I.

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
In an industry, there will be a need to control and also protection of
material. Control can be to qualifie of the material or product and protection can
be how to storage the material or product. Both of that things have similar goal to
handle the material. Thus, it means industrials have a need of material handling to
handle their material. As a process, material handling incorporates a wide range
of manual, semi-automated and automated equipment and systems that support
logistics and make the supply chain work. Because of that need, industrial uses
some equipments to do so.
One of the equipment that is used to run those functions is parts feeder.
This is kind of positioning equipment because in material handling equipments
there are several type of equipments. Developments concerning parts feeder
technology already widely in design with a variety of types, one of that is a
vibratory blow feeder. Vibratory blow feeder has function to sort bulk package of
small components must be fed into another machine one-by-one.
1.2 Problem Formulation
Because of vibratory blower feeder in industry and also the importance of this
equipment, we need to have the knowledge about this equipment. This
knowledge including basic information and princple of this equipment that is
usually used in industry.
1.3 Objective
To know general principle of vibratory blow feeder and information in
industry about this equipment.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Principle of Vibratory Bowl Feeder
Vibratory bowl feeders are common devices used to feed individual
component parts for assembly on industrial production lines. They are used when
a randomly sorted bulk package of small components must be fed into another
machine one-by-one, oriented in a particular direction. In other hand, Vibratory
feeders are self-contained systems, comprising of a specially tooled bowl feeder
that orients the components, a vibrating drive unit upon which the bowl feeder is
mounted and a variable-amplitude control box.
The bowl feeder, including an out feed accumulation track to convey parts
along and discharge into the assembly machine are supplied in many shapes and
sizes. The drive unit, available in both electromagnetic and pneumatic drives,
vibrates the bowl feeder, forcing the parts to move up a circular, inclined track.
The track is designed to sort and orient the parts in consistent, repeatable
positions. The track length, width, and depth are carefully chosen to suit the
application and component shape and size. Special track coatings are applied
according to shape size and material of the parts which aids traction, damage to
the product and lower acoustic levels. A variable speed control box is used for
controlling the vibration of the bowl feeder and stops the flow of parts to the out
feed track via sensors. Vibratory feeders are utilized n many industries including,
pharmaceutical, automotive, electronic, food, Fast Moving Consumable Goods
(FMCG), packaging and metal working industries. It also serves other industries
such as glass, foundry, steel, construction, recycling, pulp and paper, and plastics.
Orientation relies on the shape and mechanical behaviour of an object,
particular the position of its centre of mass in relation to its centre of volume. It
thus works well for parts such as machine screws, with rotational symmetry and a
clear asymmetry to one heavy end. It does not work for entirely symmetrical
shapes, or where orientation depends on a feature such as colour. The ramps
within a bowl feeder are specifically designed for each part, although the core
mechanism is re-used across different parts.

The exit orientation of a bowl feeder depends on the part's shape and mass
distribution. Where this is not the orientation needed for the following assembly
step, a feeder is often followed by a twisted conveyor that turns the part over, as
needed.
With increasing integration across an entire production process, the need
for feeders is sometimes reduced by supplying the components on tape
packages or similar, that keep them oriented the same way during shipping and
storage. These are most common in fields such as electronics, where components
must be used in a particular orientation, but this cannot be detected mechanically.
The working principle of this

Vibratory feeders is relying on the

mechanical behaviour of a part, such that when gently shaken down a conveyor
chute that is shaped to fit the part, they will gradually be shaken so that they are
all aligned as Figure 2.1. They thus leave the feeder's conveyor one-by-one, all in
the same orientation. This conveyor then leads directly to the following assembly
or packing machine. Vibratory feeders offer a cost-effective alternative to manual
labour, saving manufacturers time and labour costs. Several factors must be
considered when selecting a parts feeder, including the industry, application,
material properties, and product volume.

Figure 2.1 Vibratory Blow Feeder

The Installation of this equipment in the isndustry as can be seen from Figure 2.2
below :

Figure 2.2 Vibratory Blow Feeder Installation

2.2 Vibratory Blow Feeder Main Components

There are several main components of vibratory blow feeder as follows :
1. Hopper
This is eliminate the problems associated with vibratory bowls being
overfilled. They provide a consistent supply of parts as well as reduce the need
for ferquent operator to parts level in the bowl. The reduced attention
requirement allow operator to focus on more productive functions of a
production life.

Figure 2.3 Hopper

2. Vibratory Bowls
This component is used to accomodate virtually any part that can be fed.
Vibratory feeder bowls are usually made from 300 series stainless steel,
because it's durable and easier to weld than other stainless alloys, says Freiherr.
Standard bowls are made from 304 stainless, while bowls for food and medical
applications are made of 316 stainless.Various coatings can be applied to the
bowl to protect fragile parts, reduce noise, improve part traction, and increase
the durability of the bowl.

Figure 2.4 Vibratory Bowls

3. Linier Feeder
This components is used to convey oriented parts in a linier motion across
tracks to another machine or process. The directional vibration enables linier
movement to be achieved with ease and prevents the need to apply non
directional vibration at an angle.

Figure 2.5 Linier Feeders

4. Part Escapement
This component is used to accurately seperate and position parts for pick up or
delivery by a robotic arm or pick and place system.

Figure 2.6 Parts Escapement

5. Feeder Stand
Feeder stands ensure all the vibration from base unit is transferred to the bowl.

Figure 2.7 Feeder Stands

6. Base Unit
This component is used to produce the vibration where the vibrations are
necessary for parts feeder bowls.
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Figure 2.8 Base Unit

The Complete unit of those components are as the Figure 2.9 below :

Figure 2.9 Vibratory Bowl Feeder Main Components

2.3 Detail of Vibratory Blow Feeder

The size of the bowl depends on the size of the part, but a good
starting point is what bowl builders call "the rule of seven."Measure the
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largest dimension of the part, multiply that by seven, and that will give you
the minimum diameter of the bowl.
From there, the size of the bowl can be modified depending on the
feed rate and the space limitations of the assembly system, Roering says. If
the feed rate is high, the bowl will have to be enlarged to accommodate more
parts and more lanes. Alternatively, the assembler can add a hopper feeder
that replenishes the bowl whenever the level of parts reaches a minimum
level.
The width of the track is also a function of part size. If the part is 2
inches wide, the track also has to be 2 inches wide. If the part is long and
slender, the track may have to be wider.
The pitch of the track--how steeply it rises out of the bottom of the
bowl--varies with the maximum height of the part. The bowl builder has to
provide enough clearance so that two or three parts stacked on top of each
other won't jam between the tracks. A flat part can be fed in a low-profile,
low-pitch bowl. If the part must stand on end or drop into a parallel track, the
bowl will have to be made taller to accommodate that.
"The key is not to get the climb rate too steep, because you have to
tune the bowl very high to push the parts up that hill," says Herbel. "You also
have to think about what will happen when the parts come out of the bowl
and start going downhill. If they go too fast, they'll vibrate out of control and
you'll lose the finesse needed for handling critical parts."

2.4 Problems and Maintenenace of Vibratory Blow Feeder

PROBLEMS OCCURING IN VIBRATORY FEEDERS

There are four basic malfunctions that bring attention to vibratory feeders:
1.

Declining feed rate due to low amplitude.

Usually this will occur

gradually over a period of time.

2. A dead spot in the bowl - parts will not feed past a certain point in the
bowl, even though they are moving elsewhere in the bowl.

3. Intermittent operation. The feeder will spontaneously run at excessive

amplitude or possibly no amplitude without apparent cause. Included in this
category is for a feeder not to work at all.

4. Noise in vibratory feeders.

Overhaul and Readjustment of Vibratory Feeders
It will be presumed that the remedies for problems outlined in the
section of this booklet have not worked or that you fee it is wise to overhaul
and retune the feeder for a preventative maintenance reason. If the feeder is
not easily accessible on its stand, it is advantageous to remove it to a solid
work bench. It is important that this work bench be very sturdy so that when
the feeder is tested, its optimum performance can be observed.
1. Remove the bowl, and clean the mating surfaces between the bowl and
the top casting of the base.
These surfaces can accumulate dirt, sometimes, and other material
that will make it difficult to draw the bowl tightly down on the top casting
of the base. These surfaces should be flat and clean. Using emery paper or
a flat file is adequate to recondition the surface.

2. Operating on one bank of springs at a time, loosen the springs top and
bottom and remove them.
Both ends of each spring, as well as the spacers and mounting
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surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned with either emery paper, a wire

brush or glass bead shot peened.
3. Examine each spring for cracks and corrosion.
The cracks will always occur adjacent to the hole punched in either
end, on this type of spring. Sometimes these cracks are not visible to the
naked eye, and a simple test is to hit the spring on something solid (dropping
it on the floor). Usually this will cause the spring to break thru.
Any pitted springs or spaces should be replaced.
Reassemble the springs and spaces in the manner in which they were prior
to disassembly.
Draw up the screw snug.
Do this on each remaining banks of springs.
On larger units, model 20 and up, the bottom of the spring is
sometimes fastened into a block which is in turn fastened into the base
casting. In this case, if the block is removed, the reassembly requires special
care. It is important when reassembling the springs to the top and bottom
castings that the spring s not be stretched as they are drawn tight by the
screws.

Adding stresses in this fashion to the springs will limit the

maximum amplitude and consequently the performance of the feeder.

When the springs are reassembled, each screw holding the springs
should be drawn up to a torque of about 50 inch pounds. While it is
generally not necessary to measure this, an Allen Wrench with a piece of
pipe about one foot long pulled up with good strength is adequate. It is very
important that the springs be drawn evenly and it is advisable to make two or
three attempts to pull up the springs in each case.

III. METHODOLOGY
3.1 Flowchart
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START

LITERATURE
REVIEW

DISCUSSION

DO THE
REPORT

FINISH
Figure 3.1 Flowchart

IV. Closing
4.1 Conclusion
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1. Vibratory blow feeder is a handling equipment.

2. Principle work of The working principle of this

Vibratory feeders is

relying on the mechanical behaviour of a part, such that when gently

shaken down a conveyor chute that is shaped to fit the part, they will
gradually be shaken so that they are all aligned.
3. There are several maintenenace in vibratory blow feeder.

REFERENCES
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Crawford, George.2000.Trouble Shooting Vibratory

Devices.An ISO 9001.Registered Company.

Feeders.Automation

Assemblymag.Part Feeding The Black Art Of Tooling Feeder Bowls.[Online]

Available : http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/84051-parts-feedingthe-black-art-of-tooling-feeder-bowls.[May-14th-2016].

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.htm.Material Handling Equipment.[Online]

Available :http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/materialhandlingequipment.[May14th-2016].

Wikipedia,

The

Free

Encyclopedia.htm.Bowl

Feeder.[Online]

Available

:http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowl_feeder.[May-14th-2016].

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