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Technical Requirements
● Orientation: Each component is discharged single file, axis vertical, all one way, to suit the customer’s handling unit.
● Feed rate: 30 components per minute per system, with sufficient overfeed to ensure a consistent feed rate.
● Hygienic design: Pharmaceutical construction, with polished stainless steel bowls, welded top and bottom, and welds ground smooth and continuous.
● Controlled presentation: A pneumatic escapement separates and presents one component at a time for collection.
● Electrical and pneumatic supply: 110V 50/60Hz 1ph/N, CSA/UL approved. Pneumatics at 5 bar where required.
Key features:
● Precision vibratory bowl feeding and orientation
● FDA-approved polyurethane bowl coatings and stainless steel contact surfaces
● Sensor-controlled component feeding
● Pneumatic escapements for individual component presentation
● Pharmaceutical-grade hygienic design
Overview
RNA was commissioned to design and manufacture three vibratory bowl feeding systems for the Needle Retractor, Internal Housing and Lock components of a retractable safety syringe assembly line. Each system feeds, orients and presents its component at 30 parts per minute.
The Challenge
Automated safety syringe assembly requires precise orientation and controlled presentation of multiple components with different geometries.
The needle retractor, upper housing and lock each required a specific orientation before transfer to the assembly process. Inconsistent positioning or uncontrolled feeding could disrupt component handling and subsequent assembly operations.
The feeding systems therefore needed to deliver a continuous, correctly orientated supply of components while separating and presenting individual parts for automated collection.
Solution
Each system consists of a bulk feeder, a vibratory bowl feeder, a linear out-feed and a pneumatic escapement to provide consistent component presentation for downstream assembly.
1. Needle Retractor Feeding System
The needle retractor feeding system is designed to discharge components in single file, with their axes vertical, hanging all one way from base, barbs below and inline of flow, before transferring them onto an approximately 800 mm linear out-feed.
A vibratory bowl feeder with an FDA-approved polyurethane coating provides controlled component movement, while the linear track and pneumatic escapement deliver individual needle retractors for downstream handling.
2. Upper Housing Feeding System
Upper Housings are discharged single file, axis vertical, crown feature below, with the flat face uppermost and against a rail all one way.
The vibratory bowl feeder transfers correctly orientated components onto an approximately 800 mm linear out-feed. A sensor-controlled feeding arrangement maintains component availability, while the pneumatic escapement separates and presents one upper housing at a time.
3. Lock Feeding System
The lock feeding system is designed to orientate components in single file, with their axes vertical, hanging from the head and angled features below, before transferring them onto an approximately 600 mm linear out-feed.
The system combines a vibratory bowl feeder, linear track and pneumatic escapement to provide controlled feeding and individual component presentation for automated assembly.
Watch
RNA vibratory bowl feeding system for upper housings
Note: Customer components are not shown to maintain project confidentiality. The video highlights the system’s build quality, track geometry, and drive performance.
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