Define the component
Record dimensions, weight, material, surface finish, variation, defects, contamination and any tendency to tangle or nest.
Application guide
Fastener feeding systems for screws, nuts and small metal parts
Selection considerations for orienting and presenting fasteners to assembly, insertion or pick-and-place equipment.
Engineering selection
Fastener geometry can make orientation simple, ambiguous or highly sensitive to variation.
Screws, nuts, washers, pins and clips can behave very differently in bulk. Head shape, thread, length, centre of gravity, oil, burrs and part-to-part nesting affect the feeder, track, escapement and downstream presentation method.
| Selection area | What to evaluate | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Head style, length, thread, symmetry, recess and centre of gravity. | Defines whether stable orientation is practical and how incorrect attitudes are rejected. |
| Condition | Oil, swarf, burrs, plating, magnetic behaviour and dimensional variation. | Can change friction, sensor response and tooling wear. |
| Presentation | Head-first, shank-first, axial, flat, nested or single-file requirement. | Determines the track and final escapement arrangement. |
| Downstream process | Screwdriver, press, robot, fixture, tube feed or manual pick point. | Defines release timing, orientation tolerance and handover. |
| Validation | Representative production lots, not only perfect samples. | Confirms the design copes with realistic variation and contaminants. |
Project method
Build the decision around representative samples and the complete handover
Provide real production components, the required exit orientation, target demand profile, discharge height, available footprint and details of the downstream machine. Suitability and any performance commitment should be confirmed by an agreed sample trial under defined conditions.
Define the presentation
Specify the accepted attitude, spacing, singulation, discharge datum, chute direction, escapement and sensor confirmation.
Define acceptance
Agree samples, test duration, demand sequence, reject handling, refill conditions and the evidence required before delivery.
Buyer questions
Frequently asked questions
Can screws be blown through a tube?
Some applications use tube delivery, but suitability depends on fastener geometry, orientation, distance, bends and the receiving device.
Why are oily parts difficult to feed?
Oil changes friction, attracts debris and can affect sensors and track movement. The real production condition must be included in trials.
Can one system feed several fastener sizes?
Possibly within a controlled family, but change parts, adjustments or dedicated tooling may be required. All variants must be assessed together.
Continue your feeder specification
Use the related product and technical pages below, then send representative samples and line details for an application review.
Need an application-specific feeder assessment?
Send Lancing the component samples, orientation, target demand, discharge height and downstream interface.