Evaluation of the belt punching process efficiency based on the resistance force of the compressed material.

Vacuum conveyor belt punching process by using the piercing punch which cooperates with the die has potential to be modified in aspects of lowering the perforation force, extending the tool life, and improving the hole quality in the perforated belts. All these parameters have an influence on the efficiency of the process and strictly depends on the punch geometry. This indicates that based on these criteria the optimization of the tool constructional features may be performed. In the presented research, authors have shown the linear correlation between the resistance force of the compressed material of the multilayer polymer composite belt in punching and the efficiency of the process. It was also proved that using the effective geometry of the piercing punch with spherical bowl can reduce the perforation force by 69%. Based on the obtained model, the simplified optimization as well as the evaluation of the punches with defined geometry can be performed, since all characteristics of the material compressive force obtained for the effective punches were almost consistent. For proper analysis, it is necessary to use the combination of the analytical and numerical modelling, computer simulations with using the finite element method (FEM) and the experimental tests. However, by performing simple compression tests for various tool geometry on the strength testing machine, it is possible to perform the comparison analysis of different piercing punches based on the derived models. This approach can be used to evaluate the properties of selected tools for the groups of materials with wide divergence of the mechanical properties without performing the complex research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]