Pellet feeding system for a moulding machine

A feeding system ( 10 ) for epoxy mould compound (EMC) pellets which has a supply bowl ( 12 ) situated outside the clean environment ( 24 ) of a conventional automatic moulding machine ( 26 ). A tube ( 16 ) extends from the supply bowl ( 12 ) to a buffer hopper ( 14 ) within the clean environment and which is located above the feeder bowl ( 28 ) of the automatic moulding machine ( 26 ). EMC pellets are transported through the tube ( 16 ) from the supply bowl ( 12 ) into the buffer hopper ( 14 ) via a vacuum suction system ( 34 ), ( 36 ) which is connected to the tube ( 16 ) in proximity to the buffer hopper ( 14 ). A counter air flow may be provided to slow the speed of the pellets as they enter the buffer hopper. Batches of the pellets accumulated in the buffer hopper ( 14 ) are periodically released into the feeder bowl ( 28 ) of the automatic moulding machine ( 26 ). The vacuum transportation system reduces dust from the pellets. Also productivity is increased compared to conventional use of the automatic moulding machine ( 26 ) by providing for the supply bowl ( 12 ) to have a significantly larger capacity compared to the feeder bowl ( 28 ) of the automatic moulding machine ( 28 ).