Mathematical Modelling Approach for Optimization of a Rotary Hook Feeder

Abstract

Modern production system requires a high degree of automation for the feeding and handling of small, individual components, which tends to reduce both the production time and human labour. Mechanized feeders are used to bring components to be fed, from a disorderly state into the required orientation in required quantity for a particular process. Present study has been carried out with regard to the analysis of performance of a Rotary Hook feeder under certain variable factors. For this, the above-mentioned feeder has been developed. A series of experiments were carried out on cylindrical parts, and effect of different input parameters on the feed rate was studied graphically. Experimentation shows that the performance of this feeder depends upon various factors such as part population, number of hooks, speed, part sizes and blind/through-holed parts. However, only the first three parameters have been studied in the present case, and a mathematical model has been formulated. The design of experiments is done using 2³ full-factorial method. Significance of individual factors as well as their interactions is examined using Design Experts Software. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method is used to predict proficiency of the model. This model also provides optimized feed rate for appropriate process parameters under given constraints.