Prospects for the automation of a feed mini-plant

Automation of a mini feed mill will eliminate the human factor in the management and control of the feed production process. The authors conducted research to improve the efficiency of the mini feed mill through automatic control and regulation of grain crushing. Automation of the control systems for grain crushing is feasible in case of mechanized regulation of grain material supply into a pneumatic hammer mill. The authors proposed a model for a remote automatic control system for the loading device (ejector) of a pneumatic hammer mill. The proposed design takes into account the specified mass of the component according to the feed formulation, the current consumed by the hammer mill, and the comparison of image datasets of the specified components with the video stream of raw materials entering the mill. To implement the proposed model, they developed an ejector with remote control of the air suction window flap via a “Bowden cable”. Experimental testing of its functionality has shown a relationship between the ejector’s performance and the area of the air suction window with an approximation reliability of 0.9985. As a result, the research has proven that the proposed technical solution is capable of automatic regulation of the performance of a pneumatic hammer mill. There are further plans to develop a servo drive for smooth movement of the “Bowden cable” in both forward and reverse directions, as well as instant shutdown of material supply upon reaching the specified component mass or in case of emergency.

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