Parts feeder delivers 128 plastic mouldings per minute

Grimm Automation, which is represented in the UK by Unite Automation, has designed and manufactured a system for delivering approximately 128 correctly orientated plastic mouldings per minute. The system comprises a BBV hopper to accept bulk components, a ZF50 centrifugal feeder with a level switch to control the hopper, a conveyor on which a linescan camera checks parts for correct orientation, a means by which incorrectly orientated components are returned to the hopper, a 2m horizontal linear powered track with a 90-degree bend, and pneumatics to separate the components into three groups of ten to avoid jamming due to excessive back pressure.

Tooling on the centrifugal feeder delivers components in single-file but in random orientation, but at a rate sufficient that incorrectly orientated components can be rejected and the remainder meet the customer's requirement of 128 parts per minute. Efficient delivery of parts is ensured by means of an automatic fault-clearing function.

Grimm supplied the system as a self-contained unit with its own PLC and guarding.