Bulk Feeders: Reliance Automation and ARS Automation
Why parts feeding holds back automation
A robot can only work as fast as parts reach it. On many Irish production lines, the robot is ready but an operator is still tipping components into a tray, or a vibratory bowl needs days of retooling every time the product changes. Bulk feeders paired with a flexible feeder solve both problems, and Reliance now supplies them across Ireland.
That is why Reliance Automation has partnered with ARS Automation, the Italian maker of the FlexiBowl® flexible feeding system and its matching bulk feeders.
What is a bulk feeder?
A bulk feeder (or hopper) stores loose parts and doses them onto a FlexiBowl® below it. An operator refills it occasionally instead of feeding parts by hand all shift.
The cycle then runs automatically:
- Dose. The bulk feeder drops a small batch of parts onto the FlexiBowl® disc.
- Separate. The disc rotates and pulses so the parts spread out.
- Pick. A camera finds each good part and guides the robot to it, then calls for more parts when the disc runs low.
ARS bulk feeders come in five sizes, from 1.5 L to 40 L, matched to the FlexiBowl® model and your output. They are stainless steel as standard, with options such as a polyurethane coating, a dosing gate and a level sensor.
Bulk feeders + FlexiBowl® vs a vibratory bowl
A vibratory bowl suits one part at very high volume for years. A FlexiBowl® system suits manufacturers who change products often or run many variants.
| Vibratory bowl | Bulk feeder + FlexiBowl® | |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling | Custom tooling for each part | No part-specific tooling |
| Changeover | Mechanical retooling | Software recipe change in minutes |
| Part range | One part or a close family | 1–300 mm and 1–300 g, any shape or material |
| Several parts at once | One bowl per part | Up to 4 part types on one feeder |
| Best for | Very high volume, one product | High-mix, frequent changeovers |
A cleanroom version certified for ISO 5 (ISO 14644-1) is available for medical device and life sciences sites.
Bulk feeders for manufacturers in Ireland
- Medical devices and life sciences: caps, seals, O-rings and small mouldings.
- General manufacturing and electronics: screws, pins, springs and connectors.
- FMCG and packaging: closures and caps for packing and kitting.
- Metal and machining: loading blanks into CNC machines.
The Reliance and ARS Automation partnership
Reliance Automation is the authorised partner for ARS Automation’s FlexiBowl® feeders, bulk feeders and accessories in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
ARS, based in Arezzo, Italy, has more than 30 years of experience in flexible automation and has supplied FlexiBowl® since 2011. Reliance adds engineers across Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Dundalk and Antrim, complete robot cells built with the cobots we already supply, including Universal Robots, and local stock, service and support.
ARS leads on the feeder itself: testing your parts and supplying the hardware. Reliance leads everything on the island of Ireland, from cell design to long-term support.
What to have ready
- Part samples of each variant
- Part size, weight and the rate you need
- How long the cell must run unattended
- Number of variants and how often you change over
- Cleanroom, FDA or anti-static requirements
- Your robot, if you already have one
Frequently asked questions
The bulk feeder stores parts and doses them. The flexible feeder (FlexiBowl®) spreads them out so a camera and robot can pick them. Most cells use both.
Yes. Changing parts is a software recipe change with no retooling. The FlexiBowl® 500, 650 and 800 can feed up to four part types at the same time.
FlexiBowl® works with cobots and industrial robots that support Ethernet (TCP/IP, UDP/IP), Ethernet/IP or digital I/O, and plug-ins are available for common robot brands.
Send us samples. ARS runs a free feasibility test on your actual parts, and we recommend the feeder model, bulk feeder size and options from the results.
Book a free bulk feeder feasibility test in Ireland
Send us samples of the parts you want to automate. With ARS, we’ll test them on a FlexiBowl®, recommend the right feeder and show you how it fits your line.
Talk to our engineers or call +353 (0) 21 4354204.
