Step Feeders & Automatic Stepfeeders
Carlson Step Feeders are unmatched in quality, durability, and output capability.
How does an automated step feeder system work?
Stepfeeders work by lifting fasteners up from a tray, which holds hundreds of fastener, into an escapement track with a screw elevator.
The step feeder’s motorized screw elevator lift assembly automates the process of loading screws into the track, which makes our unique stepfeeders an incredibly effective means of feeding screws to an automatic screwdriver drive head.
This process of feeding results in a streamlined manufacturing workflow that is unparalleled by traditional screw feeding methods – and, because stepfeeders do not rely on vibratory motion (like traditional vibratory bowl feeders), step feeding is a better solution for feeding screws that are coated with substrates such as Loctite.
This is because the step feeding process is low-abrasion, and the screws don’t become overly scratched. This also preserves the lifespan of the step feeder itself, as the tray and escapement track will be in better condition for a longer period of time than a vibratory bowl feeder.
All of our stepfeeders are available with an optional fastener hopper, which comes in three different corresponding sizes and varying capacities to accommodate for the different-sized screws which will be fed. Additionally, and stepfeeder (whether with or without a hopper) can be fitted with a plexiglass enclosure with aluminum framing, which serves to keep contaminants such as dust particles out.
Carlson screw feeders are engineered to work for hours without errors or fastener jams.
What makes our screw feeder devices so unique is the level of attention to detail that goes into the prevention of fastener jams. Jams along the track and in the screw escapement are one of the leading causes of frustration for automation engineers and assembly line builders when implementing screw feeders or presenters, so we have managed to build a fool-proof series of mechanisms, which we call the 3-step fastener alignment verification process, directly into the track. It is virtually impossible for a screw to become jammed along the track of a Carlson feeder, as there are too many precautions in place to allow for this to occur.
Using a step feeder in place of a vibratory bowl feeder has certain advantages that bowl feeders don't.
The screw elevator lift assembly, which is used in place of the conventional vibratory bowl, helps to reduce noise, and also provides less agitative handling of coated screws.
The elevator lift assembly lifts screws out of the tray and into the escapement track, resulting in the elimination of uneven coating distribution among fasteners coated with substrates such as loctite.
- Ideal method for silently feeding/presenting coated fasteners
- Hardened & heat-treated durable tool steel composition
- Longer run time between feeds due to less track level fastener jams
Our stepfeeders and step feeder presenters are configured to minimize track-level errors.
What makes our step feeder devices so unique is the level of attention to detail that goes into the prevention of fastener jams. Jams along the track and in the screw escapement are one of the leading causes of frustration for automation engineers and assembly line builders when implementing screw feeders or presenters, so we have managed to build a fool-proof series of mechanisms, which we call the 3-step fastener alignment verification process, directly into the track.
Step 1: Sorting Air Jet
The first step in our 3-step fastener verification is our Non-Adjustable Sorting Air jet – a highly pressurized stream of air that ejects misaligned fasteners from the track - our first line of defense.
Step 2: Qualifying Track Cover:
The second step is a Non-Adjustable Bowl Track Qualifying Cover, which prevents misaligned fasteners from passing underneath its clearance and moving down the escapement track in the first place.
Step 3: Optic Sensor
When the optic sensor notices that the escapement is full of screws, the step feeder's screw elevator will stop lifting fasteners to the track. This prevents back pressure and jams in the feeder tray.
Carlson stepfeeder advantages:
Carlson step screw feeder systems carry with them the following advantages over other manufacturers’ models:
- Screw Elevator: A screw elevator in place of a bowl is quieter, and agitates the screws less than a vibratory bowl feeder device.
- Error-Proofing: 3-Step fastener alignment verification ensures that jams along the track and escapement are not possible with our systems.
- Heat Treated: Hardened, heat treated build is highly resistant to wear & tear damage.
- Minimal Adjustments: No mechanical adjustments to the entire device means greater accuracy and safety.
- Non-Magnetic Track: Non-magnetic nickel-teflon coating aids in preventing troublesome screw jams.
- Adaptability: Ability to feed or present extremely large and extremely small screws, depending on the device being used to feed the screws.
