What Are Feeders?
Feeders are industrial machines designed for feeding materials, typically powders or small mechanical parts, into a process or machine. Various types exist, including rotary feeders, screw feeders, vibratory feeders, and parts feeders. These devices work in conjunction with hopper scales and conveyors to automate the processes of feeding, aligning, and discharging materials.
Applications of Feeders
- Rotary and Screw Feeders: Used for feeding powders, these feeders discharge weighed powders from a hopper scale to the next process.
- Vibratory and Parts Feeders: Align and discharge small mechanical parts through vibration, enhancing efficiency in subsequent processing and packaging operations.
Principles of Feeders
- Volumetric Feeders: Operate by continuously feeding a fixed volume of material at a set rotation speed. Variations in material density and fluidity can affect the discharge volume.
- Gravimetric Feeders: Weigh the discharge weight continuously, adjusting the feeder’s speed for highly accurate continuous feeding.
Types of Feeders
- Rotary Feeders: Feature a vane-type rotary inside that pushes and discharges powder as it rotates.
- Screw Feeders: Have a pipe under the hopper with a built-in screw that conveys powder through.
- Vibratory and Parts Feeders: Automatically align and feed parts into a process through vibration generated by electromagnets.
Additional Information on Feeders
Material testing is crucial for feeders due to the wide variety of physical properties of powders and granular materials. Manufacturers conduct tests with actual materials to select the optimal model and components for specific applications. These tests ensure the feeder’s accuracy, significantly impacting the quality of the final product.