Open Access

Felix Profe, Lucas Kostetzer, Christoph Ament

• This work shows a weighing product model that characterizes the processes of product impact during the weighing procedure of a combination scale. Unfortunately, the product impact force does not exist as a sensor quantity and is difficult to measure. Another complicating factor in developing a product model is the large variety of products and their fall behaviour. Even with identical product properties, falling comprises strong stochastic influence. With the help of a discrete element method simulation model it was possible to directly calculate the product impact force. More than 20 different products were tested. The simulation can reproduce the random fall behaviour. Based on these analyses, a real-time capable product model was derived. The model is able to generate impact curves based on portion weight, particle weight, impact time, drop height, and impact duration. Impact duration and time of impact of an individual particle are changing based on random variables. Due toThis work shows a weighing product model that characterizes the processes of product impact during the weighing procedure of a combination scale. Unfortunately, the product impact force does not exist as a sensor quantity and is difficult to measure. Another complicating factor in developing a product model is the large variety of products and their fall behaviour. Even with identical product properties, falling comprises strong stochastic influence. With the help of a discrete element method simulation model it was possible to directly calculate the product impact force. More than 20 different products were tested. The simulation can reproduce the random fall behaviour. Based on these analyses, a real-time capable product model was derived. The model is able to generate impact curves based on portion weight, particle weight, impact time, drop height, and impact duration. Impact duration and time of impact of an individual particle are changing based on random variables. Due to simplifications, restitution coefficient and particle shape is not considered. With larger particles there are deviations in comparison of simulation and product model. Due to the low computational effort, the model could be used, for example, as a system input for a real time capable model of a weighing station.…