Ergonomic hopper elevators deliver large volumes of parts

Achieving the objectives of large volumes of product buffer, while ensuring good ergonomics for operators, were the main criteria considered by Riley Automation when designing its range of Hopper Elevator systems. A low-level bulk hopper provides easy and comfortable access for operators when priming the system with components. The capacity of the hopper is designed to provide the optimum production buffer, based upon the size and weight of the individual parts being presented to the line.

With the low-level hopper primed, an inverter-driven flighted elevator belt systematically collects and transports the parts to the required destination. The inverter drive on the elevator enables the speed and therefore the discharge rate of the system to be set as required for the product or components being handled. Riley hopper elevators can be used to present component parts to traditional hopper units that may be mounted directly above vibratory bowl feeders or, alternatively, the hopper elevator can be used to feed parts directly into the bowl feeder.

Reliable and predictable feeding

Riley Automation hopper elevator units are operating successfully across a wide range of applications within many different industries including plastics, packaging, food, medical devices and automotive.

One example of the successful application of the Riley hopper elevator concept is demonstrated by the feeding of a wide range of domestic plumbing fittings to an automated assembly system. In this case the hopper elevator is used to present the main plastic moulded body of the fitting to the assembly machine. With an output of around 1500 parts per hour, the assembly system requires predictable and reliable parts feeding together with a minimum of a one hour production buffer. Add to this the need to handle two different component sizes, 32mm and 40mm, as well as deal with a wide range of component shapes, and the magnitude of the task becomes clear. The Riley hopper elevator not only provides the ergonomic access required to prime the system but also frees the operator for other duties in addition by providing the production buffer required.

All Riley Automation material handling systems are tailor-made for each application and combine engineering excellence with innovative ideas and technology. All hopper elevator systems are precision manufactured from laser-cut components, ensuring a highly accurate and cost-effective production method. Options are available for the low-level hopper capacity, elevator conveyor type, conveyor speed and loading height, thus providing the optimum system for the product under consideration.

Riley Automation offers a complete range of systems for material handling and parts feeding applications including:

• Linear feeders
• Vibratory bowl feeders
• Centrifugal feeders
• Hopper vibrators and vibratory tables
• 'Storeveyor' systems