Determining the natural resting orientation of a part using drop test and theoretical methods

Part feeder is used in automated assembly lines to segregate and orient parts prior to packing. Trap is the heart of the part feeding system to change possible orientations to natural resting orientation. For designing the trap, the natural resting orientation or favorable orientation of a component must be understood. The favorable orientation of the part is the orientation in which the part rests on a horizontal surface. The natural resting orientation of a part is identified using a drop test. By dropping a part from different heights the orientation of the part is noted after it comes to rest. The most probable occurrence of orientation is considered as favorable orientation of part. The obtained favorable orientation through drop test is also compared with the likely orientations identified through theoretical methods like energy barrier method, centroid solid angle method, stability method and critical solid angle method. It is found that the orientation obtained through drop test matches with the results of three theoretical methods. In this work, the natural resting orientation of a typical asymmetric component, brake pad, is identified.

► Different heights are considered for drop test.
► Natural resting orientation of part is predicted by drop test.
► Centroid solid angle method, stability method and critical solid angle method give same result.
► Three coinciding theoretical methods, static probability profiles of stability method perfectly match with the drop test result.
► Natural resting orientation of a part will be helpful in future for designing the part feeding systems for assembly line.