Separation and Transportation of Works by Elliptical Vibration

Abstract

Simultaneous separation and transportation of works with various coefficients of friction by means of elliptical vibration was demonstrated. As for transportation by elliptical vibration, works move right or left, or stop, according to the phase difference between the horizontal and vertical vibration. Since transportation characteristics change with coefficient of friction, works with various coefficients of friction can be simultaneously separated and transported by controlling the phase difference. Experimental results show, first, that works of the same shapes and sizes can be separated according to the material they are composed of and, second, that plain washers and electronic parts also can be separated according to the different shape of their face and reverse sides. Moreover, the optimal driving conditions for separation were determined. That is, the speed of separation and transportation is highest when the vertical vibration amplitude was equal to the jump limit. In addition, the dispersion of transportation characteristics is reduced when the horizontal vibration amplitude was increased.