Spiral Conveyors
Wendelförderer sind im industriellen Bereich ein wichtiger Bestandteil von Fördersystemen. Sie können ähnlich wie Linearförderer oder Steilwandförderer in eine komplexe Förderanlage integriert oder als unabhängige Komponente für die vertikale Förderung von verschiedenen Arten von Gütern zuständig sein. Neben der Förderung von Schüttgut werden Wendelförderer vor allem für das Sortieren von kleinem Stückgut wie Schrauben oder Drehteilen verwendet. In der Regel handelt es sich bei Wendelförderern um Sonderanfertigungen, die speziell für den jeweiligen Einsatzzweck entworfen werden. Als Teil einer Sortieranlage können Wendelförderer deshalb immer nur für exakt definierte Güter eingesetzt werden. Mithilfe von Umbaumaßnahmen lassen sich Wendelförderer jedoch so umrüsten, dass sie auch ähnliche Bauteile sortieren können.
Spiral conveyors are an important component of conveyor systems in the industrial sector. Similar to linear conveyors or steep belt conveyors, they can be integrated into a complex conveyor system or be responsible as an independent component for the vertical conveying of different types of goods. In addition to conveying bulk goods, spiral conveyors are mainly used for sorting small piece goods such as screws or turned parts. As a rule, spiral conveyors are custom-made products that are specially designed for the respective application. As part of a sorting system, spiral conveyors can therefore only ever be used for precisely defined goods. However, with the help of conversion measures, spiral conveyors can be converted so that they can also sort similar components.
How does a spiral conveyor work?
Spiral conveyors are also known as vibratory bowl feeders, bowl feeders, pot feeders or vibratory bowl feeders. These names can be traced back to the specific design of the spiral conveyor and its mode of operation: The sorting top of a spiral conveyor is shaped like a pot, which consists of a tightly connected cylindrical spiral, the so-called helix. With regard to the helical conveyor track or the bowl of the spiral conveyor, a distinction is also made between cylindrical shape, step shape and conical shape.
The mode of operation is relatively simple: The conveyor track of the bowl feeder is vibrated by an electromagnetic oscillating drive. This vibration initiates a throwing motion of the object lying on the conveyor track, which moves the object in the desired direction. This is also referred to as microthrowing. Depending on whether specific sorting elements are installed, the objects are also aligned on the conveyor track. This is important when the spiral conveyor is used as a sorting conveyor. The sorting elements - also called baffles - are usually installed manually. Depending on the design of the spiral conveyor, it is possible to make modifications that allow the baffles to be adapted to changing transport items.
Depending on the production chain in which the spiral conveyor is integrated, some other parameters can be individually regulated besides the chicanes. For example, it is possible to change the conveying speed by changing the vibration strength or vibration frequency. Furthermore, various additional elements can be connected, for example for temperature regulation. For example, in addition to spiral coolers, which cool down the piece goods in the spiral conveyor, there are also heating spiral conveyors, which ensure that the temperature of the items to be conveyed rises.
What are the advantages of spiral conveyors and where are they used?
Smaller spiral conveyors in particular are purchased in industrial areas because of their sorting function. This increases the cycle time for further work processes, as the required small components are conveyed directly to the correct position. They are used, among others, in the automotive industry, medical technology and also in the plastics and electronics industries. However, it is important to prevent signs of wear on the spiral conveyor from the outset. This can be achieved, for example, with the aid of special coatings on the spiral conveyor.