Simulation of positioning accuracy of large scale TKY-joints tubes grouping equipment

Large scale TKY-joints tubes grouping equipment accomplishes welding positioning task of circular hollow section joints made up of 2.0 to 2.6m diameter steel chord tubes and two sets of branch tubes with a angle of 90 degree by rotating polyurethane rubber wheels. The positioning accuracy of grouping equipment determines the welding accuracy and welding efficiency. By using the Transient Structural module of ANSYS, finite elements models of TKY-joints tubes grouping equipment and welds were established and the rotating positioning process was simulated. The specific methods to characterize the positioning accuracy were studied, and the positioning deviation rules of the grouping equipment under different structural parameters of the welds were obtained. The results indicate that with the increase of the number and length of welded branch tubes, the eccentricity of welded becomes more serious, which leads to reduction of the positioning accuracy, and the deviation of rotating distance of welds increases with the increase of rotating time. The results provide theoretical guidance for the positioning correction of large scale TKY-joints tubes grouping equipment.