Product category:
Automation and assembly equipment
News Release from: Automation Devices | Subject: Vibratory bowl feeders
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 January 2006
Consider part feeding during product
design
Early in the design stage of an assembly machine, the parts used in the assembly should be analysed to determine how well they would feed in a vibratory feeder bowl.
Theory currently being taught in Supply Chain Management Courses is integrating suppliers at the product design stage Involving an automation equipment supplier at this point will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to introduce your product to the market and can equate to extremely large cost reductions and market share gains
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 17 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Web site details vibratory parts feeding equipment
A Web site containing more than 250 pages of information has been compiled by an automation equipment supplier to assist users seeking information on vibratory parts feeding.
Brochure and CD highlight automation capabilities
Brochure and CD highlight custom designed systems for automated assembly ranging from simple semi-automated workstations to complete integrated assembly systems.
It is also used to develop strategic competitive advantages by strengthening relationships.
Integrating suppliers at the product design stage enables them to provide useful and often much needed insight.
Obstacles and opportunities can be realized prior to implementation.
Further reading
Vibratory feeders for multiple part styles
A final decision on the choice of a vibratory feeder should be based on a review of a number of variables, says Action Feed Systems. Check the parameters.
The 'Low-down' on inside tooled feeder bowls
What is an inside tooled feeder bowl? Which parts are good candidates for inside tooled feeding? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of part feeding?
Cutting costs on part feeding systems
If you're an end user or an automated machine builder you really need to know - how can I save on my next part feeding system?
Early in the design stage of an assembly machine, the parts used in the assembly should be analysed to determine how well they would feed in a vibratory feeder bowl.
Take a ball bearing as an extreme example: this part will not feed up the spiral track in the feeder bowl.
However, it is easily fed with an alternative style bowl.
Another important consideration is how reliably a part will orient in a feeder.
A part needs some geometry that allows the bowl tooling to tell one side from the other, or one end from the other.
That so-called 'checking point' must permit the oriented part to pass through the bowl's tooling, yet reliably reject improperly oriented parts.
Even with both of conditions resolved, there is still the matter of delivering an adequate supply of parts to the using machine.
These are just a few elements that require consideration prior to automation and using vibratory feeders to orient parts.
Consideration of vibratory feeding prior to finalising product design can lead to exponential savings in automation equipment and tooling.
The easier something is to orient, the more cost effective it will be to automate the assembly process and greater quantities can be produced in less time.
Though this is well known and understood, a leading cause of project rejection is because final costs of automation are estimated or determined after product design.
Cost reductions are not realised when they are most needed.
Early supplier integration hinges on trust and expertise.
Automation Devices knows that trust and reliability is the key component to a successful relationship and that a company is only as strong as the weakest link in their supply chain.
It is this understanding that contributes to their 59 years of successful vibratory feeding operations.
* About ADI -Automation Devices (ADI) is an ISO 9001:2000 registered industry leading designer and producer of vibratory parts feeding systems.
ADI's vibratory parts feeding systems are used throughout the world by companies in pursuit of automation and production efficiency.
ADI employs over 50 people at two manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
and Canada.
ADI's Canadian Division, Automation Devices Canada, manufactures engineered assembly machines for some of Canada's premier manufacturers.
The Company also has a bottle capping equipment division called Swan-Matic.
It is known for extremely durable semi-automatic benchtop cappers and custom designed cap drivers.
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