Analysis and Design of the Conveyor Transmission System for an Automated Laying Hen Farming Machine

Abstract

This study presents the analysis and design of a conveyor transmission system for an automated laying-hen farming machine intended to improve egg-transfer efficiency and reduce the risk of damage associated with manual handling. The conveyor system is an important component of poultry-farming automation; therefore, accurate technical calculations are required to ensure stable, safe, and operationally appropriate mechanical performance. The analysis was conducted by calculating the required force, power, torque, speed, and transmission ratio while considering the design parameters, including load mass, friction coefficient, starting condition, transmission efficiency, and drive characteristics. The calculated total conveyor force was 15.696 N under steady-state operation and increased to 25.696 N during starting. The theoretical motor power requirement was 3.693 W, while the maximum pulley torque was 1.2848 N·m. Based on these results, a 25 W electric motor with a 40:1 gearbox was selected, producing a pulley speed of approximately 38 rpm to achieve the required conveyor speed of 0.20 m/s. The shaft-strength assessment showed that the working shear stress remained below the allowable shear stress of the S45C shaft material, indicating an adequate safety margin. Overall, the proposed conveyor transmission system meets the functional, safety, and efficiency requirements based on analytical calculations and is suitable for application as part of an automated poultry-farming system.