Project example 1: Simulation for lower vibrations in collating machines
Our customer is a Germany-based machine manufacturer with more than 1000 employees. The company produces, inter alia, bookbinding machines for the post-printing industry.
Problem definition
Collating machines are used to manufacture reviews, brochures and books with adhesive binding. They are used in post-print finishing lines to gather sheets in a desired order and convey them to the adhesive binder. The collating chain should run at an even speed and without vibrations or jerks to ensure gentle sheet transfer.
Problem solution
ITI engineers developed a custom-tailored simulation model, which allowed to analyse the dynamic properties of collating chains, their drives and tensioning devices. Response-relevant features like irregular movements at the chain inlet (polygon effect), non-linear responses to chain loads and variable-speed drives were taken into account. The engineers found that vibrations at the first natural frequencies of the system could be removed by adding a friction element that locks the tensioning device in position after pre-tensioning of the chain.
Benefits
The system oscillates with significantly lower amplitudes at a frequency corresponding to the chain inlet frequency at the wheels. This result means a considerable improvement of the system's behaviour. With the help of the ITI engineers and their simulation model it became possible to identify this change potential and to validate and implement these changes.