Failure analysis of a base support plate of a semolina purifier machines subjected to fatigue loading

Abstract

The semolina purifier is a machine used in the production phase in flour factories and is exposed to fatigue loads. In this study, the reason for the damage when a semolina purifier machine breaks during use and the improvements that need to be made in the design are discussed. For this purpose, a finite element model (FEM) was created using ABAQUS software. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the design of the machine support platform should be improved. A two-stage strengthening alternative is designed. The cyclic loads applied by the twin motors that move the machine screens are applied in the FEM model. The deformations and stresses occurring in the reinforced and existing design machine base plate were compared. The results showed that, the maximum equivalent stress level can be reduced from 86 MPa to 35 MPa by design improvements made on the base plate.