Many customers require usage of the output of a vibratory bowl feeder in more than one row. There are many advantages of having multiple outlets, with the first and foremost being one gets to use a single bowl feeder instead of multiple, thus saving on the cost of the extra bowl feeders and secondly, on the running costs of having more bowl feeders as well there is the obvious advantage of space saving. However, providing multiple outlets from a single bowl feeder has its limitation. Firstly, it depends upon the components to be fed, one can get multiple outlets in case of components like caps, needles, rollers etc. but not in case of screws having long length, large size parts etc. Secondly, for getting multiple outlets, it is pertinent to ensure than there is an overflow provision made in the bowl so that once any outlet is full, the excess components can flow back into the bowl. Hence, the corollary is that unless one can provide an overflow arrangement for a component, it cannot be provided in multiple outlets. Overflow provision cannot be made for long length screws, nails etc and hence these cannot be provided in multiple outlets. This is because the speed per outlet is never going to be the same, one outlet always will be running faster than the others. Due to this, having an overflow provision in case of a bowl feeder with multiple outlets is a must. Third point is that the speed one requires in each of the outlets should be possible in the bowl feeder. There are various ways to increase the bowl feeder speed and requirement of multiple outlets should match the maximum possible speed which can be achieved. Another important aspect to be considered is what is the centre distance at which the multiple outlets need to be provided. Usually the outlets should be next to each other. However, we at Elscint have designed and manufactured bowl feeders having two outlets at 180 degrees to each other and even four outlets at 90 degrees to each other along the periphery of the bowl. However, such innovativeness is not always possible for all vibratory feeder manufacturers who most of the times regret the multiple outlet requirement or else provide riders like it is possible without overflow provision. There are various ways in which one can provide multiple outlets. One way is to bifurcate the output into multiple tracks inside the bowl itself, another way is to make way for a second outlet once the first one is full of components and a third is to have a bowl with multiple starts / tracks right from the bottom. Which type to use depends upon the component and the feed rate or speed which is required per outlet. The maximum number of outlets which one can have in a single bowl feeder is dependent upon the size and type of components. We at Elscint have provided upto 10 tracks / outlets in some cases.

X-Y Table is a very important and useful accessory of a vibratory bowl feeder. There are numerous advantages of using X-Y Tables along with vibratory bowl feeders. First and foremost, X-Y Tables make fine adjustments on X axis and Y Axis possible. This can give a tremendous benefit to Machine Builders / System Integrators who can thereby reduce the time taken for integration. Another major advantage of using X-Y Tables is when various sizes of components are being fed to a Centreless Grinding Machine. This helps in fine adjustment to accommodate the various sizes of components plus helps while dressing the Grinding Machine Wheel.

In the last blog we had considered the product specific criteria which needs to be taken into account while choosing the right type of vibratory bowl feeder. However, while choosing the correct type of bowl feeder supplier, some manufacturer specific points too much be considered. Below you can find the various points on which evaluation must be based is provided here.

1. Is the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer ISO Certified?
2. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer issue Operating Instructions, Test / Inspection Reports?
3. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer provide an Electrical Circuit Diagram with the supply?
4. Is proper Documentation of every Vibratory Bowl Feeder kept in case of any need in the future?
5. Are the Vibratory Bowl Feeders having CE Marking? 

                                                             i.      This ensures conformation to the stringent European Safety Norms

                                                            ii.      This increases safety of the equipment

6. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer export on a regular basis?

i.                    Exporting to European / other countries further stresses the quality of the manufacturer plus shows the price competitiveness in the global market.

7. How long is the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer in business? Will he last long enough to provide critical spares in the future?

8. Is the Vibratory Bowl Feeder Manufacturer financially strong enough to stay in business during recessionary times?  

9. Are all the required Spares kept in Stock?

10. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer provide a Tool Kit / Set with every Bowl Feeder?

I.                   This creates tremendous value for the customer in the time saved while searching for Tools for work on the Bowl Feeder, if need arises.

II.                Just like a tool kit is important while purchasing a car, same is the case with respect to a Vibratory Bowl Feeder.

 11. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer provide all types of Accessories like

I.                   Stands

II.                Silos

III.             Escapement / Singulator

IV.             Linear Tracks / Gravity Tracks

V.                X-Y Table

VI.             Noise Enclosures

VII.          Hoppers

VIII.       Elevators

Using these Accessories makes things easy / faster while integrating the Vibratory Bowl Feeder with your Machine. Further details can be found at http://www.elscintautomation.com/download.html 

1. Is the Vibratory Bowl Feeder FULL WAVE or HALF WAVE Operation? 
   1. Due to FULL WAVE Operation, the vibrations are smooth and Spring Breakage is nil as compared to HALF WAVE Operation, which leads to regular Spring       Breakage / Bolt Breakage
   2. FULL WAVE Vibratory Feeders CONSUME 60% LESS ENERGY as compared to HALF WAVE Vibratory Feeders.
2. Is a Step Type Bowl being offered or a Cylindrical Bowl?
   1. CYLINDRICAL Bowls, which though cheaper, result in JAMMING of components and thus manual intervention every now and then.
   2. Step Bowl offer better performance.
3. Is the Bowl either of Cast Al or Stainless Steel 304 Grade?
   1. Cheaper 302 / 303 or Mild Steel Bowls do not last long and perform miserably after a period of time.
4. In case of Cast Al bowls,
   1. Is the tooling made in stainless steel or mild steel. Tooling should be made in stainless steel to be long lasting.
5. Is Argon Welding done or only Tack Welding is done?
   1. TACK Welding reduces the performance of the Bowl Feeder after 6 to 8 months
6. Does the Bowl have sufficient “Ribs” below the tracks?
   1. These improve the performance of the Bowl and also increase its life.
7. Are the Coils totally Encapsulated or Open.
   1. Open Coils are not only lower in performance but also are very dangerous in operation.
8. Are THREADED INSERTS used in all Aluminium Castings?
9. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder have an overflow arrangement?
   1. This can eliminate the need having a Sensor thus saving on cost.
   2. It makes the Bowl Feeder more reliable.
10. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder have a provide of “Window” to get the wrongly oriented components back into the Bowl or are those components taken into a separate tray for manually putting back into the Bowl?
    1. Providing a separate tray for manually putting back wrongly oriented components into the Bowl unnecessarily increases manpower and defeats the whole idea of a having a Vibratory Bowl Feeder.
11. If there is a Gravity / Linear Track, is there a Sensor with Auto-Switch Off Facility?
    1. This switches off the Vibratory Bowl Feeder when the track is full, thus saving on power and importantly noise.
12. Does the Vibratory Bowl Feeder manufacturer guarantee against Spring Breakage?
13. Is any Lining / Coating being offered?
14. Is the Lining / Coating Pasted or Sprayed or Rubber Molded?
    1. Pasted Coating comes out (gets removed very early
    2. Rubberised Coating does not last long and has a very bad finish (affecting smooth flow of components)
    3. Sprayable Polyurethane Coating of 0.8 to 1.00 mm thickness is the best as it gives longer life and better result. This type of coating also reduces the Noise Level drastically.
15. What type of Finish is provided?                                                               
    1. Buffed finish looks cheap and results in slipping of components on the tracks
    2. Bead Blast Finish is the best and equivalent to European finish.
16. What is the Vibratory Controller being offered? Is it of an Indian or European Make? Is it having CE Marking? Does it have facility of Voltage Compensation and OVERLOAD CUT-OFF.
    1. Due to Overload Cut-Off & Voltage Compensation, Coil burning problem is totally eliminated resulting in major savings on Spares.
    2. Indian Makes have a lot of problems and are not stable over a period of time.
17. Is the Controller housed in either Polycarbonate / Sheet Metal Control Panel?
18. How many Fuses does the Vibrator Controller have?
    1. It is better to provide 2 to 3 fuses as a safety measure
19. Does the Vibrator Controller Circuit have MOVs of sufficient rating? This is an added safety measure.

 

Further information on this can be found at - http://www.elscintautomation.com/download.html