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