Using air streams for part feeding systems—innovative and reliable solutions for orientation and transport

In the run of the last few years, highly automated assembly systems have been strongly improved. The assembly process nowadays is performed with a multiple of flexibility, process-speed and process-security, than it has been a few years ago. But, in contrast to the central assembly equipment, part feeding systems have hardly been changed. The existing methods of part feeding do not satisfy by far the needs of modern assembly equipment according to process-speed, process-security and neutrality of variants. They only cause a small amount of the investment but a large number of the problems. In many cases, the feeding units limit the maximum output of the whole system, as they do not reach the requested feeding rates of the assembly units. As an example large amounts of parts are still fed by vibratory bowl feeders which have a limited process-speed and a low reliability. Every bowl is in a way unique as its orienting devices have to be varied in the setup-process until the output is as demanded. Anyway, while the system is running, many breakdowns are caused by the feeders, as parts get stacked. At such disruption, the whole equipment has to stand still, causing high costs. Hence, innovative feeding technologies based on aerodynamic effects are being developed at the Institute of Production Systems.