Feeding of balls in a vibratory bowl feeder is quite challenging for most bowl feeder manufacturers. The main reason for this is that the balls have a tendency to roll back in bowl and they do not move up the track. However, there is a way to solve this problem and ensure that the balls get fed properly. A special type of bowl is required for this application to ensure that the bowls do not roll back. Further, it has to be backed by a correctly configured vibratory drive unit. If the vibrator driver is not properly configured, the balls might roll back, even if the bowl is correct.

Vibratory bowl feeders make noise and especially if the vibratory bowl feeder is a large one. Further if the parts being conveyed are metallic, the noise level further increases. To some extent this noise level can be reduced by coating the bowl with polyurethane coating like Elscinthane PU coating. However, this does not eliminate the component to component contact which too increases the noise. To reduce this noise, the only way is to provide for a noise enclosure for the complete vibratory bowl feeder. These are usually available in three types –

1.      Square or rectangular mild steel cover with acoustic foam lined on the inside

2.      Round shaped mild steel cover with acoustic foam lined on the inside

3.      Acrylic enclosure fixed with aluminium extruded Sections

Depending upon the budget, type of component, model of the bowl feeder and the noise reduction requirement of the customer, the right type of noise enclosure can be chosen. A noise reduction of between 10 Db to 20 Db can be achieved with the help of noise enclosures. While using a noise enclosure, it should be seen whether the same is made easily removable. This is so because if any maintenance is required on the bowl feeder, valuable production time should not be lost while removing the cover. If proper toggle clamps are used, the noise enclosure can be removed very fast. Further, it is better to have the top cover of transparent acrylic of a high thickness to ensure that it does not only reduce the noise but helps the operator to check whether the number of pieces in the bowl have reduced / or require replenishment.

Usually a level controller should be provided with the noise enclosure with a tower lamp to provide indication in case the levels of components in the bowl reduces. This feature is very popular with most customers as it relieves the operator from continuously checking the level of components in the bowl

While designing a bowl feeder, deciding upon the height of the bowl is very important. If the bowl height is very high, then the bowl will not work properly and further the parts or components to be fed will jump a lot as they approach out top of the bowl. Therefore orientation and proper feeding will be a major problem. If the bowl height is too less, then space required for orientation is very less, resulting in jamming and entanglement of parts. The loading capacity too will be very less. Hence, it is always better to purchase bowl feeders from established and a reputed company like Elscint Automation, which has the correct technology and skills to plan and design a bowl having the correct height.