The Feeder designer is accessed using the 'New' command. It is a special powerful design
feature for designing a segmented spiral chute of any number of segments, that spirals around a
specified horizontal angle, and that drops downward for a distance defined by one of three
options. These options allow either the drop distance to be specified, or the angle of incline of the
segments to be specified. In the latter case a more complex option can be specified to allow the
incline to be graded in and out of a mid gradient angle, thus giving a steepening incline from the
start to the mid point, and a decreasing incline from the mid point to the exit.
Fig: Special Spiral Chute Design Feature
Fig: Spiral Chute XY View Showing Turn Angle
Parameters
Flat Radius: Value - The radius from the center of the spiral to the center of the first piece, which
is the radius to the mid point of a segment when viewed in the vertical.
Turn Angle: Value - The horizontal turn angle as seen in the XY view.
Segments: Integer - The number of segments in the spiral, including the half segments at the
ends.
Drop Type: Option [Distance, Angle, Grade Angle - Each of these options has different
parameters attached to it so the list of parameters changes according to the selection. The
selection options and associated parameters are as follows:
1. Option: Distance
Drop Distance: Value - Defines the overall drop of the spiral from the open end center of
the first segment, to the open end center of the last segment.
2. Option: Angle
Angle: Value - Defines the incline angle of all the segments. The overall drop of the
chute is therefore defined by this and the other parameter.
3. Option: Grade Angle
Start Incline: Value - Defines the incline angle of the first segment.
Mid Incline: Value - Defines the incline angle of the middle of the chute. The incline of
the chute is smoothly graded into this incline from the start incline, and then smoothly
graded out of it to the finish incline.
Finish Incline: Value - Defines the incline angle of all the last (bottom) segment.
