Using Solidworks Simulation tool for automated design of drying chambers and study of their operation parameters

Abstract

The paper proposes a modern approach to the automated design of three-dimensional models of wood drying chambers and the study of their operation parameters using the SolidWorks Simulation tool, which makes it possible to create various information models using computer tools. Therefore, in this paper, a three-dimensional model of a wood drying chamber was developed and presented, which includes its main components: walls, ceilings, door, stacks of lumber to be dried, a fresh air supply system, a system for its circulation through fans and heating through heaters. For the automated design of three-dimensional models of all these components, the corresponding algorithms were also developed and programmatically implemented using a specialized SolidWorks application programming interface. At the same time, the developed software application takes into account the parameters entered by the user, including the size, quantity, and type of lumber to be dried. In addition, several thermal calculations were performed across the stack, including with different air velocities. This allows us to analyze the effect of this speed on the distribution of heat transfer across the stack. In general, the obtained results are automatically displayed in one of the windows of the software application. This approach makes it possible to obtain results in the background of SolidWorks with minimal user intervention. Despite the fact that such studies are carried out in SolidWorks Simulation, the graphical results, including the temperature distribution across the stack, are fully automated without user intervention. The software application also makes it possible to automatically change the geometry of a three-dimensional model of a wood drying chamber or stacks within specified limits. In turn, the use of the developed software application in combination with SolidWorks Simulation can effectively speed up the process of creating three-dimensional models of wood drying chambers and studying their operation parameters. In general, this work reflects the trend towards digital transformation in industry, opening up new opportunities for woodworking enterprises and contributing to their market competitiveness and production efficiency.