Vibrating table and feeder with vibrating table

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration table (1) comprising a table plate (2) and a drive (3), wherein the drive (3) comprises four scissor mechanisms (41, 42, 43, 44), each having a first (41.1, 42.1, 43.1, 44.1) and a second limb (41.2, 42.2, 43.2 and 44.2) and a hub (41.3, 42.3, 43.3, 44.3), wherein the hubs (41.3, 42.3, 43.3, 44.3) are fastened to the table plate (2) and the first limb (41.1, 42.1, 43.1, 44.1) can be moved independently of the second limb (41.2, 42.2, 43.2, 44.2).

Claims

1. A vibrating table comprising a tabletop and a drive, wherein the drive comprises four scissor mechanisms, each with a first and a second shank and with a nodal point, wherein the nodal points are attached to the tabletop, and the first can be moved independently of the second shank.

2. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each shank is rotatably attached to an eccentric disk and can be moved by rotation of the eccentric disk.

3. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nodal points are arranged in a front row and in a back row and the front and back rows are parallel to one another, and wherein the scissor mechanisms are oriented so as to be perpendicular to the rows, and wherein two of the nodal points that are situated in the front row are attached to a linear guide on the tabletop, and two of the nodal points that are situated in the back row are firmly attached to the tabletop.

4. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, wherein four electronically synchronized motors drive the shanks.

5. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 4, wherein the four electronically synchronized motors drive the shanks by each motor setting the eccentric disks of, in each instance, two of the shanks which are opposing each other, whereas the two shanks which are opposing each other have a connecting line that is perpendicular to the orientations of the scissor mechanisms, in rotation.

6. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tabletop comprises a conveying surface, a flap drive and a border, and wherein the border includes a discharge flap, wherein the nodal points are attached to the border, and the discharge flap can be brought into a closed position and an open position by the flap drive.

7. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conveying surface is capable of being inserted into the border.

8. The vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, including a distance sensor which is arranged between the scissor mechanisms and registers the height of the tabletop.

9. A method for operating a vibrating table as claimed in claim 8, wherein for the purpose of setting an initial position the following steps are carried out: moving at least one of the first and/or at least one of the second shank of the at least one scissor mechanism until the height of the tabletop has the lowest value that can be attained by this movement and consequently the at least one of the first and/or the at least one of the second shank of the at least one scissor mechanism are in their initial position, whereas all the other shanks retain their current drive position, repeating the first step with the other shanks until all the shanks have attained their initial position.

10. A method for operating a vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, synchronously driving all the first shanks, thereby moving parts in a second direction.

11. A method for operating a vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, synchronously driving all the shanks of the scissor mechanisms attached in a first half, thereby turning parts over on a first half of a vibrating table while the parts are jumping in the direction of a second half and while the parts on the second half of the vibrating table are largely stationary.

12. A method for operating a vibrating table as claimed in claim 1, synchronously driving all the shanks, thereby turning parts over and distributing them evenly over the surface of the tabletop.

13. A feed system comprising a vibrating table as claimed in claim 1 and a bunker and a return container, wherein the return container is at least partially below the bunker, and the vibrating table and the return container are arranged in such a manner that parts can jump from the vibrating table into the return container.

14. The feed system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bunker includes a rear light barrier and a central light barrier, wherein the rear light barrier monitors a first region in front of a feed flap in the interior of the bunker, and the central light barrier monitors the interior of the bunker in a second region which has a fixed and known spacing from the first region.

15. A method for teaching-in of a feed system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the feed system is working together with a robot which removes bulk material from the conveying table, the method comprising the steps of determining the period of time from the last detection of a part by the central light barrier up until the last detection of a part by the rear light barrier and counting the parts removed by the robot during this period, and dividing the duration of the period by the number of parts, and storing this value.

16. A method for operating a feed system as claimed in claim 13, after the charging of bulk material driving a bunker by means of a bunker drive until such time as a rear light barrier detects parts.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, comprising the following steps: opening a bunker flap and driving the bunker with the aid of the bunker drive, so that parts fall out of the bunker onto the vibrating table and operating the vibrating table with the aid of its drive, so that the parts are distributed on the conveying surface, and removal of all appropriately situated parts on the conveying surface and subsequently, renewed operating of the vibrating table, if parts that are to be removed are still located thereon and if parts that are not to be removed remain on the vibrating table, opening a discharge flap and operating the vibrating table so that the parts fall into the return container.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein operating the vibrating table with the aid of its drive, so that the parts are distributed on the conveying surface, is performed using the steps synchronously driving all the first shanks, thereby moving parts in a second direction and synchronously driving all the shanks, thereby turning parts over and distributing them evenly over the surface of the tabletop.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein subsequently, renewed operating of the vibrating table, is performed by synchronously driving all the shanks of the scissor mechanisms attached in a first half, thereby turning parts over on the first half of the vibrating table while the parts are jumping in the direction of a second half and while the parts on the second half of the vibrating table are largely stationary.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein opening the discharge flap and operating the vibrating table so that the parts fall into the return container by synchronously driving all the first shanks, thereby moving parts in a second direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings that are used for elucidating the exemplary embodiment show:

(2) FIG. 1a a vibrating table in a view from obliquely above

(3) FIG. 1b a vibrating table in a side view

(4) FIG. 1c the vibrating table shown in FIG. 1b, in the view from above, without tabletop

(5) FIG. 2 a schematic drawing of a feed system

(6) FIG. 3 a schematic drawing of a shank of a scissor mechanism

(7) FIG. 4a a sketch of the mode of operation of the scissor mechanism in the case of dual driving.

(8) FIG. 4b a sketch of the mode of operation of the scissor mechanism in the case of single driving.

(9) As a matter of principle, identical parts in the figures have been provided with identical reference symbols.

(10) Ways for Implementing the Invention

(11) FIG. 1a shows a vibrating table 1 in a view from obliquely above. Clearly visible is the tabletop 2 which exhibits a flat and rectangular conveying surface 21 which is surrounded by a border 24. The border 24 has a certain height which, however, is significantly smaller than the length or the width of the conveying surface 21 and consequently also than the length and width of the border 24. One of the short sides of the border 24 takes the form of a discharge flap 23. The latter can be swiveled into an open position in which the relevant short side of the conveying surface 21 is exposed and is not separated from the environment by a border 24 or other boundary. If, on the other hand, the discharge flap 23 is in the closed position, it delimits the conveying surface 21 just like the remaining sides of the border 24, and in this way prevents parts from jumping off the conveying surface 21. The discharge flap 23 is brought into the open or closed position by a flap drive 22. In the example shown, the flap drive 22 is accommodated in the two posts that flank the relevant narrow side of the border 24 and consequently also the discharge flap 23.

(12) The vibrating table 1 includes, in addition, a drive 3. Drive 3 is located below the tabletop 2. In the view shown, only half of drive 3 is discernible. Drive 3 comprises a total of four scissor mechanisms 41, 42, 43 and 44 and four motors 61, 62, 63, 64. In the view shown, however, only two scissor mechanisms 41, 42 and two motors 61, 62 are discernible. The scissor mechanisms comprise, respectively, a first shank 41.1, 42.1, a second shank 41.2, 42.2 and a nodal point 41.3, 42.3. The first and second shanks 41.1, 41.2, 42.1, 42.2 come together at the respective nodal point 41.3, 42.3. On the side facing away from the nodal point 41.3, 42.3, the shanks 41.1, 41.2, 42.1, 42.2 are attached to eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 41.21, 42.21. The axes of rotation 9 of the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 41.21, 42.21 are situated in a plane that, when the scissor mechanisms are all in their initial position, is parallel to the conveying surface 21.

(13) The shanks 41.1, 41.2, 42.1, 42.2 of the scissor mechanisms 41, 42 each span a triangle. Both triangles are situated in the same plane. This plane is parallel to the planes in which the long sides of the border 24 are situated. The nodal points 41.3, 42.3 are attached to the border 24.

(14) FIG. 1b shows a vibrating table 1 from the side. The tabletop 2 is only indicated, and no particulars are discernible. On the other hand, drive 3, with its scissor mechanisms 41 and 42 visible here and with the motors 61 and 62, is shown. The eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11 and 42.21 can be readily discerned in the view from the side. In the middle of the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11 and 42.21 two circles abutting one another can be discerned. A concentric, smaller, second circle has been drawn in one of them. This double circle marks, in each instance, the midpoint of the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11 and 42.21. The midpoint of each shank is situated at the same point as the midpoint of the respective eccentric disk. The blank circle, on the other hand, marks the axis of rotation 9. The midpoint is offset with respect to the axis of rotation 9 by the eccentricity e.

(15) FIG. 1b shows all the shanks 41.1, 41.2, 41.2, 42.2 and eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11, 42.21 in their initial position. The shank segment corresponds to the line-segment from the midpoint of the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11, 42.21 to the respective nodal point 41.3, 42.3, since the point of attachment of the shank in question is situated in each instance at the corresponding nodal point, and the midpoint of the eccentric disk in question is situated at the midpoint of the respective shank. In the initial position, the axis of rotation 9 is situated on the line-segment and consequently between the midpoint of the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11, 42.21 and the corresponding nodal point 41.3, 42.3.

(16) Discernible in FIG. 1b, in addition, is the attachment of the nodal points 41.3 and 42.3 to the tabletop 2. The nodal point 41.3 or 42.3 constitutes an axis about which both shanks 41.1, 41.2 or 42.1, 42.2 of the scissor mechanism 41 or 42 in question are able to rotate, at least within a certain angular range. In this example, this axis is accommodated by a sleeve with a flat upper side, which is substantially open on three sides parallel to the axis and consequently does not restrict the rotation of the shanks 41.1, 41.2 or 42.1, 42.2 in regular use. In FIG. 1b, scissor mechanism 41 is situated in the back row, and scissor mechanism 42 is situated in the front row.

(17) The scissor mechanism 41 of the front row is firmly connected to the tabletop 2 by its nodal point 41.3, for instance by the flat upper side of the sleeve having been glued or screwed onto the tabletop 2. An adapter piece or a spacer can also establish a firm connection between the tabletop 2 and nodal point 41.3.

(18) The scissor mechanism 42 of the back row is attached to the tabletop 2 by its nodal point 42.3 by means of a linear guide 5. The linear guide 5 is realized here by a T-beam which is held parallel to the tabletop at a certain spacing. The T-beam is situated in the plane that is defined by scissor mechanism 42. With the broad side of the T-shape, designated in the following as the roof, the beam points away from the tabletop 2. The sleeve, which serves for attaching nodal point 42.3, includes a guide on its flat surface. This guide can be realized by two parallel grooves, the largest spacing of which is a little larger than the width of the roof, and the smallest spacing of which is smaller than the width of the roof but larger than the width of the stem of the T-shape. The guide accommodates the roof of the T of the linear guide 5. The linear guide 5 is, in turn, firmly connected to the tabletop 2.

(19) The connections of the nodal points 41.3 and 42.3 are dimensioned in such a manner that in the initial position of all the scissor mechanisms 41, 42, 43, 44 the tabletop 2 is parallel to the plane that is defined by the axes of rotation 9 of all the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11, 42.21.

(20) FIG. 1c shows drive 3 of the vibrating table 1 from obliquely above. The tabletop 2 is not shown. All four scissor mechanisms 41, 42, 43, 44 are discernible; each has a nodal point 41.3, 42.3, 43.3, 44.3. In the view from above, all the first shanks 41.1, 42.1, 43.1 and 44.1 are located on the left side of the nodal point of the scissor mechanism 41, 42, 43 or 44 in question. In the view from above, all the second shanks 41.2, 42.2, 43.2, 44.2 are located on the right side of the nodal point of the scissor mechanism 41, 42, 43 or 44 in question.

(21) The nodal points 41.3, 42.3, 43.3, 44.3 are situated in two parallel rows 13.2 and 13.1 in the initial position. In the present case, the nodal points 41.3, 42.3, 43.3, 44.3 span a rectangle 13.3 in their initial position. The second shanks of the back row, 43.2 and 41.2, and the first shanks of the front row, 42.1 and 44.1, are situated within the rectangle 13.3 and are therefore inner shanks. The first shanks of the back row, 43.1 and 41.1, and the second shanks of the front row, 42.2 and 44.2, are situated outside the rectangle 13.3 and are therefore outer shanks.

(22) Motor 61 is arranged below scissor mechanism 41. The rotation generated by motor 61 is transmitted to drive axle 61.1 by means of a belt. Drive axle 61.1 is perpendicular to the planes of the scissor mechanisms. When the drive shaft 61.1 rotates, it sets eccentric disks 41.21 and 43.21 in rotation about their axis of rotation 9. Consequently the second shanks 43.2 and 41.2 of the two rear scissor mechanisms 41 and 43 are set in motion by the same motor 61.

(23) Analogously, a motor 63, not shown, which is arranged below scissor mechanism 43, drives a drive axle 63.1 and, above it, the two first shanks 41.1 and 43.1 of the two rear scissor mechanisms 41 and 43.

(24) The drive of the two first shanks 42.1 and 44.1 of the front scissor mechanisms 44 and 42 is realized analogously by motor 64 and drive axle 64.1. The drive of the two second shanks 42.2 and 44.2 of the front scissor mechanisms 44 and 42 is realized analogously by motor 62 and drive axle 62.1.

(25) The nodal points 41.3 and 43.3 of the back row 13.2 are firmly connected to the tabletop 2. For this purpose, the sleeves in which the nodal points 41.3 and 43.3 are situated have been provided with a bar with screw holes. By virtue of the screw holes, the bar can be attached to the tabletop 2, by screws being screwed into the tabletop 2 through the screw holes. The sleeve and hence also the nodal point 41.3, 43.3 have then been firmly attached to the tabletop 2.

(26) The nodal points 44.3 and 42.3 of the front row 13.1 are connected to the tabletop 2 via a linear guide 5. At nodal point 44.3 the sleeve can be seen with the guide in the form of two parallel grooves. At nodal point 42.3 the part of the linear guide 5 that is actually likewise attached to the tabletop with screws is discernible, said part exhibiting a T-beam, the roof of which can just be accommodated by the grooves of the sleeve.

(27) The motors 61, 62, 63, 64 and the drive axles 61.1, 62.1, 63.1, 64.1 and the axes of rotation 9 of the eccentric disks 41.11, 41.21, 42.11, 42.21, 43.11, 43.21, 44.11, 44.21 are attached to a common trestle which constitutes a base with respect to which the tabletop 2 can be moved.

(28) Between all the scissor mechanisms 41, 42, 43, 44, approximately in the middle of the rectangle 13.3, in addition a distance sensor 7 is arranged which can measure the spacing or the change in the spacing from the tabletop 2. The distance sensor 7 is likewise attached to the common trestle.

(29) FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a feed system according to the invention. The feed system comprises a vibrating table 1 according to the invention, a bunker 16 and a return container 17.

(30) The path of the parts of the bulk material through the feed system is marked by arrows. The bulk material is charged into the bunker 16 and transported from there in small portions onto the vibrating table 2. As a result of operation of the vibrating table 2, the parts are spread out. Their position is then captured with the camera 15. With the aid of the information from the camera 15, the correctly situated parts are grasped by the robot 14 and supplied to their destination. By renewed movement of the vibrating table 2, the position of the parts is changed, the situation is recaptured with the camera 15, and all suitable parts are transported away by the robot 14. If no further parts are to be grasped by the robot 14for instance, because they appear to be defective or because a different type of part is desiredthe discharge flap 23 is opened by the flap drive 22, and the vibrating table 1 is operated in such a manner that the parts migrate through the open discharge flap 23 and fall from there into the return container 17.

(31) At the start of operation, the vibrating table 2 is brought into the initial position. For this purpose, the height of the tabletop 2 is monitored with the aid of the distance sensor 7. Each jointly driven pair of eccentric disks is moved, one after the other, until such time as the height of the tabletop 2 is at the lowest point of the drive cycle.

(32) After the bulk material has been charged into the bunker 16, the bunker 16 is moved by the bunker drive 16.1 until such time as parts are detected at the rearmost light barrier 16.23. The feed flap 16.3 there prevents the parts from falling onto the vibrating table 2 at an undesirable time. The feed flap 16.3 can be opened and closed by a flap drive 16.31. The fact that bulk material has actually been refilled into the bunker 16 is registered by the front light barrier 21.1.

(33) With the aid of the front, central and rear light barriers 16.21, 16.22 and 16.23, the removal-time per part can be estimated when the bunker 16 is almost empty, and hence a time up until the need for refilling can be ascertained.

(34) For this purpose, the time is ascertained at which the last part passes through the central light barrier 16.22. From this time, the parts removed by the robot 14 are registered. The counting is stopped at the moment when the last part has passed through the rear light barrier 16.23. Let the number of counted parts be N. For the removal of N parts, the time-difference between the last detection in the central light barrier 16.22 and the last detection in the rear light barrier 16.23 is accordingly required. In addition, in this way it is known that in the case of an almost empty bunker there are N parts between the two light barriers. Since the removal-time per part is ?t/N, a user who is to be warned a remaining running-time T prior to refilling should accordingly be warned precisely when NT/At parts are still in the bunker. This is approximately the case when N-NT/At parts have already been removed since the last detection of a part by the central light barrier 16.22, and this is the case, on average, after a time ?t-T. For the purpose of improving the estimation further, the measurements can be repeated and combined and also adapted by user inputs.

(35) The control unit 18 receives the data pertaining to all the light barriers 16.21, 16.22, 16.23, to the robot arm 14, to the drives 3, 22, 16.31, 16.1, and to the camera 15. The data lines are indicated by dashed lines. The data for ascertaining the time up until the need for refilling are also stored in the control unit 18 and are utilized in order to notify the user at the desired time. The control unit 18 determines, in addition, the type and duration of the operation of the vibrating table 1 as a function of the signals from the camera 15, and the type and duration of the operation of the bunker drive 16.1 as a function of the signals from the light barriers 16.23, 16.22 and 16.21. The control unit 18 can, in addition, take inputs of the user into account.

(36) The bunker drive 16.1 comprises an eccentric disk 16.11, a shank 16.12 and a motor 16.13. The motor 16.13 drives the eccentric disk 16.11 in such a manner that in a first drive phase the bunker 16 moves upward and in the direction of the feed flap 16.3, and in the second drive phase moves back into the starting position. Since the transmission of linear momentum to the parts is greater in the first drive phase than in the second drive phase, the parts in the bunker migrate toward the feed flap 16.3 and, when this has been opened, through it.

(37) FIG. 3 shows a sketch of a shank 4x.y of a scissor mechanism. The shank 4x.y has been sketched as a triangle. One of its corners is the point of attachment 4x.y 4. Just above the base with respect to this corner, the shank 4x.y exhibits a circular hole into which an eccentric disk 4x.y 1 has been embedded. The midpoint of the eccentric disk and the midpoint 4x.y 2 of the shank are situated at the same place. The axis of rotation 9 has likewise been drawn in. The spacing between the midpoint of the eccentric disk and the axis of rotation 9 is the eccentricity 82. The spacing between the point of attachment 4x.y 4 and the midpoint 4x.ys of the shank is the length 81 of the shank 4x.y. The line-segment between these two points, drawn in here by a dash-dotted line, is the shank segment 4x.y 3.

(38) In the case shown, the axis of rotation 9 is situated on the shank segment 4x.y 3. Therefore the shank 4x.y, as shown by FIG. 3, is in the initial position.

(39) The minimum effective length, a, 83 is equal to the shank length 81 minus the eccentricity 82.

(40) The spacing between the axis of rotation 9 and the point of attachment 4x.y 4 is the effective length, and it increases to the shank length 81 plus the eccentricity 82 when the eccentric disk has rotated about 180?. The effective length of the shank 4x.ythat is to say, the length beyond the axis of rotation 9changes as a result of the rotation of the eccentric disk 4x.y 1.

(41) FIG. 4a shows a scissor mechanism with two shanks of the type from FIG. 3, the eccentric disks of which rotate synchronously. It is a question of a dual drive. At the nodal point the two shanks are connected at their points of attachment. The axes of rotation 9 are both stationary and consequently have the same spacing from one another during the entire drive cycle.

(42) The position of the two shanks in the initial position 10.0 has been drawn in solid lines. The situation can be described by a triangle, the corners of which constitute the axes of rotation 9 and the nodal point. Since both shanks are in the initial position and both shanks are equally dimensioned, the triangle is isosceles. In the initial position, the sides of the triangle have lengths a, a and G. The base of this triangle is the line-segment between the two axes of rotation, and has length G. As described in connection with FIG. 3, a is the minimum effective length. The height of the triangle corresponds to the smallest spacing that the nodal point can have from the base.

(43) If the eccentric disks are now rotated synchronously, the effective length of the shanks increases until they have the maximum effective length a+2e, where e is the eccentricity. This situation has been sketched with dashed lines. The nodal point now has its greatest height. It is accordingly a question of the position with the maximum amplitude 10.2. The triangle having corners which constitute the axes of rotation 9 and the nodal point is still isosceles, but its aperture angle has decreased in comparison with the triangle in the initial position. The side-lengths are a+2e, a+2e and G.

(44) Regardless of where the eccentric disks are presently located in the drive cycle, the effective length of the two shanks is always the same. The triangles arising are accordingly always isosceles. The nodal point therefore always lies on the axis of symmetry, which is common to all the triangles arising in this situation.

(45) In the course of dual driving, the nodal point consequently moves up and down between the extreme values shown. The maximum amplitude 11.2 of this oscillation is the spacing between the height of the nodal point in the position with the maximum amplitude 10.2 and the height of the nodal point in the initial position. The movement of the nodal point 12 is purely vertical and has been drawn in FIG. 4a with a double-headed arrow.

(46) FIG. 4b shows a similar situation. The same shanks in the same initial position as in FIG. 4a are shown in solid lines. In the initial position, also in this case the nodal point lies on the line of symmetry of the triangle and at the same height as in FIG. 4a.

(47) Shown by dashed lines in FIG. 4b is the situation in which the right shank has a maximum effective length in the case of single drive. After a 180? rotation of the eccentric disk with respect to the initial positionthat is to say, after half a drive cyclethe triangle arising between the axes of rotation and the nodal point has side-lengths a, a+2e and G and hence is no longer isosceles; its height is less than in the case of FIG. 4a.

(48) In the case of single drive, the nodal point moves up and down in the vertical direction between the height of the initial position and the mean height shown in FIG. 4b. The amplitude of this oscillation is the mean amplitude 11.1.

(49) The movement of the nodal point 12 is restricted by the non-drivenhere, leftshank. The point of attachment of the left shank can only move around the left axis of rotation on a circle with radius equal to the effective length of the left shank. The effective length of the left shank remains the same during the entire drive cycle. This circle has been drawn in FIG. 4b.

(50) The right shank changes its effective length during the drive cycle. The point of attachment of the right shank must always lie on a circle around the right axis of rotation, the radius of which corresponds to the effective length of the right shank at the corresponding point in the drive cycle. Depending upon the point in the drive cycle, this circle accordingly has a varying radius. In FIG. 4b, both the smallest and the largest of these circles are. In the case of the largest circle, the radius is equal to the maximum effective length and consequently to the shank length plus the eccentricity. In the case of the smallest circle, the radius is equal to the smallest effective length and consequently to the shank length minus the eccentricity.

(51) Since it is common to both shanks, the nodal point must always lie at the point of intersection of the circle of the left shank and the circle of the right shank. Accordingly, the nodal point follows the circle around the non-driven shank. The movement of the nodal point 12 is therefore both vertical and horizontal and has been drawn with a double-headed arrow in FIG. 4b. However, the oscillation does not follow the whole circle but follows only a segment of the circle. The segment of the circle is delimited by the points of intersection with the smallest circle and with the largest circle of the right shank.

(52) Summing up, it is to be noted that a vibrating table may also exhibit more than four scissor mechanismsfor instance, six or eight. Also, the arrangement of the nodal points may be trapezoidal instead of rectangular. It is possible to drive each eccentric disk individually and independently of all the others, instead of combining them in pairs. The shanks may also be driven in a different way; for instance, a linear motor may replace the eccentric disks and the motors. Instead of coming together at a nodal point, the shanks may also be held at a fixed distance from one another by a connecting web at their points of attachment. The linear guide may be employed at the front or at the rear. In addition, a virtual linear guide is conceivable, in which the scissor mechanisms that are not actually driven are nevertheless driven to such an extent or left free that a phase shift results in the drive phase of the shanks of a scissor mechanism, which permits precisely the horizontal motion needed.

(53) The feed system may have a different bunker drive. For instance, a conveyor belt can transport the parts in the bunker, or a comb can push them in the desired direction. In addition, the bunker drive may also include scissor mechanisms such as are known from the vibrating table. In one embodiment, the bunker is realized by a second vibrating table.