Video Gallery

View examples of standard and advanced applications of EDEM simulation, including videos from our customers in industry and academia.

Heavy Equipment

EDEM applications for mining machinery, construction equipment and agricultural machinery.

Dump Truck Unloading Material into Hopper

EDEM can be used to aid the design process of dump truck bodies. Realistic material modeling allows users to test dump truck performance in different operating conditions by analyzing loading/unloading patterns or pressure distributions.

Excavator Bucket Design Optimization

EDEM can be used to optimize the design of excavator buckets - providing key insight into equipment performance. Different designs can be compared for handling a range of materials such as rocks, gravels or more cohesive materials. Key information on loading time, spillage and wear can be visualized and analyzed – enabling more design optimization improvements to be made.

Combine Harvester: Screw Auger Systems & Grain Sieving

EDEM capabilities allow for simulation of various processes inside a combine harvester, including screw auger systems and grain sieving. EDEM advanced customization capabilities also enable modeling of flexible straws to analyze their behavior in straw walkers, cutting heads and other fragments of a combine.

Loading of a Bulldozer Blade Using EDEM with ANSYS (DEM-FEA)

EDEM provides high-fidelity load distribution based on the specific forces acting on the dozer during operation. The resulting loading profile is then used as part of an ANSYS Mechanical structural analysis to understand the durability and structural integrity of the dozer.

Excavator Bucket Deformation under Realistic Bulk Material Loads Using EDEM-Abaqus (DEM-FEA)

The EDEM-Abaqus sequential coupling enables engineers to export realistic bulk material loads from EDEM and use them as direct input to Abaqus FE simulations. Using high-fidelity loads in SIMULIA Abaqus provides engineers with greater insight into equipment performance and means improved design accuracy as well as reduced prototyping costs.

Overview of the EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) Co-simulation Solution

Combining EDEM with Adams of MSC Software allows engineers to introduce realistic bulk material behaviors to their multi-body dynamics (MBD) simulations, and offers engineers unrivaled insight into how material loads are transferred throughout a mechanical system.

Excavator Digging through Material Using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) Coupling

EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) coupling is used to define the motion of the excavator as it digs through different materials. Force and spillage analysis can be performed for different operating conditions. Using the prescribed motion represents an ideal digging scenario and can be used to estimate the power requirements on the actuators.

Grab Bucket Simulation Using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD)

This video was created using 'EDEM for Adams'. It shows a cycle of a Grab Bucket system picking up a load of loose bulk material and transporting it prior to unloading. The structural components highlighted in blue were modelled as flexible parts in MSC Adams to increase the fidelity of the simulation results and allowed for a durability analysis within the MBD software.

Skid-steer Loader Operating through Woodchips Using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD)

Skid-steer loader operating its loading and unloading cycle through a pile of woodchips. All systems dynamics are controlled by Adams (MBD) of MSC Software with force feedback from the EDEM material (DEM).

Combine Harvester: Corn Ear Detachment

***Courtesy of Budapest University of Technology and Economics*** Simulation of agricultural crops is becoming much more widespread, including interactions among fibrous materials in agriculture (stalks and stems) and machine parts. This study focuses on developing a new discrete element model (DEM) for maize to analyze the complex phenomena in a corn head, particularly during harvesting.

Tire-Ground Interaction of All-Terrain Vehicle using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) Coupling

In this EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) co-simulation, the forces from the soil acting on the tires are calculated in EDEM and then transferred to Adams of MSC Software. Adams uses these forces to calculate the motion of the component parts of the all-terrain vehicle as it travels across the soil and over the non-uniform terrain.

Four-wheel Drive Loader Using EDEM-RecurDyn (DEM-MBD)

This video shows the performance analysis of a four-wheel drive loader simulated using EDEM coupled with RecurDyn (DEM-MBD). It shows a comparison of the loader as it goes through two different materials types (dry & light vs sticky & heavy) and how those materials affect system design.

Dragline Bucket Modeled Using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) Coupling

***Courtesy of VR Steel*** Dragline bucket design with a full set of rigging is modeled by coupling 105 individual components between Adams of MSC Software and EDEM. This gives valuable insight regarding hoist & drag forces, optimal carry angle and design for soil flow improvement.

Potato Harvester: Assess Grading, Segregation Performance & Crop Damage

EDEM simulation of conveying potatoes through a fragment of a potato harvester. The equipment parts simulated include picking table web, grading rollers and a floor bunker. The video demonstrates how EDEM can be used to test different equipment designs and presents examples of analysis that can be performed.

Tractor Tire-Soil Interaction

When looking at machine-material (for example, tyre & soil) interaction, EDEM can provide insights into regions where the material is likely to stick and provide more realistic traction forces or pressure distribution.

Dump Trucks Unloading Adhesive Material

Dump trucks have to be as efficient as possible in order to reduce the time and travels needed for transportation. EDEM can give insight into regions where the material is likely to stick, the quantity of material that will stick and the effect of geometry on material adhesion

Grain Handling: Corn Commingling in Boot of Silo

***Courtesy of Kansas State University*** The video shows simulation of grain flow behavior in a grain handling system. Infested grains commingling in boot of silo reduce the level of purity of grain in an elevator and impede new quality-based grain handling systems. The results of the project aim to accurately predict the impurity levels from grain commingling, improve grain handling operations and develop better insect pest management programs.

Tractor Pulling Plough Using EDEM-MBD Coupling

EDEM is coupled with ‪‎Multi-Body Dynamics tool to simulate plow and tire interaction with soil. Tractor, plow and wheels are modeled as separate bodies to show the interaction of the plow and soil and understand the effects of soil on the motion of the tractor.

Dragline Bucket Design Comparison Using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) Coupling

***Courtesy of VR Steel*** EDEM is coupled with Adams of MSC Software (DEM & MBD) to compare two taper bucket designs. This coupled simulation enables VR Steel to compare the mass inside the bucket vs. time and the force required to drag the bucket. Normalizing this data, VR Steel can optimize a bucket to provide the best filling characteristics whilst minimizing drag force. (Video compiled using Ensight)

Tracked Mini-Excavator Using EDEM-Adams (DEM-MBD) Coupling

EDEM & Adams (DEM-MBD) coupling allows users to monitor the loads acting on different components of the system. The video reflects both the forces acting on the front blade as it pushes material into the cavity, as well as analyzing the amount of material that has been filled. With the cavity full, the mini-excavator can then continue on its way.

Multi-Paddle Conveyor Dynamics of Coffee Harvester for Crop-Flow Modeling

***Courtesy of CNH Industrial*** The EDEM Dynamics Coupling Interface was used to control the motion of multiple geometries (paddles) for a coffee harvester. Lower left: Perspective view of full system. Upper right: Perspective view of elevator discharges, upper conveyor and unload conveyor. Lower right: Perspective view of elevator inlets and cross augers.

Flexible Stalk Sieving

This simulation features extensive use of EDEM Application Programming Interface (API) to simulate sieving of particles. The flexible fibers modeled use a bonded particle capability. They are constructed from linear arrays of spheres bonded at their contacts with the bonding model chosen to allow flex.

Simulation of Maize Harvesting

***Courtesy of Budapest University of Technology and Economics*** EDEM is used to simulate the interaction among fibrous agricultural materials (stalks and stems) and machine parts. The mechanical properties of the bonded structure of the different maize parts were calibrated by the typical loading cases during harvesting: transversal compression, three-point bending, dynamic cutting and ear-detachment. The interactions among the plant and parts of the machine were analyzed in detail to obtain information about the loads and working efficiency of the parts of interest: the stalk rollers, the chopping unit and the gathering chains. A finite element analysis was also carried out on the left stalk roller by using the one-way coupling option between EDEM and ANSYS.

Simulation of Rotary Spader Interacting with Soil

*** Courtesy of University of South Australia*** The rotary spader is a tillage machine which mixes soil layers and incorporates surface material or applied products, such as stubble, manure and fertilizer. The soil is represented with a Hysteretic spring- linear cohesion contact model, with 2.5 million spherical particles with a size range between 6-15mm diameters. Full size geometry was used and the spader was operated at 3km/h with a working depth of 300mm. The working depth was divided into 3x100mm layers to show the layer mixing and surface burial operation of this type of Agricultural machine.

Plough Tillage Tool Going through Bed of Sand-Like Material

Simulation of a typical tillage tool geometry going through a bed of material with sand-like properties.

Mining & Metals

EDEM applications in the mining, mineral processing and metals industries.

Evaluation of a Vibration Screening Process

This video, produced in collaboration with HL Atacama, shows how EDEM can be used to simulate and analyze a Vibration Screening process. Sensors can be added to measure the total passed mass and data can be exported to analyze the screening process and estimate the efficiency of the decks. The screening decks can be colored by tangential or normal cumulative contact energy to visualize where the geometry is most likely to wear. Grid Bin Groups can also be added to find out where particles cluster.

Ball Mill Simulation and Analysis

This video shows the inside of a Semi Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mill, a key machine for grinding crushed materials in mining. Optimize your SAG Mill operation using EDEM tools for analyzing the motion of rocks and balls, power consumption, wear and ball particle distribution through time. Use EDEM Analyst features and export simulation results to help predict and control the performance of SAG Mills.

Coal Wagon Performance Analysis

This video shows a wagon being loaded with coal, and then unloading into a hopper through the bottom trap doors. With the use of EDEM simulation, different designs can be compared and tested in order to optimize the loading/unloading processes, minimize spillage and identify greater wear areas.

Transfer Chute with Rock Box

The video presents some of the capabilities of EDEM BulkSim and focuses on different visualization techniques and analysis that can be performed on a transfer chute using the software. The presented tools can be utilized to virtually test different designs, assess their performance and visualize and present the obtained data effectively.

Segregation and Mixing of Limestone & Coke

Simulation of limestone and coke being loaded into a cylindrical metallic hopper. EDEM can provide insight into the filling and segregation of the mix of material. Distribution and increase of the mass of each material in the hopper over time can be analyzed.

Loading of Blast Furnace: Layering, Distribution and Dispersal

EDEM can be used to virtually examine the operation of charging devices in order to optimize materials distribution and dispersal. It can also help predict areas of excessive equipment wear and investigate and minimize segregation in the loading process.

Coal & Filter Cake Transfer Chute with Flopgate

***Courtesy of Hatch*** Transfer chute transporting two types of material – product coal and filter cake at 1,200 tonnes/hr. The EDEM BulkSim simulation shows virtual testing performed with the new flopgate design. Material velocity profiles and abrasive forces on the equipment were analyzed at both standard operating conditions and specific worst case scenarios.

Blockage in Micro-Ledged Transfer Chute

***Courtesy of Bulk Materials Engineering Australia*** This simulation reflects blockage that occurs within minutes. With EDEM BulkSim, the design of this micro-ledged chute was tested to assess potential risk of material build-up and blockage and improve its performance.

Ore Flow in Transfer Chute with Multiple Flow Paths

***Courtesy of DRA Minerals*** In this video, the flow of ore is simulated in a transfer chute with 3 flow paths at 585 tons per hour.

Wood Chips in Pipe Conveyor with Cleated Belt

***Courtesy of Greentechnical (South Africa)*** EDEM was used for testing possible flow modifications to a low tonnage chute, where wet wood chips plugged to the receiving belt. EDEM demonstrated that material would not move forward on the conveyor, therefore, a cleated belt was added to push forward the wet wood chips.

Splitter Bin Discharge onto Conveyor Belt

***Courtesy of Greentechnical (South Africa)*** EDEM was used for design verification of splitter bin. Simulations helped to confirm that the material discharged from the back mass flow chute onto the conveyor belt would pass underneath the front mass flow chute, which was the concern of the client.

Run-off-mine Tip Bin

***Courtesy of Greentechnical (South Africa)*** EDEM was used to optimize the design of a Run-off-mine tip bin and to show the client how the bin would operate.

Bin Discharge into Skip/Container

***Courtesy of Greentechnical (South Africa)*** In this video a bin weigh flask is discharging into a skip/container situated on a truck. EDEM was used to check the bulk material’s discharge impact pressure onto the skip floor. Because the slag material is sticky and required a large mass flow opening to prevent arching and to efficiently fill the skip/container, the discharge flow rate is very high. With EDEM, an estimated relationship between the discharge pressure on the skip floor vs the discharge flow rate was obtained. This was used by truck suppliers to ensure their trucks can handle the impact loads. EDEM was also used to witness the weigh flask’s emptying time.

Process Manufacturing

EDEM applications in the pharmaceutical, chemicals, asphalt and consumer packaged goods industries.

Simulation of the Powder Raking Process in Additive Manufacturing

This simulation models over 8 million particles of less than 0.3mm in size. Large amounts of tiny particles are common in Additive Manufacturing applications. This video shows powder raking and how EDEM tools can be used to analyze voidage, particle orientation and number of contacts at different time steps. Similar simulations can guide the design and optimization of the powder rake and its speed.

Powder Spreading in Additive Manufacturing

***Based on Haeri et al. (2016)*** In additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing), the powder spreading process has a major impact on the characteristics and quality of the final product. EDEM can be used to simulate and analyze the powder spreading process - providing key insight that is otherwise hard to obtain. This video shows how EDEM can be used to investigate the impact of different parameters on the quality of the powder bed, evaluate powder spreading uniformity, assess degree of compaction and visualize the distribution of different powder layers.

Evaluation of Coating Uniformity in Seed Coating Process

***Courtesy of Leeds University*** EDEM is used to assess the uniformity of particle coating in a vertical drum seed coater. EDEM API is used for generating coating droplets and assessing particle-particle coating variation. Particles are visualized by amount of their coating liquid mass.

Tablet Mixing and Coating Using API

The EDEM Application Programming Interface (API) is used to create custom contact models and properties to simulate tablet coating process. The video demonstrates how EDEM can be used as a predictive tool to perform virtual testing and investigate the effects of parameters like tablet shape or coating pan speed on the coating uniformity.

Screw Auger Transporting Bulk Material

Screw augers are commonly used in agriculture, chemical and other industries such as food processing and bulk transport of grain, powders, pellets and other materials. EDEM is used to improve understanding of the flow of particles in the screw auger - looking to improve the performance of this equipment.

Powder Mixing in High Shear Granulator

The video presents how EDEM can be used to analyze the mixing efficiency within a High Shear Granulator filled with 10 million particles. In this example, the mixing process of two powders with different particle size is shown. EDEM allows to visualize mixing from different angles, color particles by velocity to see where particles stagnate and analyze the mixing effectiveness by showing the concentration of each type of particles in the mixer.

Pharmaceutical Tablet Compaction

This example shows an EDEM simulation of pharmaceutical tableting using the Adhesive Elasto-Plastic Contact Model. It can provide information about volume and bulk density changes in material, forces during compaction and tablet stability.

Wet Mixing Process of Precast Concrete

***Courtesy of IFF Weimar*** Precast concrete technology. This simulation shows the mixing process of dry and wet particles. Depending on the moisture content, cohesive forces act on the particles.

Axial Mixing of Tablets in Pan Coater

***Courtesy of Research Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering*** Movement and mixing of tablets during pharmaceutical coating process. Insight into the axial mixing can be gained by particle coloring, analyzing the velocity profiles and exporting important numerical data from EDEM.

Mixing Process of Aggregate Fractions in UEZ Mixer

***Courtesy of IAB Weimar*** EDEM is used to investigate the mixing process of 2 different-sized aggregate fractions in a UEZ mixer. Particles in EDEM can be colored by size for analysis of mixing and segregation problems or by velocity to spot areas of low material flow velocity, a potential for causing blockages in equipment.

Material Calibration Using Powder Rheometer & Mixing Process

***Courtesy of the University of Edinburgh*** This video describes the process of material model calibration in EDEM for two different powders and using the results for prediction of the mixing time and flow patterns within the mix.

Agglomeration Phenomena in High Shear Granulator

Using EDEM's Application Programming Interface (API) it is possible to model agglomeration. In this example there are 2 powder-like materials and one of them responds to agglomeration behavior. The user can specify the amount of liquid content in the agglomeration material which will affect the formation of clumps. The higher the liquid content, the easier it will be to create clumps. Furthermore, the bigger the clump, the bigger the attractive forces will be towards the agglomeration material particles.

Toner Transport in Laser Printer

EDEM can be used to study the transport of toner to optimize the systems and improve print quality and speed. This simulation uses the electrostatics module to attract the particles to the transfer drum.

Wood Chip Chute Feeding a Hammermill using EDEM-Fluent (DEM-CFD) Coupling

***Courtesy of Astec, Inc.*** This simulation considers the distribution of wood chips in a hammermill, having been fed via a transfer chute. The wood chips are distributed by a spreader plate, which aims to distribute the wood chips evenly. Astec found this was not happening and you can see a concentrated particle stream in the first half of the video, in the bottom left quadrant. By modifying the spreader plate the particles were redistributed more evenly, thereby improving the performance of the mill, as shown in the second half of the video.

Aggregates in Drum Dryer Using EDEM-Fluent (DEM-CFD) Coupling

***Courtesy of Astec, Inc.*** This video features air temperature vs. aggregate moisture in drum dryer. The data obtained from EDEM & CFD coupling was visualized using EnSight post-processing tool to show the fluid temperature field and the temperature change in time.

Asphalt Mixing in Roadtec Shuttle Buggy

***Courtesy of Astec, Inc.*** Temperature segregation in hot mix asphalt can cause poor road surface quality and premature degradation. The outer layer of the hot mix cools in the truck bed during transport to the job site. The Roadtec Shuttle Buggy eliminates temperature segregation by receiving and remixing the hot mix.

Aggregate Drum Dryer Showing Temperature

***Courtesy of Astec, Inc.*** Drying aggregate is a critical step in the production of hot mix asphalt. EDEM has been used extensively to optimize the internal features of Astec's drum dryers to facilitate maximum drying efficiency. This animation shows a DEM & CFD coupled simulation with the particles colored by temperature.

Dried Aggregates & Asphalt Cement Mixed in Double Barrel Drum Mixer

***Courtesy of Astec, Inc.*** The Astec Double Barrel Drum Mixer is used to mix dried aggregates with asphalt cement. This simulation shows the mixing process as particles are lifted and moved by the mixing tips affixed to the rotating inner drum. The simulation contains over 600,000 particles which are colored by velocity.

Aggregate Dryer Using EDEM-Fluent (DEM-CFD) Coupling #1

***Courtesy of Astec, Inc.*** This EDEM simulation shows the convective heat flux on particles inside an aggregate dryer. The parallel EDEM & CFD Coupling for ANSYS Fluent was used to capture the convective heat transfer along with a custom contact model to account for particle moisture. This coupled simulation technique allows Astec to optimize the dryer design for maximum efficiency.

Aggregate Dryer Using EDEM-Fluent (DEM-CFD) Coupling #2

"***Courtesy of Astec Inc.*** In this ‪CFD‬ & DEM co-simulation, EDEM and ANSYS Fluent are used by Astec, Inc. Particles are colored by moisture mass fraction. A custom contact model considers the energy lost from evaporation as a heat sink term in the heat calculations."

Research & Academia

EDEM applications in a wide range of research areas.

Continuous Extrusion (Conform) of Metal Powders

***Courtesy of University of Sheffield*** The Conform process has always been seen as a black-box process with very few people aware of how the metal flows within the tooling. This material flow is complicated further when using powder feedstocks that flow freely prior to consolidation and extrusion. By utilising EDEM it is possible to visualize how the metal powders flow into and around the machine tooling.

Rock Breakage in Cone Crusher

***Courtesy of Chalmers University*** EDEM can be used to test virtual prototypes of new crusher concepts. In this simulation the breakage of rocks is modelled using the bonded particle model approach. Particles are visualized by showing the bonds which provides a deeper insight into the breakage process.

Preventing Build-up of Cohesive Material in Chain Dryer

***Courtesy of Astec. Inc*** Two kiln chain configurations showing drum wear. The kiln chain is positioned to scrub the inner surface of the drum to prevent build up of cohesive material. EDEM API is used to make flexible chains out of particles.

Strand Flow in Rotary Drum Blender

***Courtesy of University of British Columbia*** EDEM is used to model a lab-scale glass-fronted Rotary Drum Blender and compare model predictions with real time observation of mill-run strands tumbling inside the lab blender. Getting an accurate model of strand flow is key to enable blending parameters to be adjusted in order to minimize the effects of surging.

Particle Suspension Dynamics Inside Flotation Cells Using EDEM-CFD

***Courtesy of University of Utah*** The video shows the results of CFD-DEM simulation of particle suspension by impeller-stator assembly. The CFD & DEM coupling is achieved using EDEM with ANSYS Fluent.

Log Debarking Using Particle Chain Links Impacting Bark Particles

***Courtesy of Astec. Inc*** This simulation makes use of the EDEM API to make flexible chains out of particles and simulate the log debarking process.

Soybean Grains in Conventional Mixed Flow Dryer

***Courtesy of Kansas State University*** The particles in the video represent soybeans in conventional mixed flow dryer. This simulation aims to determine the particle flow pattern as the grain particles descend from the hopper at the top of the mixed flow dryer to the vertical drying layers.

Particle Breakage in High Pressure Grinding Rolls

***Courtesy of Laboratório de Tecnologia Mineral COPPE/UFRJ*** Particle breakage in High Pressure Grinding Rolls using the particle replacement method. This model has been used to predict the effect of material properties on the operating gap and the load distribution on the surface of the rolls, demonstrating that it can effectively be used to predict the performance of the High Pressure Grinding Roll.

Dust Removal from Solar Panels Using Particle - Electromagnetic Field Interaction

***Courtesy of McGill University*** The Field Data Import was used to apply an electric field and calculate body forces acting on charged particles in the oscillating field. Used in devising methods for clearing dust from solar panels intended to operate in extraterrestrial environments.

Simulation of Fabric Falling Over Obstacle

***Courtesy of Braunschweig University of Technology*** This simulation shows a piece of fabric falling over an obstacle and onto the ground. The particles are connected to each other via a bond model so that they have properties comparable to those of a carpet. For better visualization cubic templates were placed over the particles. The particles first fall onto a cylinder which is not arranged centrally and then fall onto the floor. The behaviour is similar to that of fabrics. Matlab was used to create a CSV file containing the particle types and coordinates of the image displayed in order to assign the pixels to the particles.

Pneumatic Transport of Cohesive Dairy Powders Simulated with EDEM-CFD Coupling

***Courtesy of University of Limerick*** This coupled EDEM-Fluent simulation was performed to analyze the transport of cohesive powders by investigating the effect of varying gas velocity and the solid loading ratio on powder deposition and pipe clogging. Four cases of low/low, low/high, high/low and high/high gas to powder flow were simulated. The validated simulation will be used to assess the changes in design of conveying equipment for highly cohesive milk powders. The objective is to develop an effective method to reduce milk powder deposition, which could enhance the capacity of the conveying system.

Fluidized Bed Coffee Roaster Simulated Using EDEM-CFD Coupling

***Courtesy of Technical University of Ostrava*** This simulation shows several processes including fluidization, roasting of coffee seeds and pneumatic conveying. A 2-way EDEM-CFD coupled simulation was used to investigate the pneumatic conveying of roasted coffee seeds and reveals some transport issues.

Simulation of Four-Wheel Steering Rover for Planetary Exploration Using EDEM-MBD Coupling

***Courtesy of Politecnico di Torino*** The soft soil model was developed in EDEM and consists of two-sphere clumps and the multibody model of the vehicle was created using MSC Adams. The EDEM-Adams co-simulation framework allowed to analyze with great accuracy the wheel-soil interaction at particle-scale level and to study scenarios that involve terrain inhomogeneities, high sinkage and high slip ratios. In contrast to slip steering, the four-wheel steering system allows to decrease structural stresses, to improve vehicle stability and to reduce the turning radius.

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