What Is a Straight Feeder?
A straight vibration feeder is a device that feeds parts by vibrating a straight chute.
The chute feeds the aligned parts to the next process. It serves as a buffer and is often used in combination with a Straight Feeder, but it can also be used as a stand-alone device by tilting it.
Straight Feeder can be divided into three types: fixed type, rubber foot type, and plate spring type. As with parts feeders, there are electromagnetic and piezoelectric drive systems. Straight Feeder is often used as one element of Parts Feeder and feeds parts aligned by Bowl Feeder in a straight line.
The parts are then fed to the next process. They are also useful when feeding parts from the parts feeder hopper to the bowl feeder.
Uses of Straight Feeder
Straight Feeder is used to mechanize and speed up production lines and assembly processes. Workpieces are placed in a bowl and vibrated to align them in a predetermined position and feed them to the next process, such as an inspection machine, assembly machine, or packaging machine. This system can automate the work of aligning and supplying parts, which was conventionally done manually.
The feeder can supply many types of parts, and is used for metal parts, rubber, plastic, electronic parts, medical equipment, food products, etc.
Principle of Straight Feeder
Straight Feeder is a device that vibrates a large quantity of parts, aligns them in a certain direction with the guidance of an alignment plate, and feeds them to a machine in the next process. Vibration is directional, and many can switch between forward and backward motion.
Depending on the mounting method, there are fixed, rubber-footed, and plate-spring types. Electromagnetic and piezoelectric drive sources are used for vibration.
1. Fixed Type Feeder
In the fixed type, the base of the Straight Feeder’s base and the lower base are directly fixed to each other. Since vibration is transmitted directly to the base, a thick and sturdy base and trestle are required. For this reason, it is employed only for small Straight Feeder. This type of feeder is used when handling a large amount of minute workpieces.
2. Rubber Foot Type Feeder
In the rubber foot type, the base of the Straight Feeder base and the lower base are fixed with rubber feet. This type of feeder is often used for relatively large Straight Feeder. Vibration adjustment is easy, and it is characterized by the ease of producing amplitude.
Rigidity requirements for the base and trestle are not high. However, due to the large oscillation of Straight Feeder, it is not suitable for minute workpieces or workpieces that are often subject to severe conditions for delivery to and from the transfer section.
3. Plate Spring Type Feeder
The plate spring type feeder is secured to the base and lower base of the Straight Feeder trestle by means of a plate spring. If a thick, solid base and trestle are not used, vibration will escape, resulting in poor workpiece advancement. Straight Feeder is suitable for workpieces that have many severe conditions for receiving and transferring to and from the transfer section because of its low vibration.
4. Drive Type Feeder
Electromagnetic and piezoelectric drive systems are often used to drive Straight Feeder. Half-wave drive type, full-wave drive type, inverter drive type, and high-frequency vibration type are available. Self-excited vibration, mechanical, and pneumatic systems are also used.
How to Select a Straight Feeder
When selecting a Straight Feeder,
1. Characteristics of the Target Part
First, it is important to analyze the characteristics of the target part. The appropriate Straight Feeder should be selected based on the weight, size, and material of the part.
2. Feeding Capacity
Feeding capacity is the number of parts that can be fed to the next process machine per minute. To increase the feeding capacity, there are multiple-row feeding methods as well as increasing the feeder speed.
3. Anticipated Problems
If problems are anticipated with alignment and ejection, such as parts with complex shapes that are easily tangled, damaged, or susceptible to static electricity, various countermeasures are added.
Other Information on Straight Feeder
1. Advantages of Straight Feeder
The advantages of introducing Straight Feeder are efficiency improvement, automation, and labor saving in the production line. Compared to manual parts feeding, the speed and accuracy of the operation are dramatically increased, resulting in higher productivity.
In addition, by using image processing, etc., defective parts can be detected and eliminated automatically. Mechanization can reduce human errors such as oversight and sorting errors.
2. Disadvantages of Straight Feeder
The disadvantage of Straight Feeder is its installation cost. Straight Feeder is often used as an element of a parts feeder, not as a stand-alone feeder, so it is necessary to consider how the equipment as a whole can work together. Matching with the current equipment is important.
It also requires the ability to respond when the object changes, and there is a risk that it may become completely unusable. Furthermore, it is important to reduce the risk of line stoppage due to feeder failure, which requires regular maintenance.