Mr. Weidinger, how do you define the topic of "feeding technology" in very simple terms?
Feeding technology means separating bulk material in the required cycle time and component position so that it can be further processed automatically.Well, what problems can occur with such a feeding system?
Well, simply put, some parts are not suitable for conventional separation, are they too large, too small, too light or too heavy. The decisive factor is the interaction between the geometry and the centre of gravity of the part.
This does not mean that there is an ideal part or that a part could have an ideal weight or centre of gravity, for example. We always have to consider all parts in their entirety.
Another negative factor is that if parts form into tubers, the whole process cannot be implemented. This means that each part has to be evaluated separately and individually in order to agree on an actual reduction.
Wow, that sounds very complex and cumbersome. How long does this assessment process take?
Actually, not long at all. Our in-house tests allow us to assess very quickly how the parts behave in the spiral pot. The close cooperation between our assemblers for the feeding technology and our designers is crucial here. The two areas closely coordinate their assessments.The first requirements come from our designers: How should the parts be processed, which layer is needed, etc.? All this is recorded in a form, which is then supplemented with the further requirements "How many parts are needed per minute?", "How high is the autonomy?".
You can imagine it as follows: The parts are in a large pot. There, they are conveyed upwards in the spiral by vibration and then enter the linear rail one after the other and in the correct position. In the automation process we control with the help of sensors that always sufficient parts are refilled from a hopper.
A complete assessment of whether and how the parts can be processed at all usually takes no more than 1-2 hours.
So what exactly does AKE have to look out for?
After the analysis just described, we can determine whether automation is possible. If automation is not feasible, it is a matter of detailed consultation with our customers. We then make suggestions on how the part could be changed so that we can make the process feasible after all. But that depends very much on the possibilities of the changes.If changes are achievable and we agree, we select the components such as drives and sorting pots, determine the size of the components and plan the procurement and installation.
What is the advantage for customers to choose AKE?
100 % know-how, 100 % coordination, 100 % AKE.We build in-house, our teams are excellently and quickly networked and the internal arrangements work smoothly.
The know-how lies solely with AKE, so the customer does not buy a black box.
Questions, requests or changes such as product adaptations, both in-house and later on-site at the customer's, are made directly; there are no sub-suppliers involved who unnecessarily prolong the arrangements.
AKE is the only supplier from A to Z, without any interfaces. We guarantee fast delivery times and high-quality products. Everything comes from one source. The 100% solution AKE.
No black box, that sounds very reasonable. Mr. Weidinger, what tips can you give your customers in conclusion?
That is difficult. I think coordination in advance is the be-all and end-all. So if possible, we discuss beforehand how the part should be mapped. Often it's just the little things that make the difference!That's what makes cost-effective automated feeding possible in the first place. If problems are identified at an early stage, fine details can often be realised at no cost.
Technical availability increases many times over if the product design is jointly optimised for automation in advance.