Using Altair EDEM for Process Manufacturing

In this example, EDEM’s Application Programming Interface (API) can be used to introduce custom physics to the simulation, allowing particles to have a liquid content. Here, particles with a water content are added into a mixer containing powder. EDEM allows users to study the increase in water content over time and to analyze mixing efficiency.

The EDEM Application Programming Interface (API) is used to create custom contact models and properties to simulate tablet coating process. The video demonstrates how EDEM can be used as a predictive tool to perform virtual testing and investigate the effects of parameters like tablet shape or coating pan speed on the coating uniformity.

This video was part of a project with Micron, where EDEM was used to model a food processing extruder. Using EDEM software it was possible to simulate how the material turns into a solid under high compression at the extruder nozzle. In addition, key analysis was conducted on the system including material throughput through the nozzle and identifying the amount of material not discharged.

This simulation models over 8 million particles of less than 0.3mm in size. Large amounts of tiny particles are common in Additive Manufacturing applications. This video shows powder raking and how EDEM tools can be used to analyze voidage, particle orientation and number of contacts at different time steps. Similar simulations can guide the design and optimization of the powder rake and its speed.

The video presents how EDEM can be used to analyze the mixing efficiency within a High Shear Granulator filled with 10 million particles. In this example, the mixing process of two powders with different particle size is shown. EDEM allows to visualize mixing from different angles, color particles by velocity to see where particles stagnate and analyze the mixing effectiveness by showing the concentration of each type of particles in the mixer.

In this video EDEM is used to simulate and analyze a tablet compaction process, using the Edinburgh Elasto-Plastic Adhesion contact model (EEPA) to capture the complex behavior of the powders. EDEM enables users to obtain key micro-mechanical information such as compression forces, stress and porosity and to predict tablet defects.

EDEM can be used to simulate and optimize a range of food processing operations. In this video EDEM is used to analyze a cereal coating process. Results of the simulation can be used to improve process efficiency and ensure a high quality end product.

Fluidized beds have been in use for almost 100 years for a wide range of processes including powder mixing, powder and tablet coating and powder bed heating and drying. However, the understanding of fluidized beds is still limited and multiple factors impact the fluidization and efficiency of the process, making it challenging to predict how the process can be improved.

Pin mills are widely used across many industries to comminute bulk solids like chemicals, sugar, herbicides and resins. In this video EDEM is used to simulate and analyze material size reduction in a pin mill, using the Tavares Breakage Model to accurately simulate breakage.

This video shows the analysis of the hopper discharge process for powders. EDEM allows coloring the powders by layers, velocity and residence time. Additionally, the set-up of bins enables collecting, extracting and plotting data such as mass flow rate, for further analysis. By simulating powders with different cohesiveness and varying other parameters, EDEM allows specific equipment and process optimization for different powders.

EDEM can be used to simulate a range of food handling and processing operations. In this video EDEM is used to analyze the separation process of palm fruits, ensuring that the fruits are not damaged and that the process is optimized.

In this webinar, we will discuss how Altair EDEM software can help the food manufacturing industry address a range of challenges.

EDEM accurately simulates the behavior of various foods such as grains, coffee beans, spices, fruits, or dairy powders and provides key insight into a range of operations and processes, including material handling and processing such as mixing, milling, drying, coating, and more.

By deploying EDEM software companies are able to ensure a high-quality end product, minimize damage and wastage, improve scale-up procedures, reduce operating costs, and drive product innovation.

Webinar contents:
• Background and industry challenges
• Introducing Altair EDEM
• Material handling applications: sorting, transport, feeding and storing
• Material processing applications:
granulation, mixing, extruding, coating

Duration: 37 minutes

This video shows the analysis of the feed frame for the die filling process for pharmaceutical powders. EDEM allows the use of colors to differentiate powders by type, velocity and residence time. Additionally, the set-up of bins enables collecting, extracting and plotting the data, for further analysis. By simulating powders with different cohesiveness and varying other parameters such as the RPM, EDEM allows equipment and process optimization for any combination of powders.

This video compares the behavior of two different powders in a screw auger – one of the powders being highly cohesive and the other one free flowing. EDEM provides key insight into the discharge of the hopper, the compressive force acting on the powders, the mass flow rate and the power required to drive the screw blade.

In this collaboration with The Barnes Group Advisors, EDEM has been used to get an insight into the functioning of the material delivery system used in an additive manufacturing printer. Two powders with different flowability were characterized and simulated to compare and analyze the differences in the dosing process. Some of the analysis conducted includes material agglomeration, mass flow rate and powder compression. EDEM can assist in obtaining an in-depth understanding of the additive manufacturing processes.

In this webinar, learn more about Altair EDEM software and how it can help optimize a range of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes including mixing, milling, tableting, and tablet coating.

EDEM accurately simulates and analyzes the behavior of powders, tablets and capsules. It can provide key insight into operations and processes otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain using experiments alone.

Learn how leading pharmaceutical manufacturers including Novo Nordisk and Pfizer are using EDEM to increase process efficiency and capability, improve product quality, reduce prototyping costs, and get products to market quicker.

Webinar contents:
• Context and Challenges
• Introducing Altair EDEM
• Applications examples: storage and conveying, mixing, milling, tableting, and tablet coating
• Q&A

Duration: 57 minutes