The Coperion K-Tron KCM-III feeder controller measures acceleration, displacement, load, current and temperature up to 25,000 times per second. The fast-acting controller then adjusts the vibratory drive signal to maintain clean sinusoidal displacement for optimal mass flow. This combination reportedly makes the vibratory feeder more accurate than a screw feeder in many applications. The flexible pendulum absorber design keeps the movement of the drive parallel to the desired direction of motion, eliminating rotational forces. As a result, material flow is consistent along the entire length of the tray with minimal pulsations, significantly improving feeding accuracy.
The mechanical package is modular in design and accommodates custom tray configurations and lengths. It features an extended feed rate range of 1:500. A special quick-release clamp mechanism on the feeder tray allows for quick product changeover.
According to Coperion, the power consumption of the vibratory feeder is 20 times lower than that of a screw feeder. In comparison to a screw feeder, a vibratory feeder has no rotating parts, requiring less maintenance and fewer spare parts while also making it much easier to clean. Over the life of the feeder this may result in cost savings, especially when coupled with lower power consumption.
