Vibratory feeders are short conveyors used to transport bulk materials utilizing a controlled vibratory force system and gravity. The vibrations impart a combination of horizontal and vertical acceleration through tossing, hopping, or sliding-type of action to the materials being handled.
Bulk materials are dry solids that can be in powder, granular, or particle form with different sizes and densities randomly grouped to form a bulk. They do not flow as easily and as predictable as liquids and gases.
The general design of a vibratory feeder consists of a drive unit that generates the vibratory action and a deep channel or trough which contains the bulk material.
Vibratory feeders can be classified according to their drive unit, method of applying vibration to the trough, and the generated reaction to the supporting structures.
Vibratory bowl feeders, on the other hand, are special types of vibratory feeders which have troughs wound helically with special profiles and attachments. They are used in part or item feeding applications where the items are required to be in a specific orientation.