Accelerating drum technology for the transmission of cylindrical parts

Abstract This study proposes an accelerating drum (AD) technology with a mechanically coordinated vacuum-switching mechanism for the spatial orthogonal transmission of cylindrical parts. The AD is designed to regulate the motion state and vacuum release phase of cylindrical parts before handover in an AD-transfer wheel system. To achieve mechanically synchronized vacuum timing, a fixed-rotary vacuum-channel structure composed of the hollow shaft, flange, ventilation ring, and follower plate is proposed. In this structure, vacuum opening and closing are governed mainly by the geometric overlap between stationary and rotating components, thereby reducing the dependence on repeated solenoid-valve actuation during drum rotation. An analytical cam model is established to describe the suction-center trajectory and the kinematic behavior of the oscillating suction claw (OSC). Kinematic simulation is then performed to compare the analytical suction-center trajectory with the SolidWorks Motion result and to analyze the velocity and acceleration characteristics of the OSC. Prototype-based experimental validation is conducted to evaluate the influence of ventilation-ring angle on handover position and transfer stability. Under the tested conditions, the 0°-8° ventilation-ring range maintains relatively high transfer success rates of 90%-95%. The success rate decreases to 70% at 9°, 50% at 10°, and 40% at 11°, while no successful transfer is observed at 12° and 13°. These findings provide a kinematic basis for subsequent studies on the design and adjustment of orthogonal transfer mechanisms for lightweight cylindrical parts in automated conveying systems.