What is a Vibratory Feeder?

A vibratory feeder is a short conveyor used to convey bulk materials using a controlled system of vibratory forces and gravity. Vibration transfers a combination of horizontal and vertical acceleration to the material being handled through a throwing, jumping, or sliding type of action. Gravity counteracts some of the acceleration generated by the vibration and helps move the material in a certain direction.

A basic vibratory feeder consists of a trough supported by springs, hinged links, or other force-dampening mechanical components. These isolate the vibrating feeder from the structural members of the building which can cause unwanted reaction forces. Attached to the trough is a drive unit that produces high frequency, low amplitude oscillations. These oscillations are tuned to create the desired movement of the material.

A vibratory feeder is one of the many pieces of equipment designed for bulk handling. Bulk handling materials have certain properties that separate them from fluids (liquid and gas). Other equipments used for transporting bulk materials are screw conveyors, belt conveyors, apron conveyors, flight and drag conveyors, pneumatic conveyors, reciprocating plates, and so on.

Vibrating Feeder     

Overview of Bulk Material Handling

Bulk materials are dry solids that can be in powder, granular or particle form with different sizes and densities randomly grouped to form a bulk. These materials have varied behaviors depending on temperature, humidity, time, and so on. They do not flow as easily and are as predictable as liquids and gases. They can also easily degrade any equipment for conveying and handling by erosion and impingement.

In handling bulk materials, it is important to know their properties as summarized below. These properties must be determined to properly design bulk handling equipment.

Adhesion: This is the property of a material to stick or cling to another material. When being gravimetrically discharged, they tend to arc, bridge, cake, etc. while clinging onto the surface of the container. This behavior can interrupt the material flow. A debriding mechanism is needed to break this formation.

Cohesion: This is the ability of the material to attract or stick onto materials with the same chemical composition. Highly cohesive material does not flow readily as they tend to clump together.

 Vibrating Grizzly Feeder     

The angle of Repose: This is the maximum angle made by the lateral side of a cone-shaped pile of falling material with the horizontal. This indicates how free-flowing a material will be. The angle of repose is particularly useful in designing feeders and conveyors relying on gravity.

The angle of Fall: This is the angle made by the slope of the cone with the horizontal after getting the angle of repose and applying an external force to collapse the cone.

The angle of Difference: This is the difference between the angle of repose and the angle of fall. The greater the angle of difference, the greater the free flow characteristic of the material.

The angle of Slide: This is the angle made by a flat surface containing a certain amount of material with the horizontal. This indicates the material‘s flow characteristics inside hoppers, pipes, chutes, etc.

The angle of Spatula: This is measured by taking a spatula into a heap of sample material and lifting it with maximum material coverage. The angle of the spatula is the average of the angles made by the lateral sides of the material with the horizontal.

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