Simulation of shearer drum cutting performance based on EDEM

To study the coal drop characteristic of shearer drum under different operating conditions, using the MG500 / 1180-WD shearer model as a research object,the EDEM discrete element simulation software was used to es-tablish a three-dimensional simulation model. With the consideration of the effect of the factors,such as coal fragmenta-tion and the roof pressure on the performance of shearer cutting,the dynamic process of shearer cutting was investiga-ted. Using single factor test,the particle’ s trajectory during the cutting process was analyzed. Under different cutting depths and rotational speeds,the impact of shearer coal loading rate,drum loads and the average velocity curve of par-ticles within the drum envelope range were analyzed. The results show that the coal loading rate of shearer increases with the speed first and then decreases,and increases with the cutting depth;three directions loads of drum decrease with drum speed increases and increase with the cutting depth increases;and the cutting rate energy consumption in-creases with speed and cutting depth increases. Low speed and large cutting depth of drum may increase the rate of shearer coaling. In order to improve the shearer cutting efficiency and reduce consumption, with the same level of shearer coaling rate,the cutting depth can properly be reduced. The results provides a reference for improving the shearer cutting efficiency.