Automation of ribbing on the machine
To improve efficiency and reduce manual labor in the shaft ribbing process, we developed an automated device that handles orientation, transport, and feeding of shafts into ribbing rollers. The device is adapted to the existing machine and represents a significant technological upgrade from the previously manual process.
Initial challenge - Manual feeding of shafts into the ribbing machine was time-consuming and hazardous. Positioning accuracy depended heavily on the operator, leading to suboptimal processing speeds, increased error rates, and high physical strain on workers.
Result - Our automated solution ensures reliable, repeatable, and time-optimized feeding of shafts with precise positioning for ribbing. This increased productivity and reduced worker strain. The feeder’s capacity reaches 1.5 to 2 million pieces per year.
Solution description
The device consists of a vibratory bowl that sorts the shafts and a transport system equipped with a camera and an air-blow mechanism to remove incorrectly oriented shafts. Properly oriented shafts are then guided via a vibratory feeder into a tube and onto a buffer conveyor.
Shafts are individually dosed into a separation block, which uses a pneumatic cylinder to push them into a steel feeding channel. A pushing needle positions the shafts between the ribbing rollers. An adjustable lifting support inside the machine ensures correct shaft positioning according to ribbing requirements. After processing, shafts are collected in a buffer storage.
Vibratory bowl for shaft feeding and sorting
Customer benefits
- eliminated need for manual feeding,
- increased process repeatability and reliability,
- precise shaft positioning for ribbing,
- improved safety and process control,
- capability to rib shafts/axles of various diameters and lengths.
For more information about our custom machines and devices for various industrial processes, click below.
Integration of the ribbing device with the existing machine in the production process
Device operation steps:
1. Loading raw shafts/axles into the vibratory bowl.
2. Orientation and rejection of incorrectly positioned shafts using camera and air blow.
3. Transport of shafts onto the vibratory linear feeder.
4. Dosing shafts into the movable separation block.
5. Movement into the feeding channel and shaft positioning.
6. Pushing shafts between ribbing rollers with a pushing needle.
7. Discharge of processed shafts onto a vibratory conveyor and collection in storage.