Optimization of the Transmission Tube of a Ball Mill Based on the EDEM-Workbench Method

The structural design of the transmission tube significantly influences its mechanical behaviour under operating conditions, making structural optimization crucial for improving the performance and reliability of a ball mill. In this paper, the response surface method and multi-objective genetic algorithm are used to carry out optimization research on the existing BM4213 ball mill transmission tube structure to address the problem of its large size and size-related material costs. Firstly, the discrete element simulation of a transmission tube based on the Altair EDEM software is carried out to analyse the movement of the material in the transmission tube and determine the load acting on it. Thereafter, the load exerted on the transmission tube by the material is imported into the static analysis module in Workbench to obtain the stress and deformation of the transmission tube at full load start-up using the coupled EDEM-Workbench method. Subsequently, the part of the design to be optimized is determined based on the results of the static analysis. Finally, a mathematical model of the transmission tube optimization design is constructed; using the response surface optimization module in Workbench and a multi-objective genetic algorithm, a comprehensive optimization design of the transmission tube is carried out. The structural dimensions in the mathematical model of the transmission tube are adjusted to effectively reduce its stress and mass. The optimized transmission tube exhibited reductions of 6.735% in mass, 9.188% in maximum stress, and 16.721% in maximum deformation. This research provides an essential reference for the optimized design of the BM4213 ball mill transmission tube.