Parts Feeders

Vibratory Parts Feeders

A vibratory parts feeder is a device that makes use of vibrations to feed materials through a machine or process while controlling the rate of flow of the moving materials. The vibration is employed to bring about movement of the materials in imperceivable small hops or jumps. The force of gravity is also utilized in order to influence parts to change direction, usually in a downward, lateral movement.

Types of Parts Feeders

There are three main types of parts feeders:

• centrifugal feeders
• pneumatic feeders
• vibratory bowl feeders

Centrifugal Parts Feeders

These consist of a circular bowl with one or two angular spinning disks and a conically-shaped driving rotor. Centrifugal feeders make use of spinning angular disks rather than vibration or a spiral track to cast parts to the external edge of the bowl. The angular disks and the bowl always rotate independently of each other and there are constant rotations at varying rates of speeds. The most common advantage of this type of part feeder is that it can be used even for the most awkwardly-shaped components and still retain its efficiency and speed, reducing any chances of damaging the parts or components.

Pneumatic Parts Feeders

These parts feeders operate based on the pressure, or power, of airflow and the motion in the mechanism is brought about by a pneumatic piston. The piston moves through hydraulic pressure or an air-driven motor.The passing materials are controlled by a secured clamp. When a process is completed on the upper deck, electronic signals are transmitted which move the deck upwards and the parts or components being worked on are moved to the next phase. A time relay initiates the next process by lowering the deck so that another set of components may be worked upon.

Vibratory Bowl Feeders

They are commonly referred to as bowl feeders and they consist of an independent driving unit that provides the vibrations to the bowl feeder mounted on top of it. There is also a specially designed, spiraling track within the feeder bowl. Through this track, the parts are moved through the feeder bowl and then released later for additional processing. These vibratory bowl feeders are the most popular type of parts feeders used in commercial and industrial processes.

Applications of Parts Feeders

Although they come in a limited number of basic designs, parts feeders come in numerous sizes. Parts feeders are, therefore, used in a wide range of applications and industrial activities. In the industrial manufacturing process, feeders are used for automated assembly processes like small electrical components, pins, and fasteners. The automotive industry, meanwhile, makes use of parts feeders in the sorting and the orientation that precedes spark plug manufacturing.

Parts feeders are also used in the recycling of waste materials. Various recyclable materials are sorted out ranging from plastics, metals, and other materials. In the pharmaceutical industry, parts feeders are used in the procedural sorting of medication through step-by-step packing of medicinal products.

Advantages of Parts Feeders

• The use of parts feeders comes with substantial advantages by making procedural work easier and safer. Parts feeders are also very time-efficient and drastically reduce the time taken to perform many tasks if they were done by man.
• Parts feeders save on employee expenses because they can be adopted in an independent system allowing desired tasks to be performed more efficiently and accurately. Furthermore, Their systematic step-by-step procedure of how work is done reduces the chances of workplace injuries due to human errors and mistakes.