Vibratory Bowls

Vibratory bowls and feeders use a variable amplitude control box to control a drive unit with thrusters oriented in the direction of part movement. A bowl with special tooling and tracks sized to the component is mounted to the drive unit to guide the parts. The tooling is also used to orient components within the bowl, guiding improperly oriented parts back into the bowl and allowing parts with the correct orientation to proceed.

Linear tracks also use vibratory drive units to move components in a straight line. Sensors and stops or gates are used to control the flow of parts along the tracks.

Drive units are available in electromagnetic and pneumatic drives. Parts are forced up a circular inclined track inside of the bowl. 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 component which aids traction, minimizes damage to the product and lowers acoustic levels.

Vibratory feeders are used by most industries including pharmaceutical, automotive, electronic, food, packaging and metal working.

Oddly, most of the vibratory bowl maunufacturers in the United States are within about 150 miles of Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of the ones in other areas of the country also have their roots there.