Explicit simulations of web transport through process machines using periodic media analysis technique

Abstract

In this paper, the periodic media analysis (PMA) technique in Abaqus/Explicit [1] has been applied to simulate multiple cases of web transport through process machines. The Abaqus models for web transport developed in the Web Handling Research Center (WHRC) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) all have long free upstream spans, which are required to achieve steady state for post-simulation analysis. This increases model size and complexity, induces longer simulation run time and limits applications of simulations. The primary goal of introducing PMA to web handling modeling is to create simulation models which take a shorter time to run. The PMA technique is a Lagrangian technique that offers a Eulerian-like view into a moving structure. Models created using this technique have smaller sizes, and the simulation run time is significantly reduced compared to OSU models [2]. In this work, the moment transfer due to roller misalignment case has been modeled using the PMA technique. The results, e.g. lateral displacements and moment distribution, are compared to OSU model results and experimental results. The comparisons show good agreements. More importantly, the PMA model takes a much shorter time (about 40% less) to conduct. Two more cases, actual wrinkle formation and web with non-uniformity running through rollers, have been modeled using PMA as well. The simulation results from the actual wrinkle formation case agree with the wrinkle failure criterion [3] based upon Timoshenko's shell buckling theory [4]. The web with non-uniformity case indicates the capability of PMA to study complex web structures.