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How to Choose screw feeder?

17, Mar. 2025

Choosing the Best Fit Screw Feeding System - Desoutter tools

When it comes to optimizing productivity and efficiency in assembly processes, selecting the right screw-feeding system is crucial.

With numerous manufacturers and a variety of options available, making an informed decision can be challenging.

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This article will provide an educational and informative guide to help clients understand the key factors and steps involved in choosing the best fit screw-feeding system. By considering factors such as speed, flexibility, reliability, ease of use, layout of line and support, clients can make a well-informed decision that aligns with their specific requirements.

1. Assessing application requirements: 'Define your station.'

Before diving into the selection process, it is vital to evaluate the specific needs of your application. Consider the following questions when assessing your station:

What are the type and size of fasteners you need?
What is your production volume?
How does your process and layout look like?
What type of station is required: manual, automatic, or a combination?
How many units do you need to produce, and what is the expected production speed?
What is the takt time of the system?
What type of handling system do you prefer: XYZ system, XY system, robot, or co-bot or other?
Do you require flexibility for changing screwdrivers, or the type of screw used?
Who should be responsible for logic control, and what is the interface?
Who should be responsible for pneumatic control, and what is the interface?
Do you have any specific requirements, such as ESD compliance, clean room suitability, insulation, quick change capabilities, or data-driven functionalities?

"Consider the tightening direction as a crucial factor. Vertical down tightening is the easiest, but there are instances when you must tighten screws from the bottom-up, horizontally, or at an angle. Specific designs exist for these cases but be aware that they come with higher risks involved."
Yang Wang - Desoutter Product Marketing Manager

Different screw-feeding systems excel in various applications, and understanding your requirements will ensure a compatible match.

2. Researching Reliable Manufacturers

Begin by researching reputable screw-feeding system manufacturers. Look for companies with a proven track record, positive customer reviews, and extensive experience in the industry.

An additional benefit is a supplier offering both screw-feeding solutions and tightening tools. This provides you, as a user, with the advantage of receiving a turn-key solution that seamlessly integrates both components for a streamlined assembly process. Furthermore, having a single supplier for both systems simplifies preventive maintenance, as you can rely on one point of contact for any servicing or support needs. Manufacturers that offer a range of screw-feeding solutions demonstrate expertise and flexibility to cater to diverse customer needs.

3. Evaluating System Performance

Consider the performance capabilities of the screw-feeding system. Factors to assess include feeding speed, accuracy, and the ability to handle various screw sizes and types.

Look for features to prevent jamming or cross-threading such as:

Automatic screw size check
Quick reset from potential screw jam
Redundant designs to ensure the correct operation
Designs to prevent potential errors

It is crucial to choose a system that aligns with your desired production output while maintaining consistent quality.

4. Evaluating your screw

To ensure optimal performance, evaluate your screw based on key factors. Longer screws are ideal for auto-feeding, while shorter ones carry a higher risk of flipping and errors. If auto-feeding isn't feasible, consider a pick-and-place approach using vacuum tube methods, with vacuum tubes providing better screw detection. Customization options exist for high-speed auto-feeding of short screws but at a higher cost. Screw features like head shape, shaft type, and recess affect system design, where manufacturers provide specific adaptations. Discussing screw selection with manufacturers optimizes station performance and reduces errors. By evaluating these factors, choose the right screw-feeding system effectively.

"Here's a crucial tip: pay attention to interferences around tightening points. Basic screw feeders, known for their speed and simplicity, use a jaw to hold the screw. Ensure enough space for smooth jaw movement. If space is limited, consider vacuum feeders to bypass interferences. Keep in mind, vacuum feeders sacrifice some speed and simplicity. Also, consider the height of interferences when determining vacuum tube length, as longer tubes may present manufacturing challenges. Assess these factors for the best fit. Reach out if you need further guidance'We're here to help!"
Yang Wang - Desoutter Product Marketing Manager

7. Assessing Reliability, Maintenance, and Seeking Technical Support

When selecting a screw-feeding system, it's crucial to consider both reliability and technical support. Look for a system built with durable materials and a proven track record of long-term performance, ensuring consistent and uninterrupted assembly line operations. Check the availability of spare parts throughout the whole life cycle. Evaluate maintenance requirements, prioritizing systems that offer ease of cleaning and routine servicing to minimize production downtime and associated costs.

Equally important is seeking a manufacturer with a global presence, providing comprehensive technical support and after-sales service. This global presence is crucial for several reasons, including the export of machines and the standardization of assembly lines across different countries. Choose a company that offers responsive customer support, troubleshooting assistance, and readily available spare parts. Timely and reliable assistance from the manufacturer's support team reduces downtime and helps maintain the efficiency of your assembly processes. By considering reliability, maintenance, and technical support, you can make an informed decision when selecting a screw-feeding system for your operations.

Choosing the best fit screw-feeding system requires careful consideration of several factors. By assessing application requirements, researching reputable manufacturers, evaluating system performance, analyzing flexibility and customization, considering ease of use, assessing reliability and maintenance, and seeking technical support, clients can make an informed decision. Investing time in the selection process will lead to improved productivity, optimized assembly processes, and ultimately, a more efficient and successful operation.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting a Screw Feeder System

Selecting a screw feeder system for your robotic screwdriving application can be a daunting task. There are various factors to consider, such the specifications of your screws and the required speed of delivery.

It is important to choose the correct screw feeder system as your choice can significantly affect the productivity of your entire application.

There are a few questions you can ask yourself to make your life easier up front.

By answering these key questions, you can narrow down your search and find the perfect screw feeder system for your specific needs.

Here are 10 good questions to ask yourself:

1. What are the benefits of using a screw feeder system in a robotic application?

Before you even think about which screw feeder to use, you might wonder why you would need one at all.

There are several benefits of using a screw feeder with robotic screwdriving. The most obvious benefit is that it improves the productivity and efficiency of your entire application by delivering screws at a constant rate.

Screw feeders are simple and cost-effective, and you can apply them to a wide range of tasks.

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2. What components do I need in a robotic screw feeder?

A screw feeder works by delivering screws to your robot at a constant rate. You simply pour the screws into the hopper and the screw feeder does the rest of the work.

Usually, screw feeders come as stand-alone units that include everything you will need. Components include a screw hopper to hold the screws, a system to align and queue screws ready for presentation, and a space for the robot to grab the screw.

For robotic screwdriving, the most important property is that the screw feeder is easily to integrate with your robotic system. Using a screwdriving application kit is a great way to ensure compatibility.

3. What size of screws will I use?

The size of screws you need for your application will dictate what type of screw feeder you can use. Larger screws will naturally require a larger screw feeder.

Look at both the width and length of the screws you will be using. It's better to be cautious up front than end up with a screw feeder that doesn't support your screws!

For instance, the Robotiq Screw Feeder supports screws between M2.5 and M5.

4. What type(s) of screws will I use?

As well as the size, you will also need to consider what types of screws you will need. There are many types of screws including ones made from different materials, with various head patterns, and designed for specific purposes.

For example, if your screws aren't ferromagnetic, they won't be compatible with screw feeders or robotic systems that rely on magnets to handle the screws.

5. What object am I screwing into and is it relevant?

It may be important to consider the properties of your workpiece. For instance, certain materials may require specialized screws or fasteners that don't match the more common screw types.

In such cases, it may be necessary to use a more specialized screw feeder system or adapt your chosen system to accommodate your requirements.

In other situations, the properties of the workpiece won't be relevant. But you won't know either way until you check.

6. How fast does the robot need to deliver the screws?

The speed you need to deliver screws will also play a role in determining which screw feeder you need. Your robot can only deliver screws at the correct rate if the screw feeder delivers them to the robot at that rate.

This property will depend on the overall productivity requirement of your screwdriving application. For example, if you are looking for a super high-speed application, a collaborative robotic solution might provide insufficient speed.

7. How will the screw feeder integrate with my robotic system?

When selecting any component for a robotic application, it's important to consider how easy it is to integrate with the robotic system.

Most screw feeders will be usable for a robotic application. The question is how much integration and programming work you want to do. Some screw feeders ' like the one in our Screwdriving Solution ' work out-of-the-box. Others will require more advanced robotic integration skills.

8. Does my process require any non-standard fasteners?

If your application requires any non-standard fasteners, you will need to consider this early in your robotic deployment. You might need to use a specialized screw feeder that can handle these types of fasteners, or find other ways to incorporate those fasteners into your application.

Robots are very flexible so they can handle a wide range of non-standard screws and fasteners. But you may have to adapt your robotic setup to support them.

9. Are there additional costs associated with the system?

When selecting any robotic solution, it's important to ask if there will be any additional costs associated with the system.

The most obvious cost is the purchasing price. Additional costs associated with some systems might include maintenance and operating costs, licensing for software, integration costs, and other third-party costs that are not immediately obvious. Try to get as clear a costing as possible before you commit to a particular system.

10. Does the supplier have excellent customer service?

Customer service and support can make or break a robotic solution deployment. When you find a company that offers excellent customer support, they will make your life a lot easier.

At Robotiq, we offer a dedicated customer support service for anyone using our solutions and components, even if you purchase them from one of our distributors or partner integrators. This gives you double support for any issues you might encounter.

Selecting the right screw feeder system can be a daunting task. But, by asking yourself the questions we've listed above, you can make a more informed decision about which system will best suit your needs.

By narrowing down your search and getting clarity up front, it's much easier to find the perfect screw feeder system for your specific screwdriving application.

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