Automation Devices, Inc.

Automation Devices Battles the Sound: Sound Enclosures and Sound Meter Apps Detect and Minimize Noise Associated with Vibratory Feeders

Alicia — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:37:37 +0000

Erie, Pa. – Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory bowl feeder and parts feeding system components manufacturer, is utilizing a free sound meter application to determine safe noise levels in vibratory feeding systems.

The noise emanating from vibratory feeding systems is typically a result of the parts moving in the bowl. The level can often exceed allowable noise levels in which operators must wear protective gear.
“Customers need to maintain a specific noise level on their shop floor,” explains ADI President Kevin Smith. “By accessing smart phone technology we are able to download a sound meter app and easily determine whether or not the vibratory system falls within their designated safe range.”

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Each year, approximately 30 million people in the United States are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise. Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most common occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Since 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss.”

“Sound enclosures reduce noise level within tolerance limits which reduces or eliminates the need for ear protection,” explains Smith. “It also makes the work environment more conducive to communication and productivity.”

ADI sound enclosures provide an extremely flexible and reliable solution to excessive noise resulting from parts feeding applications. Custom designed to each application, these sound enclosures are capable of reducing noise levels by 25 decibels (dBa) or more and feature tough extruded-aluminum frames, transparent, easy-open flip-top lid and lightweight construction. A variety of wall construction materials including Lexan, PETG and high-impact vinyl as well as a full variety of paints and coatings are available.
Automation Devices, Inc. product line includes vibratory feeders, inline and centrifugal feeders, hoppers and vibratory controllers. ADI offers in stock products and custom designed systems. Automation Devices, Inc. is ISO 9001:2008 registered.

For more information on sound enclosures for parts feeding, or to download the free sound meter app, please visit www.autodev.com or call Automation Devices, Inc. at 814-474-5561.

Automation Devices Battles the Sound: Sound Enclosures and Sound Meter Apps Detect and Minimize Noise Associated with Vibratory Feeders

Alicia — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:36:15 +0000

For more information on sound enclosures for parts feeding, or to download the free sound meter app, please visit www.autodev.com or call Automation Devices, Inc. at 814-474-5561.

Automation Devices Celebrates 65 Years in Operation

Alicia — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:44:15 +0000

Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory bowl feeder and part system components manufacturer is excited to celebrate the company’s 65th anniversary. The company was founded in 1947 by Floyd E. Smith and is now headed by his son Mr. Larry V. Smith, CEO and his grandson Mr. Kevin Smith, President. Starting in the basement of his house, the business was moved to a larger facility and in 1966 moved its operations to the current 20-acre suburban site in Fairview, PA. ADI specializes in the orienting and conveying of parts.
ADI President, Kevin Smith is delighted to celebrate this considerable milestone. “This is a great accomplishment for ADI,” says Smith. “With many of our competitors closing their doors in recent years due to a downward economy, we are one of the few who have remained open and continue to thrive. I think that says a lot about the high caliber of our products and the proficiency of our dedicated employees.”
Automation Devices, Inc. is a vibratory feeder manufacturer in Fairview, PA specializing in vibratory feeders, inline and centrifugal feeders, hoppers and vibratory controllers. ADI offers in stock products and custom designed systems. Automation Devices, Inc. is ISO 9001:2008 registered.
For more information, please call Automation Devices, Inc. at 814-474-5561.

ADI Employees Celebrate 40 Years of Service

Alicia — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:30:54 +0000

Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory feeder and part system components manufacturer, is pleased to announce the latest team member to celebrate 40 years with the company. Jack Ferguson started at ADI in 1971 and continues to be one of the most valuable vibratory bowl builders today. Ferguson joins five other long-time employees who have celebrated 40 years of service.

As a reward for such dedicated service, each 40-year employee receives a check for $4,000 on the anniversary of their date of hire. Other 40-year check recipients include Larry Smith, Tim Hardner, Dennis Getz, and Bob Hoover. The loyalty and commitment of long time employees represents stability for Automation Devices and gives customers consistent, high-quality products and services.

“We are very fortunate to have such dedicated employees,” says ADI President Kevin Smith. “In today’s economy it is uncommon to have employees that stay with one employer for 10 or 20 years, let alone 40. The longevity of our Company as well as our staff makes us stand out against our competitors.” “No where else in the industry will you find the experience and caliber of work that you find at ADI.”

Automation Devices, Inc. is a vibratory feeder manufacturer in Fairview, PA specializing in vibratory feeders, centrifugal feeders, hoppers and vibratory controllers. ADI offers in stock products and custom designed systems. For more information, please call Automation Devices, Inc. at 814-474-5561.

Automation Devices, Inc. Observes Surge in Automotive Industry

Alicia — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:54:16 +0000

Erie, Pa. – Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory feeder and part system components manufacturer, has seen a recent increase in activity from customers associated with the automotive industry. With an economic downtrend, automotive manufacturing appears to be on the upswing, creating a growing need for automated parts feeding systems.

“We have seen an increase in requests for quotes for vibratory feeding systems for the automotive industry,” explains ADI President Kevin Smith. “Automotive clips and fasteners, keys and rotor assemblies, are currently in high demand.”

“Several of our customers serve automotive companies,” explains Smith. “Our job is to provide a vibratory feeding system that can orient the given part in the mandatory direction for their production line. “Quick turn-around times and achieving the necessary feed rate is optimal to our success.”

According to Automotive News, “North American vehicle production in August saw an increase of 10 percent from the year-earlier month to 1,228,736 units. It was the 22nd consecutive month with a year-over-year increase. The previous longest streak was 20 months in 1993-95.”

“That is huge for an economy that has overall seen limited growth in the last year,” comments Smith. “Our goal is to embrace this economic boost and use it to our advantage. ADI will continue to provide our customers with the level of quality products they’ve come to expect.”

Feeding Frenzy: Automation Devices Specializes in FDA Approved Vibratory Feeders

Alicia — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:45:58 +0000

Erie, Pa. - Automation Devices, Inc. (ADI), a vibratory feeder manufacturer, offers customers in the medical, pharmaceutical and food industries viable options for safe, reliable parts feeding. ADI recognizes the need for customers to meet quality control regulations while maintaining costs and production time.
Medical and pharmaceutical companies take the utmost care in a superior level of quality when producing medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

“The automation and handling of these products are no exception,” explains ADI President Kevin Smith. Whether the part ranges from a pharmaceutical tube or vial to medical devices or apparatus, ADI engineers can determine the best feeding option for each individual customer. “Our job is to help companies with parts feeding solutions that work best for them.”

Food safety is a major concern for food companies, as they also have strict guidelines to follow. “ADI offers customers in the food industry several unique options for parts feeding,” explains Smith. “Vibratory feeder bowls coated with FDA approved paint is one option many of our customers have deemed a success.” Some food parts may not be suitable for standard vibratory feeder materials. Rigidized steel is a unique alternative for customers who have parts that continuously stick or clump together. “The pattern in the steel allows the parts to feed freely without causing unnecessary jams,” says Smith.
These are just several options available for ADI vibratory feeders.

Automation Devices Inc. produces a full line of tooled and un-tooled vibratory feeders and components including vibratory feeders, base units, inline feeders and controllers. They are located in Fairview, Pa. They can be contacted at 814-474-5561 or view ADI products at www.autodev.com

The Muscle Behind the Machine: Spring strength makes ADI vibratory feeders shine against competitors

Alicia — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:54:04 +0000

Erie, Pa. – Automation Devices, Inc. (ADI), a vibratory feeder manufacturer, is revealing what makes their feeding equipment stand out against the competition. The secret ingredient: heat treated and processed springs. A vibratory feeder’s “muscle” comes from its springs. Different combinations of spring thickness determine the “rough” tune to support the size, weight and configuration of the vibratory feeder bowl. Many feeder manufacturers stop there, offering a “generically” tuned feeder and relying on expensive frequency controllers to finish the tuning job of a feeder. This can prove to be a more expensive route both in the purchase price of a feeding system and maintenance costs down the road.

“The beauty and longevity of vibratory feeders lies in the theory that there are no moving parts,” explains ADI President Kevin Smith. “With no moving parts, vibratory feeders simply last longer than mechanical or rotary feed systems and require little or no maintenance. However, without the proper springs and tune, a vibratory feeder can be a maintenance hog, just like its mechanical counterparts,” says Smith.

A correctly tuned feeder requires heat treated and processed springs to give it strength and longevity. “Soft” steel springs will crack and break. The second most commonly skipped tuning process is torque. Each spring bank needs to be properly tightened to a relative torque setting based on the individual bowl configuration. Anything less than optimal will result in worn springs and spacers causing failure and downtime. Many feeder manufacturers supply “soft” springs and omit this torque process letting the frequency controller attempt to compensate for a bad tune.

Automation Devices, Inc. re-works all brands of vibratory feeders using only hardened springs and completes the tuning process with correct torque settings. “This ensures that wear, breakage and downtime are at a minimum,” says Smith. “Customers have found that purchasing a correctly tuned feeding system from Automation Devices with basic controls costs less than the “generic” feeders requiring sophisticated frequency controllers and will most definitely last longer.”

Automation Devices, Inc. is a vibratory feeder manufacturer in Fairview, PA specializing in vibratory feeders, centrifugal feeders, hoppers and vibratory controllers. Standard vibratory feeding components and equipment are in stock and available for next day shipping. An extensive inventory enables large, custom orders to be started immediately ensuring a prompt delivery. For more information, please visit www.autodev.com or call Automation Devices, Inc. at 814-474-5561.

6400 Series Controller Now Available from Automation Devices

Alicia — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:51:38 +0000

Erie, Pa. – Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory feeder and part system components manufacturer, has added a new feeder controller to its line. The 6400 series vibratory feeder controller offers customers a controller with digital display capabilities. Housed in a Nema-1 general purpose enclosure, the 6400 feeder controller is available in single, double and triple units. Input voltage for the 6400.1 model is 120VAC, 50/60 Hz, while the output is fused for 15 amps. The 6400 series features a soft-start adjustment and enables all adjustments to be made outside of the box with a status line message explaining the control’s operating state. It also measures feeder vibration and regulates the output accordingly, compensating for part load variations, feeder variations and line voltage fluctuations.
“The 6400 Series Controller is an excellent alternative to the 6800 series feeder controllers because it provides a digital display” explains ADI Electrician Matt Friend. “It also reduces part rate variation as the power line drifts and prevents excessive backpressure from jamming the assembly process.” This feeder controller also prevents excessive tooling wear because the bowl stops when the track is full. “This is also a great option for conserving energy, as the bowl feeds as needed,” explains Friend.
The 6400 series not only stores the vibration level set-point in memory, but also has 1000 steps of amplitude adjustment, providing very fine amplitude adjustment. If needed, a security code can be set to restrict the level of operator access.
The 6400 series controller is one product of many that ADI offers its customers for vibratory feeding needs. Automation Devices, Inc. is a vibratory feeder manufacturer in Fairview, PA specializing in vibratory feeders, centrifugal feeders, hoppers and vibratory controllers. ADI offers in stock products and custom designed systems. For more information, please visit www.autodev.com or call Automation Devices, Inc. at 814-474-5561.
~~End~~

Automation Devices’ Sticker Gives Accurate Amplitude Reading for Vibratory Feeding Components

Alicia — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:54:55 +0000

Erie, Pa. – Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory feeder and part system components manufacturer offers customers a simple, surefire way to measure amplitude for vibratory feeders with a simple sticker that is placed on the outside of a vibratory feeder bowl.

The amplitude sticker is a simple gauge for measuring your vibratory feeder’s amplitude. As the feeder’s amplitude increases, an optical illusion on the sticker occurs. Increases in vibration create a vertical line inside the “V” which can indicate the incremental measurement of vibration in “thousandths” of amplitude.
At the time of inspection of an ADI custom tooled feeding system, an amplitude sticker is fastened to the bowl or track and observed to determine the optimal incremental setting where the bowl or track produce the most efficient and productive feed rate. The optimum operating amplitude is then recorded on the inspection report for use by the customer for set-up and production running.

The unique characteristic of the amplitude sticker is that its measurement is only relative to your feeder’s optimum output amplitude and cannot be affected by other external variations such as low line current or variations in controller potentiometers that would not offer a constant amplitude reference.

“Our customers have found this to be a helpful mechanism when they receive their feeder,” explains ADI President, Kevin Smith. “If someone is unfamiliar with how a vibratory feeder operates, it can be difficult to determine the proper feed rate. This is a simple tool to help customers through the initial steps of setting up their feeding system.”

To learn more about how amplitude stickers work with vibratory feeding systems, or to request a free amplitude sticker, please contact Automation Devices.

Specialty Certifications let Automation Devices Shine against Competitors

Alicia — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:53:17 +0000

Erie, Pa. – Automation Devices, Inc (ADI), a vibratory feeder and part system components manufacturer, has recently been successfully registered in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR Part 122) with approval from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) for the manufacture and export of “Defense Articles” and are also currently listed on the Central Contractor’s Registration (CCR) for participation in the Government bid process.

These registrations authorize ADI to manufacture and supply automation machinery, vibratory feeders, capping machines from its Swan-Matic division and material handling equipment from its Fork Rhino product line, to government agencies as well as civilian industry whose end user will be government agencies.
“This is an important designation for us,” explains ADI President Kevin Smith. “Not only does this put us on a government-restricted list for the manufacturing of defense equipment, but it also gives us a competitive edge against our competitors who may not have the time or money to complete this rigorous classification.”

Automation Devices, Inc. is also an IS0 9001:2008 Registered Company. “An ISO certification means that we are compliant in a variety of areas,” says Smith. “Essentially, it is a set of standards that we uphold each day. When customers see that we are ISO registered, they know that we have met all of the requirements predetermined by ISO that ultimately assures they will consistently receive the same quality product every time they order.”