Create Dynamic Factories

Dynamic factories produce particles over the duration of a simulation. Simulation continues as the particles are created.

To create Dynamic Factories:
  1. In the Creator Tree, select Geometries and then select Factories.
  2. Right-click Factories and then select Add Factory.
  3. Select Add Dynamic Factory and specify the following details:
    For Specify
    Number of Mass of Particles
    • Unlimited Number.

      Select to create as many particles that will fit on or in the selected Geometry section. If selected, the factory will attempt to create particles continuously from the specified start time until the end of the simulation. Particles will continue to be created even after a section surface or volume is full. This may cause the rest of the simulation to slow down.

    • Total Number

      Specify the total number of particles that will be produced by the factory.

    • Total Mass

      Specify the total amount of mass that will be produced by the factory.
    Generation Rate
    Target Number (per second) Specify the number of particles the Simulator will try to place in or on the section per second.
    Target Mass Specify the target mass generation rate for the Simulator. When simulation starts, this rate is converted into mass per Time Step. If this is less than the smallest particle mass, the factory does not create a particle but adds the mass to the mass for the next Time Step. Once there is enough mass, the factory creates a particle. If the mass per Time Step is greater than the smallest particle mass, the factory places particles until it reaches the mass per Time Step. Be sure your factory is large enough to create the required mass rate: if not, a warning message may be displayed prompting you to update the rate.
    Note: Target Mass is not compatible with Cubic, BCC, and FCC factories.
    Mass Flow Equation f(t) [kg] Define a time dependent mass flow equation. For more information on functions, see Force and Torque inputs as equations. 
    Note: The units for the mass flow equation is always kilograms.
    Start Time Specify the time at which particle creation will take place.
    Max attempts to place particle If you select random particle position, you must also define the maximum number of attempts to place a particle. During simulation, EDEM attempts to place particles in a random position in or on the specified section. If placing the particle in that position would cause an overlap with any other physical element in the model, EDEM Simulator will abandon the position and try to find another for the specified number of times for each particle.
    Overlap Check Based on Contact detection between particles can be based on the physical or the contact radius. If you are generating particles which have a contact radius (for example when using the bonded model) selecting the Based on Contact Radius will ensure that the particles are placed with enough separation to ensure that the particles do not bond with one another.
    Parameters
    Material/Meta-Particles Indicates the bulk material created by this factory.
    Position

    When particles and Meta-Particles are created, they are placed on or in the specified section. Particles are never created on top of one another. When a factory tries to create a particle/Meta-Particle it will repeatedly attempt to find free space to place it.

    Select one of the following options:

    • Random

      Particles are positioned randomly.

    • Cubic

      Particles are created in a simple cubic lattice. Select the Display Lattice option in the Viewer controls pane to show the lattice in the Viewer.

    • BCC lattice

      Particles are created in a body-centered cubic lattice. It is defined in the same way as a cubic lattice.

    • FCC lattice

      Particles are created in a face-centered cubic lattice. It is defined in the same way as a cubic lattice.

    You can select only a random position when defining a target mass to create.
    Velocity

    Indicates the velocity that particles can be given to particles at the time of creation.

    Select one of the following options:

    • Fixed

      All particles have the same fixed velocity. The velocity must be defined as a vector.

      .
    • Random

      Each particle is given a velocity at random within a defined range.

      .
    • Normal distribution

      The particle velocities have a normal distribution. The particle direction, mean velocity and the standard deviation must be defined.

    • Linear distribution

      The particles are given velocities that fall on the line segment between the two velocity vectors that are provided.

    • Spray

      The particles are formed in a conical spray. The spray direction is defined as a velocity vector. The angle is the angle of maximum deviation from the normal. The mean velocity and standard deviation must also be defined.
    Orientation Indicates the orientation that particles can be given to particles at the time of creation. Useful for non-spherical particles.

    Select one of the following options:

    • Fixed

      All particles have the same fixed orientation. The orientation is defined in an orientation matrix. EDEM automatically adjusts the values you enter to maintain an orthogonal orientation matrix.

    • Random

      Each particle is given a random orientation.
    Angular velocity Indicates the velocity that can be given to particles at the time of creation, as they will be spinning when placed on or in the specified section.

    Select one of the following options:

    • Fixed

      All particles have the same fixed angular velocity. The velocity must be defined as a vector.

    • Random

      Each particle is given an angular velocity at random within a defined range.

    • Normal distribution

      The particle angular velocities have a normal distribution. The particle direction, average angular velocity and the standard deviation must be defined.

    • Linear distribution

      Particles are given angular velocities that fall on an arbitrary arc drawn between two velocity vectors.
    Custom property Indicates custom properties that can be given to particles.

    Select one of the following options:

    • Fixed

      All particles have the same fixed value.

    • Initial

      Particles use the initial value of the property.

    • Normal

      Custom property values have a normal distribution. The mean and standard deviation must be defined.

    • Random

      Each particle is given a value at random within a defined range.
    Parameters
    Material/Meta-Particles The Bulk Material created by this factory.
    Position

    When particles and Meta-Particles are created, they are placed on or in the specified section. Particles are never created on top of one another. When a factory tries to create a particle/Meta-Particle it will repeatedly attempt to find free space to place it.

    The position of the particles can be:

    • Random. Particles are positioned randomly.
    • Cubic. Particles are created in a simple cubic lattice. Select the Display Lattice option in the Viewer controls pane to show the lattice in the Viewer.
    • BCC lattice. Particles are created in a body-centered cubic lattice. It is defined in the same way as a cubic lattice.
    • FCC lattice. Particles are created in a face-centered cubic lattice. It is defined in the same way as a cubic lattice.

    Only a random position is selectable when defining a target mass to create.
    Velocity

    Particles can be given a velocity at the time of creation. Options are:

    • Fixed. All particles have the same fixed velocity. The velocity must be defined as a vector.
    • Random. Each particle is given a velocity at random within a defined range.
    • Normal distribution. The particle velocities have a normal distribution. The particle direction, mean velocity and the standard deviation must be defined.
    • Linear distribution. The particles are given velocities that fall on the line segment between the two velocity vectors provided by you.
    • Spray. The particles are formed in a conical spray. The spray direction is defined as a velocity vector. The angle is the angle of maximum deviation from the normal. The mean velocity and standard deviation must also be defined.
    Orientation

    Particles can be given an orientation at the time of creation. This is useful for non-spherical particles. Options are:

    • Fixed. All particles have the same fixed orientation. The orientation is defined in an orientation matrix. EDEM automatically adjusts the values you enter to maintain an orthogonal orientation matrix.
    • Random. Each particle is given a random orientation.
    Angular velocity

    Particles can be given an angular velocity at the time of creation, as they will be spinning when placed on or in the specified section. Options are:

    • Fixed. All particles have the same fixed angular velocity. The velocity must be defined as a vector.
    • Random. Each particle is given an angular velocity at random within a defined range.
    • Normal distribution. The particle angular velocities have a normal distribution. The particle direction, average angular velocity and the standard deviation must be defined.
    • Linear distribution. Particles are given angular velocities that fall on an arbitrary arc drawn between two velocity vectors.
    Custom property

    If you have defined any custom properties, particles can be given a custom property value at the time of creation. Options are:

    • Fixed. All particles have the same fixed value.
    • Initial. Particles use the initial value of the property.
    • Normal. Custom property values have a normal distribution. The mean and standard deviation must be defined.
    • Random. Each particle is given a value at random within a defined range.
    Note: To change the Factory type, right-click the Factory that you have created and then select Change Factory Type.