Digital Motion – Tuning RNA drives with our simulation software

In a nutshell, Digital Motion is a tool that helps combat the shortage of specialists in feeding technology, because the know-how for tuning RNA drives is contained in the software. Any user can now optimize the running behavior of their RNA drives with Digital Motion and thus optimally design their tooling solution.

Since last year, component customers have been able to tune their RNA drives with the Digital Motion simulation software. In the meantime, 54 drives have been digitized and 112 different leaf spring combinations are available for bowl feeders and linear feeders. The process is very simple and comprises four steps. We would like to show you how it works based on the example of an SLL 800-type linear feeder and a orienting rail.

Step # 1: Designing the rail

The starting point for any simulation is 3D CAD data. In the first step, the orienting rail is designed in CAD. Since the mass properties such as weight, center of gravity and moment of inertia are required for the simulation, each component must be assigned the corresponding material (e.g. steel, aluminum or plastic). Once the rail has been designed, it can be built onto the SLL drive in the digital world.

Step # 2: Pre-processing

RNA component customers can register for free on our platform www.designforfeeding.com/digitalmotion to access the simulation interface. The simulation is cloud-based, so does not need to be installed locally and is accessible from any device. The rail designed in Step #1 can now be saved out as an stl file and imported into Digital Motion. The mass properties from the CAD must also be entered into the simulation software. This is done quite simply by copy-paste. In a final step, the desired leaf springs can be digitally installed, and the set-up is then ready for simulation.

Step # 3: Optimizing the running behavior

It only takes about 10 seconds to determine the running behavior of a drive. Within a very short time, you can evaluate precisely how the drive will behave with a given parameter set. A few mouse clicks are all it takes to change the number and angle of attack of the leaf springs, or to add or remove additional masses from the counterweight. The user clicks the "Solve” button again and sees the change in running behavior after just 10 seconds. Knowledge about tuning a drive is therefore no longer in the heads of a few employees, but rather in the simulation software. You can find out about its running behavior in advance without any major workshop effort.

Step # 4: Installation instructions and documentation

Once an optimal setup of leaf springs and exciter masses has been found, installation instructions for the SLL setup can be generated as a PDF file with a single click. These instructions also serve as documentation about the properties of the drive, including the orienting rail, and contain all relevant information such as natural frequency, leaf spring configuration and vibration angle curve. Thus, by following the instructions, even untrained personnel can set up an RNA drive to run perfectly.

Digital Motion makes it possible for any user to tune RNA drives easily and quickly, regardless of their level of experience. The drive tuning documentation, which requires little effort to prepare and is available in the cloud at any time, significantly facilitates after-sales service. If you are interested in further information about our simulation software, please contact our colleagues at RNA Digital Solutions in Munich: kontakt@designforfeeding.com or +49 (0) 1515 99 28 255.