Feed System "Help"

Troubleshooting & Tuning

A Guide To Vibratory Parts Orienting Equipment

Maintenance Operations for Typical Vibratory Equipment

1. No vibration (usually an electrical problem)
   1. Power supply to control is OFF.
   2. Fuse in controller is blown.
   3. Cord to feeder is damaged or unplugged.
   4. Bowl or base is making contact with other equipment.
   5. There must be a small air gap between the bowl discharge & storage track, or pick-up nest.
      
      
2. Vibration (but slow or irregular parts movement)
   1. Input voltage to controller is fluctuating.
   2. Bowl is not secure in all four locating clamps.
   3. Feeder bowl is overloaded.
   4. Lubricant on parts or feeder bowl.
   5. Crossarm clamps holding bowl are not tight.
   6. Excess dirt on bowl or parts (clean).
   7. Mounting plate or table not sturdy.
   8. Leveling screws on legs not set firmly.
   9. Bowl is mounted on a machine which shakes and sets up an interference vibration.

   NOTE: The above list would apply to not only new equipment, but older units as well. Most problems are caused by improper use, installation, or damage from handling between the factory and the customer.

3. If bowl speed slows down or is very erratic
   1. Check to make sure all bolts on drive unit are tight. Systems require 250 lb. torque on top of spring packs and 325 lb. torque on bottom of spring packs.
   2. Check inside junction box (if drive unit is electrical) to see if ground wires are shorted out. If there is a short, replace coils. Gap setting is .060" for rectified units and .035" for non-rectified units.
   3. Test controller to make sure that the voltage fluctuates while turning the control knob. If there is not any fluctuationm then replace or order a service kit for your model controller. Repair kit should only be replaced by qualified personnel.
   4. Check the springs for cracks. If there are cracks, replace with new springs. Measure the thickness of the springs that are cracked prior to ordering.

   Tuning Instructions

   Drive units are tuned prior to shipping, but if tuning is required, follow the tuning instructions below:
   1. Prior to tuning, complete 3-A above, first. After all bolts are tight, turn controller down to the point where the parts are slowly moving up the inside of the track. After which, start slowly loosening either the top bolts or bottom bolts of one spring pack. While loosening the bolts, watch the parts inside the bowl to determine if the parts are slowing down or speeding up.
   2. If the parts slow down, the bowl is under sprung. If the parts speed up, the bowl is over sprung.
   3. The optimal tuning is when the bowl shows it is slightly over spring (or the parts speed up slightly then slow back down as the spring bolt continues to be loosened.)

   Under Sprung

   If the bowl is under sprung, add a spring (one spring pack at a time) and two spring spacers, re tighten and check. Continue this process until the bowl is slightly over sprung.
   
   
   NOTE: Remember to torque the bolts as described above prior to rechecking tuning. Also, try and make the number of springs per spring pack equal. If they do not equal, make the spring packs closest to the coils greater in number. Be sure that the bolts thread in at least 1½ times the diameter of the bolt and that they do not bottom out on the pull plate bracket. Also, follow 3-B above for gap settings. Make sure the thinner springs are toward the outside of the spring pack and the thicker springs are toward the inside against the base lug and crossarm.

   Over Sprung

   If bowl is over sprung, take off the thinnest spring, re tighten to specific torque and recheck as described above. If bowl is under sprung, at this point, add a thinner spring (usually 1/8" thinner than the one that was just taken off) and recheck. Continue tuning until bowl is slightly over sprung. Also, re-read and follow the above note under UNDER SPRUNG.
   
   
4. Special Tips
   1. Stands or tables on which feeder equipment is to be mounted must be level, rigid and of adequate strength to not set up its own resistance vibration, thus lowering the efficiency of the bowl. We recommend at least a 1" thick blanchard ground steel baseplate with 3" tube steel legs braced.
   2. Vibratory feeder equipment must not touch any track, bracket, or other equipment.
   3. Never attach other objects to the bowl or base drive.
   4. Operate vibratory feeder equipment at the minimum speed required to obtain good parts and meet specified rate.

Maintenance on Elevators

1. Periodic visual inspection of all moving, working mechanisms is imperative. Look for unusual wear areas or erratic motion and investigate immediately if any should appear.
2. While doing the visual inspection, listen for any sounds indicating any of the above problems or sound not normally present and investigate immediately.
3. Lubricate all bearings approximately every 3 months with an appropriate bearing grease.
4. Check the oil level in the gear box for each motor approximately once a month and replace approximately every 6 to 12 months.
5. Be sure the breather plug is in and operating appropriately.

Maintenance on Conveyors

1. Periodic visual inspection of all moving, working mechanisms is imperative. Look for unusual wear areas or erratic motion and investigate immediately if any should appear.
2. While doing the visual inspection, listen for any sounds indicating any of the above problems or sound not normally present and investigate immediately.
3. Lubricate all bearings approximately every 3 months with an appropriate bearing grease.
4. Check the oil level in the gear box for each motor approximately once a month and replace approximately every 6 to 12 months.