STEP FEEDER

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WHAT ARE STEEP FEEDERS?

A few years ago, TAD expanded its product range, mainly based on vibration, with other electromechanical elements such as slat feeders, which complement its wide range of possibilities for feeding parts in any production process.

Slat feeders, also known as “cascade”, “oscillating slats” or “stepfeeder”, are a necessary complement to traditional electromagnetic feeding for a whole range of parts which, due to their volume, surface finish, aggressiveness, etc., exceed the acceptable limits for processing by vibratory feeders. They are particularly suitable for feeding: tubes, rods, bushings, shafts, ball joints, bolts, screws, among other parts.

OPERATION OF SLAT FEEDERS

The feeder generally consists of 4 oscillating blades made of treated steel and a built-in hopper, and is driven by a geared motor. The design of the blades, in each case, fulfils the function of pre-selection and dosing of the parts in their transport (elevation) before their final orientation (using mechanical, pneumatic or other devices) and delivery to the corresponding production unit (by means of Link Units such as: gravity chute, belt conveyor or linear vibrator).

The feeder is usually accompanied by a self-contained unit, also called a “hopper” or “bunker”, which is designed according to the required capacity, with widths of 200 to 500 mm and lengths of 600 to 1500 mm. The conveyor belt is shock and tear resistant and the sides of the hopper are covered with plastic material. In the event of needing to remove or evacuate the parts from the autonomy unit, a hinged rear hatch is provided which, together with the reversal of the conveyor motor, facilitates rapid emptying of the unit.

A cabinet centralizes all the electrical and pneumatic control of the unit for autonomous operation.

We also have more feeder systems according to the needs of your project: mechanical and centrifugal or Vibratory Feeders.

OPERATION OF SLAT FEEDERS

The parts to be fed define the slat feeder model and the needs or constraints in its application are no obstacle to its realisation (loading height, capacity, speed, special regulations, etc.).

In order to adapt to the requirements of our customers, we have several models ranging from a useful width of 250 mm to 1000 mm, in standard formats, with the possibility of designing special customised formats if required.

The slats are driven by a 0.55 kW three-phase geared motor and, in the version with electrical cabinet, a variable speed drive is included.

Likewise, the level of parts in the reception hopper is controlled by a sensor or photoelectric barrier that activates, or not, the hopper or parts store (Autonomy Unit). The standard height of parts delivery is 1050 +/- 25 mm. Higher heights are not a problem.

These systems, which are widely accepted in Europe, have the following main defining characteristics: versatility, excellent treatment of the parts they feed, noise reduction, robustness, durability and capacity to feed semi-heavy, bulky and abrasive parts.