Abstract

A vibratory feeder is a machine that uses both vibration and gravitation to feed material to the machine. Each component of this machine undergoes continuous stress due to dynamic load acting on it for producing a vibratory effect. Due to this cyclic stress, the performance of the machine gradually reduces and leads to failure. In this case study, a mechanical vibro feeder has been analyzed based on the failure data. To analyze the data, Maintenance Significant Items (MSI) have been identified to prioritize the components that lead to the failure of the entire system and concentrating only on these MSI's results in the reduction of the investment time and resources. Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) chart is used to identify the MSI's based on the rankings of Risk Priority Number (RPN). Finally by using Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), main root causes that lead to failures of the critical components have also been identified. Keywords: Vibro Feeder, Maintenance Significant Items, Risk Priority Number, Failure Mode Effect Analysis, Fault Tree