1.0 General information about the REOVIB product range
The REOVIB range from REO ELEKTRONIK AG comprises all equipment produced for vibratory feeder
engineering. This includes controllers for vibratory feeders, measuring and monitoring equipment, with corre-
sponding transducers.
All types of feeder control units are available, using thyristors or triacs with phase-angle control or the newer
technique employing a frequency inverter. There are free-standing or panel-mounting versions, with many
variations to choose from and integrated functions for controlling product flow, depending on the unit type.
In most instances the product throughput is set by using a front-panel potentiometer or the user display but
the panel mounted units have inputs provided for an external, throughput set-point source from a 0…10V
signal voltage, 0(4)…20mA signal current or a potentiometer.
Control signals inputs, e.g. Start/Stop (Enable), or for sensors, e.g. track control, are usually brought out to
connectors in the case of enclosed units, or to terminals where panel-mounted versions are concerned.
REOVIB thyristor or triac controllers
provide step-less adjustment or regulation of the feeder throughput
setting by varying the output voltage. The vibrating frequency is always dependent on mains frequency be-
cause thyristors and triacs can only influence the available supply half-wave (phase-angle control). When
only one half of the mains sine wave is selected the feeder vibrates at the same frequency as mains fre-
quency and when both halves are used the feeder vibrates at twice that of mains frequency. Using one half
of the mains sine wave is referred to as half-wave operation or 3000 vibrations/min (for a mains frequency of
50Hz). The use of both halves of the mains sine wave is called full-wave operation or 6000 vibrations/min
(for a mains frequency of 50Hz). A 60Hz supply correspondingly gives 3600 and 7200 vibrations/min.
REOVIB control units are equally suitable for operating with either frequency and can be set, by using a link
switch, to match the feeder frequency.
REOVIB Frequency inverter
specially developed for use with vibratory feeders provides a highly stable,
drive frequency, independent of the supply frequency, tuned to that of the feeder and adjustable in 0.1Hz
steps. It is said by feeder manufacturers that the mechanical performance compares with that of mains fre-
quency. After assembly, using standard spring packs and components, the feed system can be electronically
fine-tuned to give optimum performance. The controller seeks for the resonant frequency of the feed system,
at a comfortable feed level, using a patented method, and then saves this in memory for future use.
Throughput setting of the feeder is achieved by using the variable output voltage of the controller. The am-
plitude is held constant whilst the controller is working in regulation mode thus compensating for widely
varying loads, caused by high and low product levels. The amplitude feedback signal is generated from an
accelerometer, fitted onto the feeder. A further advantage is gained through energy saving because the in-
coming mains power is reduced to 1/3 of that used by previous controllers. The feeders also run much
quieter and component orientation is more efficient because of the sinusoidal output current. In addition to
easy control of the feeder, other functions such as track and sensor control are integrated into the control
unit. Input and output ports are available for interlocking with other units or a supervisory system. The touch-
panel and display are user-friendly and allow settings to be made accurately and repeatable. User settings
can be saved and recalled.
REOVIB measurement and monitoring units
comprise simple instruments for controlling the vibration
waveform (converts signal to 0…100% display), or units used for maximum and minimum limit monitoring.
An accelerometer is fitted onto the feeder to provide a feedback signal.
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