VacuumConveyor

This simulation component turns a selectable 3D object into a conveyor which fixes any touching dynamic object and moves them as configured.

When to use

Use this simulation component if you want to turn a 3D object into a conveyor which should be able to fix and move any touching dynamic object. This feature enables for example overhead conveyors as shown in the image below, where the green sheet is transported by the vacuum conveyor. By adding many conveyors, you can build and simulate complex conveyor systems.

How to use

Add this simulation component from the simulation component library. Define the 3D object, which acts as the conveyor by selecting a 3D object either in the 3D View window or in the Assembly Structure window using the select button in the Object3D property. By enabling the vacuum all touching dynamic objects are fixed on the conveyor.

Note

The rigid body behavior of the 3D object, which should act as a conveyor, must be static or kinematic. The dynamic objects, which are laying on or under that conveyor, will be moved if the simulation is running and an OutputSpeed is generated.

Tip

To get smoother simulation results when dealing with complex conveyor geometries, it is good practice to create a new box with the bounds of the conveyor and activate the conveyor on that box instead of the original 3D object. You can do that easily by selecting the 3D objects and then click Duplicate as box in the Assembly Structure window.

Parameters

ConveyorSpeed

The speed of the conveyor in m/s when the input MotorSpeed is 1.

LocalDirection

A value indicating the moving direction in the local coordinate system of the selected conveyor object.

Object3D

The 3D object which acts as a conveyor. The rigid body behavior of the object must be static or kinematic.

Inputs

MotorSpeed

An input indicating the speed of the conveyor in fractions of the parameter ConveyorSpeed. 1.0 means 100% of the parameter ConveyorSpeed.

EnableVacuum

An input indicating whether dynamic 3D objects are fixed to the conveyor or not.

Outputs

ConveyorSpeedInMps

An output indicating the current speed of the conveyor in m/s.

NumberGrippedObjects

An output indicating the number of objects which are currently fixed by the vacuum conveyor.

Example

In this example, the 3D object of a conveyor is selected as template. If the simulation is running, a simulation component outputs a speed value (in this case a ServoMotor simulation component outputs this value) and the input EnableVacuum is set to true, which is done by a PLCConnector simulation component, all dynamic 3D objects, which are touching the selected conveyor object, will be moved by the CurrentSpeedInMps in the LocalDirection X.