Hopper Feeding

Hopper Feeding

Hopper Feeding - The introduction of any form of automatic feed to a machine results in an immediate economy, since one operator can then attend to a number of machines instead of being confined to one.

The application of hopper feed is, of course, restricted to components of a size and shape which can be dealt with in this way, and is thus largely confined to smallish parts which possess a measure of symmetry in their shape.

Larger or unsymmetrical components may be fed by hand onto some form of chute or runway, and by this means some of the ful1 economy of automatic working is achieved.  In hopper feeding, the hopper, a container of suitable size and shape, is filled indiscriminately with components which by some suitable method sorts, orientates and delivers them into a chute or track for conveyance by gravity to the machine.

The method used for sorting and orientation will depend on the size and shape of the components; some shapes may require an auxiliary mechanism to ensure that they enter the delivery chute the right way up.

The desired result may be achieved by rotating the hopper or its base, in conjunction with fixed guides or baffles, by vibration or reciprocating motions, by a flat central blade or paddle wheel, and so on.Fig. shows hopper using rotary blade. In this design it is necessary for the rotating blade to pause at each delivery position so that the components collected may have time to slide off.

Hopper using Rotary Blade