calculate load on bearing and maximize spacing 1

[RoeRu]

Hi to all,

I have an ongoing project which require me to calculate the load rolls on bearing. We called this a Traveling Shear Conveyor. It works like plowing on the commodity which are fruits and distribute it to the sides and fall on a packing table. Please look at the attached file to understand better what I'm talking about. I want to know if the rolls are enough to withstand the load. I don't know where to start and any help is much appreciated.

Best regards.

 

[jlnsol]

A first suggestion when checking the side wheels (shown section B-B) is to calculate these based on having a commodity load on just one side only. This to be able to withstand the excentric load in that worse case scenario.
A second suggestion is that obviously the weight of the total system will be carried by the 4 top rolls only provided that the rail profile is in between the top and bottom rolls. You know.
Additionally to the weight there may be a upward force from the rail on the top wheels as well from the commodity when acting on the inclined bottom plow parts.

 

[RoeRu]

@jlnsol, thanks for your suggestion. I uploaded a free-body diagram for the side load only. I assume that base on your first suggestion, there will be no load on pt 2&3. Do I have to calculate all the horizontal and vertical load? If you can show me any calculation, i would really appreciate it.

 

[jlnsol]

See the attached pdf which shows the calculations.
Since you talk about fruits in my opinion the commodity force you indicated is not vertical but rather perpendicular to the 45degr plow. Assuming perfect round apples for instance their contact forces are perpendicular on the scoop.
The rest is a matter of equations.

 

[RoeRu]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. I've been tinkering my equation and i wasn't able to get a good one. This really helps me a lot.