Numerical research on wear characteristics of drum based on discrete element method (DEM)

•DEM analysis was used to simulate the wear characteristics of the drum.•The influence of working parameters on drum wear was analyzed.•The optimal working parameters of the drum were obtained. Drum works on high impact and non-linear load condition, which easily results in wear and failure. However, it is still an urgent problem to study the wear mechanism of drum and how to reduce the drum wear. In this study, the coupling model of drum cutting in complex coal seam was established using discrete element method (DEM). Then, the motion state of coal/rock particles, the wear distribution of drum and the influence of working parameters on drum wear were all studied to reveal the wear mechanism. To reduce the wear of drum and take into account the cutting performance of shearer, the optimal working parameters were obtained based on the multi-objective optimization theory. The results indicate that abrasive wear is the main form of drum wear. Wear of pick and blade among the drum assembly is relatively serious. The main influencing parameter of pick wear is traction speed and that of blade wear is drum rotation speed. Under the certain working condition, when the traction speed is 4.85 m/min, the drum rotation speed is 86.82 r/min, and the spiral angle is 13.8°, the wear of drum will be reduced to a certain extent, and the comprehensive performance of the shearer will be optimal.