Bowl feeder

Vibratory Bowl Feeder

Vibratory feeders are the most common devices used to feed individual components in an automatic assembly framework. Vibratory feeders are self-contained systems, comprising a specially tooled bowl feeder that orients the parts, a vibrating drive unit, upon which the bowl feeder is mounted, and a variable-amplitude control box. The bowl feeder, including an out feed accumulation track to convey parts along and discharge into the assembly machine comes in many shapes and sizes. The drive unit, available in both electromagnetic and pneumatic drives, vibrates the bowl feeder, forcing the parts to move up a circular, inclined track. The track is designed to sort and orient the parts in consistent, repeatable positions. The track length, width, and depth are carefully chosen to suit the application and component shape and size. Special track coatings are applied according to shape size and material of the component which aids traction, damage to the product and lower acoustic levels. A variable speed control box is used for controlling the vibration of the bowl feeder and stops the flow of parts to the out feed track via sensors. [IQS Manufacturers Directory. Vibratory Feeders. IQS Directory (Michigan, MI), http://www.iqsdirectory.com/vibratory-feeders]

Vibratory Feeders and Vibratory Feeder Manufacturers Image Provided by "RNA Automation"

Vibratory feeders are utilized by all industries including, the pharmaceutical, automotive, electronic, food, Fast Moving Consumable Goods (FMCG), packaging and metal working industries. It also serves other industries such as glass, foundry, steel, construction, recycling, pulp and paper, and plastics. Vibratory feeders offer a cost-effective alternative to manual labor, saving manufacturer’s time and labor costs. Several factors must be considered when selecting a parts feeder, including the industry, application, material properties and product volume.

Type of Bowls

Provided by "RNA Automation Ltd" [Perks, Andrew. 2004. Vibratory Bowl Feeders. Standard Equipment Step Feeder, UK RNA Automation Limited, 3-12.]

Types of Feeding Systems

"Bowl Feeders": consists of a bowl top with a spiral track inside the bowl. The component parts are delivered from the bottom of the bowl feeder up the track into the top of the feeder as the bowl vibrates. [IQS Manufacturers Directory. Bowl Feeders. IQS Directory (Michigan, MI), http://www.iqsdirectory.com/bowl-feeders]

Vibratory Feeders Image Provided by "RNA Automation"

"Centrifugal Feeders": also referred as ‘rotary feeders’, have a conical central driven rotor surrounded by a circular bowl wall. The feeder separate component parts utilizing rotary force and the parts revolve with high speed and are pulled to the outside of the bowl. [Eshelman, Michael (New Port Richey, FL), Harrison, George (Brooksville, FL), Roach, Jack (Wrightsville, PA), Roberts, Chad (Spring Hill, FL), Karp, Brian (Spring Hill, FL), Pugh, David (Brooksville, FL), Coombs, Sean (Lansing, MI). 1999. Centrifugal feeder. United States Sims Machine & Controls, Inc. (Brooksville, FL), 5954185, http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5954185.html]

Centrifugal Feeders Image Provided by "RNA Automation"

"Step Feeders": The component parts are collected from the hopper by elevating plates, pre-sorted and fed until they reach the desired transfer height. Key features of step feeder are that it operates quietly and without vibration. [Perks, Andrew. 2004. Step Feeders. Standard Equipment Step Feeder, UK RNA Automation Limited, 3-5.]

Step Feeders Image Provided by "RNA Automation"

"Linear Feeders": Horizontal conveying of components. Used to handle irregular supplies of parts from upstream equipment, creating a buffer store and smooth flow for further processes. Special application: Multi-track design, carpet feeder. [Hoppmann, Kurt H. (Falls Church, VA), Vaughn, Charles (Stafford, VA), Anderson, Philip S. (Sumerduck, VA), Schmitt, Werner H. (Falls Church, VA). 1993. Linear feeder. United States Hoppmann Corporation (Chantilly, VA), 5236077, http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5236077.html]

Linear Feeders Image Provided by "RNA Automation"

Accessories

"Coating": Minimise wear and tear, reduces noise and damage to parts.

"Sound enclosure/cover": A foam-lined structure that absorbs the noise created by the vibratory feeder. Reduce noise and protects against dust and contamination.

"Base Plates": Enable easy mounting of the drive unit to the machine bed.

"Sensors": Minimum/maximum level control on a linear track.

"Hopper": Large, bulk container that stores material and regulates parts flow into the vibratory feeder system

Applications

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBKtdjt3YGU] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYitUj6JXk]

Alternative solutions

Vision Guided Robotic SystemsSee also [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KQmJo-WYf8] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvtkjyOtrNo]

Bibliography and Reference

1. IQS Manufacturers Directory. Vibratory Feeders. IQS Directory (Michigan, MI), http://www.iqsdirectory.com/vibratory-feeders

2. Perks, Andrew. 2004. Vibratory Bowl Feeders. Standard Equipment Step Feeder, UK RNA Automation Limited, 3-12.

3. IQS Manufacturers Directory. Bowl Feeders. IQS Directory (Michigan, MI), http://www.iqsdirectory.com/bowl-feeders

4. Eshelman, Michael (New Port Richey, FL), Harrison, George (Brooksville, FL), Roach, Jack (Wrightsville, PA), Roberts, Chad (Spring Hill, FL), Karp, Brian (Spring Hill, FL), Pugh, David (Brooksville, FL), Coombs, Sean (Lansing, MI). 1999. Centrifugal feeder. United States Sims Machine & Controls, Inc. (Brooksville, FL), 5954185, http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5954185.html

5. Perks, Andrew. 2004. Step Feeders. Standard Equipment Step Feeder, UK RNA Automation Limited, 3-5.

6. Hoppmann, Kurt H. (Falls Church, VA), Vaughn, Charles (Stafford, VA), Anderson, Philip S. (Sumerduck, VA), Schmitt, Werner H. (Falls Church, VA). 1993. Linear feeder. United States Hoppmann Corporation (Chantilly, VA), 5236077, http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5236077.html

Further Reading

Samson, Bruce L. (Wyndmoor, PA). 2003. Vibratory feeding system. United States Moore Push-Pin Company (Wyndmoor, PA), 6631799, http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6631799.html

]

References