Counting and Packaging Compatibility for Hardware Kits In Automotive Accessories
We got an inquiry from a South African customer who makes automotive accessories like bull bars, tow bars, side steps, and sports bars. Each part is accompanied by its own custom set of fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws, washers, etc), here known as a bolt kit. For instance: If an order for 50 tow bars, they must pack 50 bolt kits with the fasteners for that tow bar. In total, there are over 400 kinds of fasteners and around 50 different package combinations of items. Most of the combinations require about 15 – 20 different parts. The customer tries to find an automatic hardware packing machine, Furthermore, machine compatibility with fasteners is of great importance.
Automatic counting and packaging machines equipped with vibratory bowls offer an efficient solution for these custom hardware kits. However, a major consideration is whether a single vibratory bowl can adapt to different fasteners. For instance, can the same bowl effectively count and sort both M10 nuts for one bolt kit and M12 screws for another? This compatibility is essential for manufacturers with varied product lines, where each line may require a distinct hardware set.
High-quality vibratory bowls are designed with adaptability in mind. Many advanced models allow customizable settings to handle variations in size, shape, and weight, enabling the same bowl to sort different items with quick adjustments. For example, modular vibratory bowls allow operators to switch from one fastener type to another by fine-tuning the bowl’s settings, eliminating the need for a dedicated bowl for each item. This flexibility minimizes downtime and makes it easier to meet diverse packaging needs.
Moreover, these counting machines offer precise, high-speed processing that not only saves labor costs but also improves accuracy across large orders. For automotive accessory manufacturers, the capability to handle multiple fastener types in one machine significantly optimizes production and ensures that each product is shipped with the correct hardware kit.
The bowl can be compatible the similar parts in a certain size range, but one machine is unable to be compatible with so many different items. We suggest the customer pack the main combinations with the one machine first as it’s difficult to be compatible and takes time to adjust the machine, and performance is not so stable. We suggest packing one combination for at least a day, not good to always change.
