The component
Define exactly what must be fed.
Provide drawings or measured dimensions, weight, material, finish, tolerances and part photographs. Name every intended variant and identify differences between production sources or mould cavities.
- Length, width, height, diameter and weight
- Orientation features and centre of gravity
- Surface finish, lubrication and cosmetic sensitivity
- Nesting, tangling, static or bridging behaviour
- Current variants and separately identified future parts
The output pose
Show the final orientation at the real handover point.
“Upright” can be ambiguous. Mark a photograph or drawing, identify the critical feature and explain how the next machine receives or picks the part. State position and angular tolerance where they matter.
A simple annotated photograph showing top, bottom, leading feature and direction of travel prevents costly interpretation errors.
The demand
Specify sustained accepted parts—not theoretical movement.
State the downstream cycle rate and number of components consumed per cycle. Include genuine peak demand, pause pattern, buffer recovery and expected production duration.
Excessive unspecified margin can increase noise, wear and cost. The feeder should be sized around a realistic operating profile and a clear acceptance method.
The complete scope
Decide where bulk handling starts and controlled release ends.
Confirm whether the project includes the bulk hopper, loading method, bowl, linear track, escapement, inspection, support frame, guarding, controls and connection to the receiving machine.
The downstream machine
Define mechanical, electrical and control boundaries.
Share the receiving-machine layout and identify ownership of every interface. Agree height, reach, track end, mounting, guarding boundary, supply, preferred control components and handshake signals.
- Demand and ready signals
- Part-present and pick confirmation
- Low-level, running and fault status
- Reset and recovery responsibility
- Emergency-stop and guard-circuit boundary
The test method
Make acceptance repeatable and measurable.
Agree the component set, sample quantity, trial duration, sustained output measurement, allowed intervention, reject handling and part-condition assessment. Record any assumptions about upstream loading or downstream consumption.
Ready to prepare a brief?
Use the project enquiry form as your specification checklist.
It captures the details needed for an initial engineering review.