithm is presented for automatic parameter optimisation of trap mechanisms. This work also uses dynamic simulation for evaluation of trap performance and, in addition to the geometric shape of the trap, also incorporates the vibrational amplitude into the optimisation.…”

Configuration system for simulation based design of vibratory bowl feeders

“…Simulation has primarily been used to validate a specific design of traps, where the designer alters the trap parameters by observation [12]. To further reduce the production cost associated with manually altering trap parameters in an trialand-error manner, researchers have been using algorithmic approaches in an attempt to automatise the activity of finding optimal trap parameters.…”

“…Hofmann et. al [12] describe a simulation-based shape optimisation algorithm, to be used for automatically specifying optimal trap parameters and vibrational amplitude of a VBF. The optimisation algorithm have been tested with a single step trap, feeding a cuboid and a cylindrical-like object.…”