What is flexible feeding system

A flexible feeding system replaces rigid, custom-tooled mechanical bowls with a combined setup of programmable motion, machine vision, and robotics to sort, orient, and place parts.

The Core Workflow

• Bulk Loading: A hopper or storage bin dumps unorganized parts onto the feeding surface in batches.
• Dispensing and Tumble: Controlled vibrations, rotation, or multi-dimensional impulses spread the parts into a loose, flat layer across the pick surface.
• Vision Detection: An overhead industrial camera and light source capture an image of the scattered components. Vision software analyzes the shapes, coordinates, and orientations in real time.
• Robot Picking: The vision system sends precise coordinate data to a robotic arm (such as a delta or 6-axis robot). The robot uses a suction or mechanical gripper to pick correctly oriented parts.
• Recirculation: Parts that are upside-down, overlapping, or missed by the robot are re-tumbled or recirculated back across the active zone until picked.

Key Advantages

• No Hard Tooling: Changing from one product size to another requires only a software recipe change rather than replacing physical tracks.
• Gentle Handling: Smooth surfaces and controlled micro-vibrations protect fragile, cosmetic, or elastic items from jamming or scratching.