WHY CHOOSE FLEXIBOWL®?
FlexiBowl® allows the orientation and separation of components, by the combined movements of a servomotor and an impulse generator.
The FlexiBowl® system is highly versatile and able to feed objects of any:
- Geometry
- Surface
- Material
This is possible thanks to the vast choice of rotary discs, available in multiple colours, textures, resistances and degrees of surface adhesion.
The working principle is very simple and straightforward: the bulk feeder releases and lets the parts fall onto the FlexiBowl® surface and they are effectively separated by the combination of bidirectional rotation and the impulse generator. Once the parts are singulated, the camera recognizes them and sends the coordinates to the robot for the pick-up.
The set of instructions allows changing the speed parameters, the acceleration and the impulse frequency according to the parts’ geometry, to achieve an optimal result.
Here below there are some advantages of FlexiBowl®:
- High Performance (over 80 ppm)
- 7 Kg Max Payload
- Reliable and Lean Design
- Low Maintenance
- Intuitive Programming
- Works in Extreme Environments
- Ready to Ship
- Suitable for Tangly and Sticky Parts
All the electronics and the optional backlight system are integrated. FlexiBowl® is paired with a vibrating bulk feeder and an optional, motorized hopper - both part of the system - so to achieve the necessary operating autonomy.
The communication with the robot controller and vision system is achieved by sending simple commands through the available communications ports: Ethernet (TCP/IP, UDP/IP), Ethernet/IP, digital I/O.
Traditional Operating Mode
The flex feeder routine includes 3 different activities:
• Dropping refers to the action of the bulk feeder
• Separating refers to the action of the flexible feeder
• Picking refers to the action of the robot
In the FlexiBowl, the disc is split into three functional sectors:
• Dropping;
• Separating;
• Picking.
By splitting and confining every single phase of the process in a dedicated sector, dropping, separating and picking take place at the same time.
This process usually lasts 0.5 seconds, which is a benchmark in the flexible feeding market.
FlexiTrack
FlexiTrack enables the circular conveyor tracking of the FlexiBowl. In the FlexiTrack vision system operates in a separate sector located right before the robot picking area. The robot and vision processing are simultaneous so the time waste in processing data is reduced. In this system a second camera is positioned before the bulk feeder to balance the parts dropping.
There are several advantages:
• A steady flow of parts reduces massively the time spent on parts handling;
• Vision system processing time has a very low impact on the feed rate;
• The parts stabilization time is eliminated;
• Multiple lighting solutions can be applied without limiting the robot movement;
• The same productivity as in traditional mode can be obtained with a FlexiBowl size down;
• One FlexiTrack replaces two Traditional Mode feeders saving costs and layout;
• The instant cycle time of the pick&place is quite steady and it makes FlexiTrack suitable for synchronous applications (e.g dial tables).
Multiple Parts Feeding
Multiple Parts Feeding allows simultaneous feeding of different components.
Up to 6 different types of components can be managed by the same FlexiBowl® reliably. A separate bulk feeder is needed for every single type of component.
Multiple parts feeding allows to minimize layout and production costs. The feature can be equipped to FlexiBowl 500, 650 and 800.
A different type of surface can be applied to each sector, maximising the feeding experience. The surfaces are offered in different:
• Colours
• Textures
• Degrees of adhesion
FDA and antistatic surfaces are also available in our catalogue.
The multiple parts feeding is suitable for applications such as Assembly, Kitting and Tray Loading with many different components.
We are raising up performance limits for Flexible Feeding
VIDEOS
6 x 4 mm
10 x 5 mm
30 x 70 mm
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
6 x 4 mm
10 x 1 mm
2 x 2 mm
20 x 1 mm
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
30 x 10 mm
40 x 20 mm
55 x 19 mm
50 x 10 mm
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
30 x 10 mm
40 x 20 mm
55 x 19 mm
50 x 10 mm
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
103 x 21 mm
147 x 5 mm
160 x 20 mm
100 x 3 mm
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
85 x 5 mm
250 x 25 mm
215 x 5 mm
100 x 17 mm
PHOTOS
Backlight
Available in IR, red or white
Toplight
Available in IR, red or white
Air-Blow
Moves the tiniest components away from the edge
Standard diverter
Redirects the components from the edge
Brush diverter
Redirects the components from the edge
Wedge diverter
Components deviation system consisting of a wedge located between the steel surface and the rotary disc
Quick emptying
For fast product changeovers (FlexiBowl® 500, 650 & 800)
Custom grooved disc
Design upon request
Multiple parts feeding
Simultaneous feeding of different components
Round edged disc
The Rotary Disc is available in various colours, textures, degrees of surface adhesion for FlexiBowl® 200, 350 & 500E
Rotary disc
The Rotary Disc is available in various colours, textures, degrees of surface adhesion for FlexiBowl® 500, 650 & 800
