Vibratory feeders are used in several industries for sorting and feeding of parts. The manufacturing and assembly processes of organizations are greatly dependent on these machines. Hence, it is important to ensure that the machines work without any hiccups. A problem that could occur with vibratory feeders is that at some particular spots, the parts will refuse to move. This happens even when parts in other parts of the feeder move normally. Such a spot is known as the ‘dead spot’. This blog post aims to help you rectify this problem.Two Main Problems & Their Solutions Associated with ‘Dead Spots’ below are mentioned two problems that occur when a vibratory feeder has a dead spot. Also mentioned are the ways to identify these problems and their solutions. Firstly, mark the ‘dead spot’. Then, observe its position in relation to the feeder’s base unit and rotate the bowl. Depending on the movement of the spot, you can identify the problem:

1. If the spot does not move This problem usually occurs if there is a problem with the clamping screws. Loosen the screw, and then tighten it while examining the movement of the parts in the feeder. This will help you find the right amount of tension needed in the spring. Loose feet can cause ‘dead spots’.
2. If the spot moves along with the movement of the bowl This problem could occur due to some manufacturing defect like a broken weld. The part can be re-welded. However, best practices dictate changing the part entirely if this problem occurs. This can be seen in the weld seam of the coil assembly.

In case the above solutions fail to provide the required results, you should consult a technician or your vibratory feeder manufacturer. They will be able to detect the problem accurately and provide you with the proper solution. Adding counter weights, replacing components, and adjusting the torque on the springs are common ways of correcting this problem.