Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss a linear vibratory part feeder for handling brake liners, typical sector-shaped components. Part feeders have been used in the industries for a long time to present the parts in a desired orientation. Berretty et al. (1999) discussed a class of mechanical filters that are capable of removing polygonal sections from the track of the feeder which are referred to as traps. The traps eliminate or reorient the parts until they reach the final desired orientation. A part feeder was developed using traps, to reorient the sector-shaped part to desired orientation. The desired orientation was the most probable natural resting orientation. The trap was mounted on a linear vibratory feeder. The adaptive part feeder developed was capable of identifying the size of the incoming part and adjust the trap to accommodate that. This set-up eliminates the use of different traps for different-sized sector-shaped parts and wastage of productive time in changing the traps for different sizes. A regression model was developed to predict the conveying velocity of part on the feeder.
Design/methodology/approach: A part feeder was developed using traps, to reorient the
sector-shaped part to desired orientation. Acrylic material was found to be
suitable for trap compared to aluminium. The adaptive part feeder developed was
capable of identifying the size of the incoming part using proximity sensors.
Depending on the size of the incoming part, the track width was adjusted dynamically
with the help of a stepper motor, rack and pinion arrangement. A regression
model was developed to predict the conveying velocity.
Findings: Typical brake liners in the size range of 40-60 mm (radius)
were considered for developing the adaptive part feeder. Based on performance
studies, the acrylic trap was found better than aluminium traps. The
appropriate frequency and amplitude of vibration for maximum conveying velocity
of the adaptive part feeder were found experimentally. Regression equation was
developed to determine the conveying velocity based on input frequency and
amplitude. The regression results were found to be in close agreement with the
experimental results.
Research
limitations/implications: The developed part
feeder is suitable for handling sector-shaped parts only.
Originality/value: This paper demonstrates an inexpensive adaptive part
feeding device for handling sector-shaped parts which can be extended for
handling other asymmetric parts also.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 227-236 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Assembly Automation |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |