Smooth move

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While the more common drive for vibratory conveyors is by electric vibrating motors, their physical characteristics make them inherently unsuitable for very large strokes and long conveyor lengths, since they need to drive through the centre of gravity of the tray. To obtain a true linear action two motors are needed with consequent increase in weight and complexity.

Vibration Systems & Solutions has recently designed a conveyor of 6.5 m length for a well-known confectionery company in NSW using an air vibrator and blade springs.

The drive is mounted at one end of the conveyor tray so that it automatically drives through the centre of gravity, and since the piston vibrator gives a true linear action, only one unit is needed. The weight of the drive unit is only 5.6 kg.

The blade springs operate at their resonant frequency, which allows the use of a relatively small vibrator, with consequent low air usage. While the frequency remains constant, the amplitude can be easily adjusted by throttling the exhaust to give transport speed variation.

The tray is of stainless steel and, for this application, has a perspex cover and inlet ports along the length to accept product from various machines. There is also a small screen section at the discharge to remove small pieces of broken product.

The photo shows a similar type of conveyor but with the drive under the tray, which is useful where space is at a premium.