Vibratory Feeders - Uses for Bulk Material Systems

How-to implement vibratory feeders as part of a bulk materials operation is easily explained. Some may ask, what is a vibrating feeder and what application would they be used for? Simply put, a vibratory- feeder is a versatile machine that vibrates and enables loose materials to be conveyed or transferred along a trough, screen or tube.

A standard vibrating feeder assembly incorporates a hard wearing trough deck and a drive unit which can be mounted beneath or above the machine. The drive-unit generates an encompassing vibrating action introduced from an electric motor. This vibrating action initiates the movement of bulk materials such as fine powders, grains, glass-cullet, aggregates or coal in a forward motion along the trough, similar to a conveyor belt. Vibrating feeders are generally built in a rectangular three dimensional configuration or cylindrical design which can range in weight / size from 15 kilograms (33lb) for light model feeders for moving materials such as nuts, tablets or cereals up to the heavy-duty models weighing in excess of 10,000 kilograms (10t) for coal, ore and mining applications.

Vibratory feeders are typically classed within two industry groups and these groups are generally defined by the amount of bulk or loose materials which needs to be conveyed. These categories may vary between vendors although typically include 'light industry feeders' for moving bulk materials from 0.5 metric tonnes up to 20 tonnes per hour capacity, while 'medium to heavy-duty' feeders move 25 to 6000 tonnes per hour.

When selecting the correct sized feeder, one of the main parameters needed is the 'bulk density' of the material. A 'bulk density chart' can be found on numerous websites and lists a comprehensive range of material compositions. Once the correct density is determined, we can then calculate the correct feeder size based on the amount of material we need to move in 'tonnes per hour'. For efficient operation. It is best that the materials are dry or 'free-flowing' although a feeder can still accommodate a percentage of damp or cohesive materials.

How Feeders Work and Benefits

Vibrating feeders are classified in two sub-groups, these being Electro-magnetic feeders and Electro- mechanical feeders. Electromagnetic models incorporate an electric motor which energies a magnet, enabling it to activate multiple times per minute. Every time the magnet is energized it creates a 'stroke' action which resonates through the feeder trough and vibrates the materials in a uniform, high controlled flow towards the end of the trough. As there are minimal or no moving components in these feeders, they are exceptionally reliable units that offer precise feed control where batch weighing and flow control needs to be precise.

Electro-mechanical feeders are also reliable units with many models offering economical value compared to electromagnetic models. Material flow is courser and the occasional preventative maintenance will need implementing. Instead of magnet activation, these feeders may utilize an eccentric motor, vee-pulley, cam and bearing arrangement to introduce the vibrating action. These units are capable of operating in the harshest conditions and are unrelenting in moving massive volumes of coal, rock or aggregates.

Feeder Uses

Electro-magnetic and electro-mechanical feeders and screens are used in many bulk-handling applications where bulk materials are needed to transfer a relatively short distance perpendicular, angular or 'in-line' to adjoining process equipment, volumetric-bins, storage piles, silos, hoppers, conveyors or rock crushers.

Feeders can be mounted in an array of positions and are ideally suited in areas with limited floor space, abrasive environments and restrictive / hazardous locations. Vibratory feeders can be mounted from overhead support springs or floor mounted on rubber footings or spring devices.

Feeders are normally powered by 240 volt for light models or 415 volt / 50 hertz power supply within the Australasian region and can be equipped with a range of electrical control devices to maintain the material speed. Controllers are available in simple manually operated potentiometer (pot) versions, or fully integrated for remotely controlling batching, sensing, weighing or variable speed interfacing. Vibratory feeders are available in many models and can also be referred in the industry as, rotary feeders, grizzly bar screens, volumetric feeders, packing tables, spiral feeders, Vibrating - Conveyors, bin vibrators and Hopper vibrator, to name a few.

Vibratory feeders are the ideal 'compact' solution for increasing bulk handling productivity and are easily integrated into an operation or production line. They are a reliable range of process machinery that offer an economical means of product flow for conveying loose materials from volumetric-bins, hoppers and chutes. Vibrating feeders are suitable for just about any industry, application or environment for metering bulk materials in mixing, blending, batching or packaging operations, for continuous or intermittent flow.

Vibratory Feeders - Uses for Materials Handling Systems
For further information on selecting the correct vibratory feeder for bulk materials systems, contact Tekforce Engineering Pty Ltd for technical advice