Ever shorter production cycles and the associated challenges make it essential for companies to use high-quality technical feeding solutions in order to remain competitive in the long term. In the manufacture of numerous products, disordered parts have to be fed. Starting from a heap, disordered conveyed goods can be separated and organized using flexible feeders. This makes it possible to recognize the individual parts via a vision system, pick them up using a handling system or robot and process them further. In contrast to conventional feeding technology, the shape and properties of the parts to be fed only play a subordinate role here.

Afag has high-quality, flexible feeding components in its range to meet these challenges: the aflex qc and the flip conveyor. Both products have been specially developed to feed small and very small parts in various applications. As a flexible feeding solution in combination with a vision and handling system or robot, it is possible to feed almost all part geometries precisely and reliably. Complex mechanical changes to the feeder are not necessary when changing types.

The aflex qc is the feeding component for almost all small and very small parts. Eight actuators cause its feed plate to vibrate gently and close to resonance. The user can control the intensity and frequency of these vibrations. With 3D vibration conveying, the aflex qc separates the individual parts in a targeted manner and makes them available for subsequent processes.

With the aflex qc, the product plate can be changed very quickly and without additional tools. © Afag Automation

The aflex qc is the successor to the tried-and-tested aflex. The "qc" in the name stands for "quick change" and refers to a fundamental change compared to the predecessor model: the tool-free quick-change conveyor plate. It is made from a single piece and has no gaps on the surface. The material used is certified by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The aflex qc can therefore also be used for many applications with high hygiene standards, for example in medical technology. Afag offers the conveyor plate in two versions - POM white for transmitted light applications and POM black for applications with incident light or other types of illumination.

Another special feature of the aflex qc is the cluster-wise controllable LEDs of the integrated backlighting. It can be calibrated in the event of extraneous or interfering light so that the vision system detects an optimally homogeneous illuminated area and recognizes the parts on the entire conveyor plate. The illuminated pick-up area measures 148 by 98 millimetres on the aflex 150 qc and 220 by 165 millimetres on the larger aflex 200 qc version. In addition to the connection option on the underside, the aflex qc has a SUB-D interface on the side as standard, allowing the user to freely select the connection type.

The design of the component makes it possible to arrange several bunkers around the device. This means, for example, that different conveyed goods can be provided for processing with a flexible feed.

Technical improvements to the basic device and user interface simplify installation and commissioning. The modular standard controller consists of a control unit and two driver modules and supports digital I/O and Telnet. It can optionally be extended to Profibus or now also to Profinet and Ethercat. The wear-free drive ensures that the aflex qc can be used reliably for a long time.

The new flip conveyor developed by Afag is also suitable for larger and heavier components due to its size and technical properties. The parts can be moved horizontally in two directions on the conveyor belt and flipped vertically by the integrated eccentrics in the flip area. Thanks to the open design of the stainless steel hopper frame on one side, the flip conveyor offers the option of automatic rapid emptying. With its large image area and operating voltage of 24 volts, the flip conveyor can provide parts for a wide variety of feeding solutions; the flip conveyor has a compact design, the drives are on the inside and the control system is integrated. Parts to be separated are positioned above the flip drives by means of a conveyor belt and flipped there until the correct position is reached for the parts to be transferred.

If the aflex qc or the flip conveyor are installed, the conveyed goods are transported as bulk material to the discharge area through freely positionable refill bunkers. Depending on requirements, the parts are then manipulated and made available for detection by a vision system and further processing by a handling unit or robot for the next process step. pb

As a leading supplier, Afag has been developing and producing components and systems for assembly automation in the areas of feeding, handling and transportation for all industries for more than 60 years - from automotive, consumer goods, food, machinery, medicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to the watch industry. The aim is to meet the demands of the global automation industry with state-of-the-art technologies and innovative solutions. Thousands of handling modules, feeding and transport systems from Afag stand for quality and reliability. A good 200 employees work in the subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany, China and the USA.