Projeto de automação de um abrasômetro tipo roda-de-borracha

Abstract

This work is about the automation of a rubber-wheel abrasion test machine, equipment which is commonly used in abrasion researches by mining and soil carrier industries. It consists of a wheel which, with help of an abrasive material and the appliance of a constant force, wears a specimen while it spins. This machine’s automation’s goal is to acquire forces being applied to the sample during the process, which makes possible the creation of reports and a deep analysis by the operator. To make it possible, it was built a mechanical adaptation, capable of pressing the sample towards the rubber-wheel, and a supervisory software, responsible for making the interface between the user and the machine. It brings as results: an accurate control of the force applied to the sample; an easy to use interface for the user; and the creation of reports with significant data for the analysis and study of the specimen’s wear, such as applied forces and friction coefficient.