Computer Simulation on Centrifugal Barrel Surface Finishing Based on Discrete Element Method

According to the motion features of abrasive particles and workpieces in centrifugal roller, considering the abrasive particles and workpieces as two kinds of ball particles with different materials and sizes, 3-Dimensional Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to build the dynamics model of single abrasive particles and workpieces motion. Based on such model, in this paper, the influence of rotation-revolution ratio on medium movement was mainly analyzed. Supposing filling ratio as 20%, mixing ratio as 1.5:1 and revolution speed as 180r/min, the movement procedure of medium within centrifugal roller was respectively simulated under the different cases of rotation-revolution ratio as -0.13, -1 and -2, then the velocity variation diagram and the average contact forces diagram for abrasive particles or workpieces under different rotation-revolution ratio were obtained, the simulation results are basically coincident to the experimental results. Both results have proved that rotation-revolution ratio is the main parameter that changes medium motion law, which provides a very efficient way to further optimize design parameters and process parameters, as well as to improve production efficiency.