Banner has recently introduced a new addition to their iVU line. They have added a sensor capable of color inspection while also still having the ability to be reprogrammed on-site. The traditional ivu could only handle grayscale applications and patterns. With this added ability we have seen many opportunities for applications involving quality control and orientation based on color.

Typical contrast sensors have their core capabilities and don’t always work for some applications. The older contrast sensors were not user-friendly and didn’t have much flexibility. Now with the iVu integration the part changeover processes are seamless for the end user. Having that ability to see what is going on with the built-in screen is a big pro to many production managers and operators.

The iVu Color sensor implemented with a vibratory feeder bowl can monitor parts for color or color variations while also looking at type, size, orientation, or position. The three main functions of this color system are average color, color area, and color compare.  Some examples of applications would be checking for stain color on wood or metal, verify color on bottle cap, confirm label color on a package, verify label based on color, monitor ink color changes over time, and provide color information for part sorting. The most utilized feature of this vision system for vibratory feeders is the part sorting based on color.

If you think this system would be a good addition to your next feeding system, please consult us today.

Each vibratory feed system is quoted with the option of an auxiliary storage hopper. These devices are used to hold extra parts for replenishing the supply in the bowl. Hoppers are set to operate automatically by a signal from a level control switch, thus eliminating either a deficiency or an over-supply of parts in the bowl from an operator. The construction varies depending on the application at hand. Electromagnetic drives and conveyors can be used in sync with the hopper bins. These drives can either be isolated or attached to the storage bin depending on the capacity of parts in the storage bin. Larger units require isolated tray’s and conveyors to prevent the full pressure of the parts from weighing down. This allows more forward motion as they meter out into the bowl center dome.

It’s important to consider a hopper on each vibratory system because it can keep production running without any shortages. Multiple lane feed bowls require a significant volume of parts in order to operate efficiently. This makes the loading of the system difficult which puts more responsibility on the operator to keep the system populated. Incorporating a hopper will not only eliminate that responsibility but it will keep the system operating at the correct level of parts all the time 24/7. Each hopper can be equipped with a low level bin sensor which can be used to trigger a stack light or audible alarm for the loading process. This convenience allows a vibratory feed system to run for hours without the need to refill and monitor consistently.

FCI hoppers vary in size from 1/4 cubic foot all the way up to 6 cubic foot capacity. If larger capacity’s are needed an Elevator/Pre-Feeder can be used. Each hopper has an adjustable front gate in which case the customer can adjust to allow for the correct volume of parts to exit each time the hopper driver turns on. With our fabrication capabilities, FCI is able to customize each hopper to the customers requirements. This would include trimming panels or extending/widening the bin dimensions. Our customers like this versatility because it keeps the overall load height to a minimum dimension and also allows the system to fit within the given real estate.

Feeding Concepts Inc. was requested to present round aluminum parts end to end down an assembly line in a correct orientation. The parts were symmetrical, with internal differences that had to be presented leading or trailing in a correct orientation.  With no real outer differences in the part a camera was used to see the inner hole leading and trailing. Feeding them to the robot with 100% orientation was a must for the customers application.

Feeding Concepts Inc. designed a vibratory feeder with a vision system to check for proper orientation of the parts leading and trailing. The camera detected whether the chamfer was leading or trailing on the inner edge of the part as it moved along the vibratory bowl tooling. Using a sensor trigger, the camera takes a photo at the correct moment as the part passes and detects a misoriented part. It then fires an air jet to blow the bad part out of the selector and back into bowl return pan.

Using a vision system in the bowl tooling Feeding Concepts Inc. saved the machine builder from sensing and flipping the part 180 degrees.  Feeding Concepts was able to accomplish this in the vibratory feeder tooling with a high rate of feed, this saved any need for a mechanical flip and reduced the size and cost of the system.

This machine fed many parts, some were end to end with no differences and some were selected end to end with the vision system. This was done with a simple program change by the customer giving the end user the flexibility to change over to another part in minutes. The camera can simply run the correct program for the correct part to detect visual differences when part change over is needed. New parts can be added to the system in the future with little to no tooling changes.

For more information please visit our Vision System web page.