Nemag partnered with TU Delft to design a new generation of iron ore grabs that unload vessels faster while reducing equipment weight. Traditional grab development relied on costly physical prototyping with limited insight into bulk material behavior. Using Altair EDEM, TU Delft created a virtual prototyping workflow combining discrete element modeling with multibody dynamics to simulate iron ore interaction with grab mechanisms. The approach enabled accurate prediction of performance and optimization of geometry and motion. The resulting patented nemaX® grab reduced deadweight, increased payload, shortened closing times, and improved unloading efficiency by 10%. The design was validated at industrial scale and won international technology and design awards.

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