Optimized design of suction pores in a transfer wheel for cylindrical part

Abstract To improve the stability of cylindrical parts during high-speed vacuum transfer, this study proposes an optimized straight-slot suction pore design for the transfer wheel. A straight-slot pore configuration is introduced to replace conventional circular holes, thereby increasing the effective suction area and producing a more uniform pressure distribution. A combined methodology involving theoretical analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, and industrial experiments is employed to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of different slot geometries. The simulation results indicate that Scheme A provides the largest pressure magnitude but exhibits relatively steep pressure gradients, whereas Scheme D shows limited suction capability under the tested boundary conditions. Scheme C shows a favorable balance between pressure magnitude and distribution uniformity, with a surface pressure of approximately -310 Pa and the highest flow velocity of 22.4 m/s among the tested schemes. Experimental tests conducted under identical operating conditions show that Scheme C reduces the occurrences of both flying parts and surface indentations. These results suggest that the optimized straight-slot pore design may improve transfer stability and surface quality within the tested operating range, providing a useful reference for vacuum-based transfer systems for cylindrical parts.