Useful countermeasure production technology against screw parts misfeeding, which comprises a high percentage of the troubles, will be explained.

There is a large variety of features of screws depending on fastened product characteristics such as a) screw head shapes, b) thread shapes, c) screw hole shapes, d) presence of washer or not, e) material, surface treatment differences, and many others. Therefore, the screw parts feeding systems are required to adopt a wide variety of screw types.

(1)Screw parts feed system configurations

Screw parts feed system configuration is as follows.

Screw parts feed unit - - - Device that automatically stores - Aligns - Separates the screws. See [Photo 1]

Screw distribution unit ---

A device that supplies the screws from the alignment unit to the chuck of the automated fastening device. It utilizes air pressure and etc. to transfer the screws through the distribution tube.

(2)Countermeasure examples for screw parts supply device

1)Countermeasure examples on screw parts feed units

	(1)	In many cases, screw parts feeding misses (Causes: mixed contents, out of parts, hang ups due to burrs) can be effectively handled with error detections by photoelectric sensors and abnormality determination with a timer on the screw alignment feeder.
	(2)	Feeder internals and chutes where the components travel must be kept clean in order to maintain smooth sliding of the components.

2)Countermeasure examples of screw distribution unit troubles

	(1)	Because the screw transfer is based on sliding by air, the distribution tubes should be stabilized with gradual curvatures, and detailed maintenance on air leakages due to tube wear is important.
	(2)	Proper distribution methods according to the screw shapes (head shapes, weight, length, etc.) need to be selected.