For over 40 years, Vibcon has provided highly effective solutions for our customers’ feeding and assembly needs. With extensive industry knowledge and expert design skills, we custom manufacture parts feed systems to meet even the most demanding specifications.
Engineering Process
Here is a quick overview of the engineering process when requesting a custom-built parts feeder:
- The customer sends a purchase order.
- The customer sends part drawings for the parts that will be fed through the feed system.
- The customer sends the physical parts.
- Vibcon contacts the customer to finalize the design, bowl rotation, and any other required information for building a custom parts feeder.
Bowl
Vibcon engineers and handcrafts vibratory bowl feeders to accommodate specific part requirements. The proper diameter for the bowl depends on part shape, size, and orientation. Diameter sizes include:
- 8”, 10”, 12”, 15”, 18”, 21”, 24”, 27”, 30”, 36”
Depending on the application, vibratory bowls are available in thicknesses ranging from ⅛” to 11 gauge. Materials used include 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel, which is best suited for medical-grade applications.
Plate
After determining the bowl size, we identify the necessary plate thickness using the guide below:
- 1 ½” plate thickness for 8” bowl
- 2” plate thickness for 10”, 12”, 15”, 18”, or 21” bowl
- 2 ¼” plate thickness for 21”, 24”, or 27” bowl
- 2 ½” plate thickness for 30” or 36” bowl
Drive
Since the drive unit sits directly under the vibratory bowl, the drive unit’s size will match that of the bowl.
Vibratory In-Line and Track
Parts feed systems have powered horizontal vibratory and inline tracks. Horizontal vibratory tracks usually store pre-oriented parts, while inline tracks have an exit point away from the bowl for finished parts or to allow the parts to feed into another machine. For easy shutdown, we can install a full track switch that powers down the feeder when the track is full.
Standard inlines must exceed 14” and mini inlines must be at least 6”. Depending on your needs, two to seven spring packs can be installed on the parts feeder system.
Photoelectric Laser Sensors
Photoelectric and laser sensors aid in applications involving absence, presence, inspection, gating, measurement, counting, and positioning. Sensors are available in multiple materials and sizes to meet strict regulations and requirements across many industries.
Vibcon can supply the following photoelectric lasers for your feed system.
- Full track lasers
- Low track lasers
- Hopper lasers
Controller
Our controllers are OEM equipment that can be customized to meet your needs for controlling on-off settings and vibratory frequency. The RODIX FC-200 Plus Series Feeder Cube offers the same durability as the FC-90 Plus Series, but with digital control capabilities and setup adjustments enabled via the keypad on the front cover. With an easy-to-read LCD screen, operators can fine-tune the feed rate and check the status of the sensor and auxiliary output. The controller is UL and cUL approved, and CE marked units are available.
Available controllers from Vibcon include:
- Single controller connected to the bowl only
- Dual controller connected to the bowl and track
- Triple controller connected to the bowl, track, and hopper
Hopper
The hopper consistently feeds parts into the bowl, allowing line operators to multitask while the system runs attendant-free. Vibcon Engineering determines hopper size based on PPM and how long you require attendant-free operation.
Standard hopper sizes include:
- 1/4 cu ft
- 1/2 cu ft
- 1 cu ft
- 2 cu ft
- 3 cu ft
- 5 cu ft
- 7 cu ft
- 10 cu ft
Hoppers are made of 1018 low-carbon steel, with available thicknesses ranging from ⅛” to 11 gauge.
Table
Depending on your production needs, Vibcon can create custom, stand-alone tables or mounting stands to support your parts feed system.
Escapement
For an efficient, turnkey solution, we offer end tooling, which allows custom-designed parts feed systems to mate with your existing equipment.
Vibcon’s escapement solutions include:
- Dead-end nests
- Shuttle
- Escape and blow
- Pick and place systems
Enclosures
Vibcon produces custom modular enclosures to protect products, operators, and the parts feed system from factory floor hazards such as moisture, dirt, heat, and sound.
Trust Vibcon to Build Your Custom Parts Feed System
Regardless of how demanding your application is, Vibcon can design and manufacture a highly effective solution to meet or exceed your expectations and relevant industry standards. Vibcon’s reputation for crafting unique solutions for customers’ feeding and assembly needs means that you can count on the highest quality products and services when you work with us. Contact us today to learn how we can design and build your custom parts feed system.
