Sensor-based solution to contiguous and overlapping parts in vibratory bowl feeders

This paper discusses a vibratory bowl feeder with a computer-based sensor system that can recognize correctly oriented parts even when some are configuous or overlapping. Hardware consists of a vibratory bowl feeder, sensor system, control computer, and software development computer. The sensor system is a linear row of film optics in the side wall and track of the bowl. This configuration createsa 3-D silhouette of the part. An algorithm is developed to recognize parts in the orientation specified by the user. Test results show that the control program functions very well.