Vibratory Feeder FAQs | Selection, Sizing & Feed Rates
By CVC Team
Vibratory feeders provide controlled movement of bulk materials from one process to another. They can be used to feed mixers, crushers, screeners and furnaces; meter ingredients; fill containers; or spread material across another product or process.
Cleveland Vibrator offers air-powered, electromechanical and volumetric feeder configurations with adjustable material flow and a wide range of tray, discharge, isolation and control options.
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How does a vibratory feeder work?
A vibratory feeder moves material through a series of very short, rapid movements along the feeder tray. Although it appears to the eye as a continuous stream, the material is actually making repeated small hops forward.
The vibratory drive and tray are designed to create controlled movement in the desired direction.
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What is a vibratory feeder used for?
Vibratory feeders can move bulk material from one process to another, meter ingredients into a process, feed furnaces or equipment, fill containers and spread or sprinkle material.
Applications can include feeding ingredients to mixing tanks, adding foundry binders, feeding metal components to heat-treating furnaces and delivering scrap or glass cullet to furnaces.
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How do you size a vibratory feeder?
Feeder sizing begins with the material and required capacity. Important factors include required feed rate, bulk density, particle characteristics, desired bed depth, tray width and length, tray shape, discharge arrangement and downstream process requirements.
These variables should be evaluated together rather than selecting a feeder solely from a nominal tons-per-hour figure.
Read to Learn More: How to Design and Size a Vibratory Feeder Conveyor
What determines the capacity of a vibratory feeder?
Capacity depends on several variables, including tray width, tray configuration, material bulk density, material depth and the rate at which the material travels.
A flat tray, V-shaped tray and tubular feeder of similar overall dimensions will not necessarily have the same capacity.
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How do I control the feed rate of a vibratory feeder?
Depending on the feeder design, feed rate can be adjusted by changing vibration intensity, operating frequency and material depth at the feeder inlet.
A variable-frequency drive can provide additional control on electromechanical feeders, while air-powered and electromagnetic designs have their own methods of varying vibration. Hopper gate position can also influence the amount of material placed on the feeder tray.
Read to Learn More: 3 Variables that Influence Material Flow from Vibratory Hopper Feeders
Why is my vibratory feeder feeding inconsistently?
First look at the material itself. Significant changes in particle size, density, moisture or flowability can make consistent metering difficult even when the feeder is operating correctly.
Other variables include hopper gate opening, bed depth, vibration force, frequency and downstream process speed. Work through these variables systematically when precise material delivery is required.
Read to Learn More: 3 Variables that Influence Material Flow from Vibratory Hopper Feeders
Can a vibratory feeder provide precise metering?
It can provide controlled and repeatable volumetric flow when the material and process conditions are suitable.
For precise applications, consistency in particle size, density and flow characteristics becomes increasingly important. Variable controls allow the feed rate to be tuned to the application.
Read to Learn More: 3 Variables that Influence Material Flow from Vibratory Hopper Feeders
Can a vibratory feeder handle powder?
Yes, vibratory feeders can be designed for many powdered and granular materials, but the material’s flow characteristics must be considered.
Very fine, cohesive, dusty or aerated powders may require different hopper geometry, tray design, covers, liners or vibration parameters than a coarse, free-flowing granular material.
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What feeder tray shape should I use?
The best tray depends on the material and process.
Cleveland Vibrator offers flat, V-shaped and tubular configurations, along with different discharge styles. A flat tray can maximize open conveying area, a V-shaped design can help contain material and a tubular design can provide greater containment where dust control or enclosed conveying is important. Tray shape also affects capacity.
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Can a vibratory feeder be enclosed?
Yes. Dust covers and tubular tray configurations can be incorporated into feeder designs.
Enclosure may be beneficial where the process involves dusty material, product containment or environmental control.
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Can a vibratory feeder spread material evenly?
Yes. In addition to transporting material from Point A to Point B, a properly configured vibratory feeder can spread or sprinkle bulk material across another product or conveyor.
Feeder force, frequency and operating speed can be adjusted to create a controlled layer of material across a process below the feeder.
Read to Learn More: How to Design and Size a Vibratory Feeder Conveyor
Can a vibratory feeder feed a mixer, screener or furnace?
Yes. These are common applications. Vibratory feeders can serve mixers, shredders, crushers, screeners, furnaces, production processes and final containers.
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What is the difference between an air-powered and electric vibratory feeder?
Air-powered feeders use pneumatic vibration and can provide a simple solution where compressed air is readily available. Electric electromechanical feeders use electric vibratory motors and can incorporate controls for speed and vibration intensity.
Air-powered feeders can also be attractive in some hazardous-area applications, subject to the requirements of the installation.
Read to Learn More: Air-Powered Vibratory Feeders
Can a vibratory feeder be integrated with a hopper?
Yes. Feeders are frequently supplied beneath storage hoppers.
The hopper can be attached to the feeder system or remain a separate, non-vibrating structure depending on the process. Hopper geometry and gate opening should provide material to the feeder without placing excessive head load on the tray.
Read to Learn More: Attached vs. Unattached Volumetric Hopper Designs
Can a vibratory feeder be integrated with weighing or batch controls?
Yes. Special control options can include batch weighing, remote operation, two-speed operation and multiple-feeder systems.
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