Re: powder packing density!!!

Hello list and Toby:

I have a problem with your statement that it packs more densely than perf=
ect
spheres and you said it approaches 0.74. In fact if you calculate the max
packing density of perfect spheres, having the same diameter, it is 0.74=
. So
anything under this is not really interesting to me.
Could you elaborate on your statement?

I think if you want to improve the packing density the easiest way is to =
use
bi-modal particle distribution.

Just my 2 cents worth! :)

J.-M. Bo=E9chat

Toby Gill wrote:

> Thought this may be of interest to some,
>
> It has just been published that M& M sweets pack together more densely =
then
> perfect spheres when randomly jumbled in a container.
> It was also discovered that by stretching the M&M shape (so elliptical,
> like an almond) in computer simulations, a packing density approaching =
the
> packing fraction of 0.74 was achieved.
>
> This seems to me to be important to anyone involved with producing
> components from powders, be it by conventional methods or by rapid
> manufacturing techniques. Does anyone have any comments/thoughts on thi=
s
> development?
>
> P.S. I have just finished a PhD based on SLS and am currently looking=
 for
> employment. Anyone who has any vacancies arising in the near future ple=
ase
> contact me at the email address above.
>
> Regards
>
> Toby Gill

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