Design and modeling of auger conveyor
Students Name: Boiko Maksym Andriiovych
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: Computer Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Institute: Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Transport
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2025-2026 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: Object of research – screw conveyor. Subject of research – the design of the screw conveyor, its three- dimensional model, construction of a mathematical model, strength calculation of conveyor elements, and its parametric study. The aim of the thesis is the development of a screw conveyor design using CAD/CAE systems, creation of its mathematical and 3D models, parametric study of its operation, and verification of the strength of its main assemblies. The introduction briefly presents the purpose of the thesis, its relevance, and practical significance. It also provides a descriptive overview of the operating principle of screw conveyors, their invention history, a short description of designs, and areas of application. The first chapter describes the operating principle of the screw conveyor, the feasibility of its application areas, its typology and classification scheme. The necessity of studying the screw conveyor design is considered both for improving the process of transporting bulk materials and for enhancing the design to ensure portability of the conveyor itself for convenient storage, relocation, and transformation from folded to working position and vice versa. Based on the classification scheme, the type and parameters of the conveyor were selected for further design development, CAD and mathematical modeling, parametric analysis, and strength calculations of individual elements. The second chapter presents the calculation of the screw conveyor. For the design and calculation of the structure, development of corresponding models, and subsequent analysis, a screw conveyor for transporting bulk materials was selected with the following parameters: type – inclined, closed; transported material – millet; lifting height – 2 meters; required capacity – 5 tons per hour. Based on the analysis of designs and calculation methodology of screw 7 conveyors of the chosen type, calculations of the main parameters were carried out to ensure the specified productivity of bulk material transportation, calculation of power, and justification of parameters of principal features and structural elements, such as screw pitch, screw diameter, screw surface shape, motor power, conveyor length and inclination angle. The screw diameter was calculated from the dependence of planned productivity on the filling factor of the working space, bulk density of grain, screw shaft rotation speed, and the ratio between screw pitch and diameter, which was adopted as the standard one-to-one ratio. The shaft power was calculated based on the lifting height of the material, the weight of the shaft with screw, and the axial velocity of cargo movement. All these values were determined in the calculation section. Grain damage was also calculated, which amounted to a maximum of 5.95% damaged grain per hour, meaning that out of the 5 tons of material transported, no more than 250 kg was damaged, which according to modern standards is an acceptable value. A calculation of the keyway for connecting the screw to the motor drive was performed. The key was mathematically calculated and verified for strength for the given design. Strength calculation of the screw conveyor housing was also carried out, with justification of the frame design. At the end of the second chapter, conclusions are presented regarding the calculations and design solutions. The third chapter presents the design of the screw conveyor using CAD systems: assemblies of the screw conveyor, screw, support units, housing, drive, loading and unloading throats were constructed. A parametric study was conducted on the influence of screw pitch, motor power, motor rotation speed, and other parameters on the productivity of bulk material transportation. The analysis results are presented in the form of corresponding graphs and conclusions. This chapter also proposes an improved screw conveyor design. The improvements are aimed at: 8 enabling and facilitating the process of transforming the conveyor from folded to working state (folding–unfolding), which is important both for storage and for transportation; enabling regulation of loading–unloading speed, which also allows for a lower percentage of grain damage during transportation. The importance and feasibility of studying this type of conveyors is summarized with the aim of improving design, calculations, and graphical analysis, which contribute to enhancing the quality of operation of transport units and production as a whole. Conclusions present the general findings of the work. Keywords: screw conveyor, productivity, screw pitch, inclination angle, rotation speed, bulk material, parametric study, screw surface, transportation mechanism, technical analysis.