Part sorting with a vibratory feeder?

Vibratory feeders with part sorting features can make that process even more efficient by removing the most obvious defects early on before the products reach final quality control.

Probably one of the least utilized applications for part feeding is in the area of part sorting. In today's highly competitive, quality certified, over-analyzed, paper heavy manufacturing environment, anything that contributes to reducing the chance of a defect getting through the process to the end user is a considerable 'leg-up'. Applications range from sorting fasteners by length to feeding a sub-assembly with tooling designed to 'check' for missing components. Even when more accurate measures are required for final inspection, vibratory feeders with part sorting features can make that process even more efficient by gleaning out the most obvious defects early on. On more than a few applications, part feeding can be readily combined with vision or sensing devices that will take measurements that can quickly remove flawed pieces from the feed line and ultimately from getting to your valued customer. After removing non-conforming components, it my even be possible to improve the bottom line by recovering misassembled, damaged or defective assemblies and getting them right the second time around. As an example of how sorting can be accomplished in a vibratory feeder, Action Feed Systems recently shipped a multiple stage sorting unit to a fastener manufacturer in Puerto Rico. Vibratory feeder with part sorting

Typically, one size fastener is being manufactured and checked on any given shift, while other sizes are manufactured in the same area of the factory and are processed using the very same equipment. Murphy's Law being what it is, various sizes of fasteners inevitably end up in the same bins and tubs. To reduce this type of product mixing to the minimum, each batch is fed through a feed system developed to remove various rivets by length at speeds of 300-900 parts per minute. The operator has adjustable control over three part release chutes. Each blade can be set to sort out parts within a specified length range and has a chute that conveys the sorted rivets out to the appropriate bulk storage bin. Each application varies and closer tolerances may be better detected using other methods (since the vibration of the feed system may move the part 0.005-0.007” during operation, there are some limitations). Still, after figuring in the durability and dependability of a properly designed feed system into the equation, sorting or pre-sorting using this method may make for a noticeable improvement in QC operations which ultimately translates into greater customer satisfaction and for the long term, the bottom line can't be far behind that.