After some months of production it was noted that certain components were ‘bouncing’ or ‘rolling’ too far into the furnace after impacting on a static chute which received components from a washing/degreasing system.

Having worked with K F Alliance Engineering in 2011 on another component transfer project, works director Adrian Ordidge consulted with KFA to determine if another method of transfer could be installed which would enable a more controlled discharge of components onto the furnace belt.

After conducting a site survey collating all dimensional details, component and throughput information, KFA determined an optimum solution utilising an electromagnetic vibratory feeder that would reduce component ‘bounce’ and ‘rolling’ and enable a more controlled feed onto the furnace belt.

A further issue was that the available space between the washer and furnace was very restricted and a height of only 200mm was available to incorporate a vibratory feeder which also needed to be 1200mm wide.

KFA designed a solution by adapting a semi-standard design it had for a wide vibratory feeder which was originally used to spread cornflakes onto a drying oven. This design was modified to reduce the overall height of the machine and to allow the anti-vibration mounting to be on the outside of the base and not below as would be common on this type of unit. The washer and furnace outlines were drawn and the re-designed vibratory feeder drawing was inserted and checked for suitability. This solution was presented to Heat Treat 2000, and subject to minor changes such as the addition of polypropylene lining plates, the drawing was approved.

KFA built, tested and installed the machine 10 weeks from date of approval and the plant operator now has greater control of component transfer into the furnace.