The ALMCO SBB-8 Vibratory Bowl System is our smallest standard bowl machine in the SBB line and it is ready for integration with other ALMCO systems. This unit is great for running batches of parts less than 6 inches in diameter.
Vibratory Finishing Equipment
SBB-8 VIBRATORY BOWL
OVERVIEW
SBB-8 SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The SBB-8 Vibratory Bowl system features a spiral bottom allowing parts to travel around the diameter of the process channel continously until the desired result is achieved. These bowls have the option of using automation for lifting the gate that allows parts to discharge from the machine while media is sifted internally.
Compared to other ALMCO Vibratory bowls including the AB and OR series, the SBB are made ready for automation. These US Made machines are designed to make it easy to maintain and keep running for decades. The internal working bearings and housings are easily accessed to provide efficient maintenance work.
Their automation ability, including a “gate clearing” feature makes the SBB-8 easily integrated into other ALMCO made systems.
KEY ADVANTAGES
- Automation features to set up batch processing
- Easy access and design for quick maintenance
- Heavy duty construction and thick polyurethane lining
- Easily integrated into washing and drying systems
COMMON APPLICATIONS
- Batch processing groups of components
- Edge breaking aluminum and other metal parts
- Steel ball burnishing and polishing
- Automated preparation for painting
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 80 in. (approx., excluding free-standing main electrical enclosure) |
| Overall Width | 60 in. (approx.) |
| Overall Height | 46 in. (approx.) |
| Bowl Outside Diameter | 55 in. |
| Bowl Working Diameter | 40 in. (centerline diameter of bowl channel) |
| Bowl Cross Section | 12 in. diameter |
| Bowl Working Capacity | 8 cubic feet |
| Bowl Lining | 1 in. thick polyurethane, 90 durometer |
| Product Load Height | 43 in. |
| Product Discharge Height | 36.5 in. (approx.) |
| Media Discharge Height | 20 in. (approx., from plug door in bottom of bowl) |
SYSTEM DETAILS
- Internal Part/Media Separation
- Urethane Lined Process Bowl
- Automated Rinse System
- How it Works
- Drive Unit
- Electrical Controls
- Machine Base
The Gate and Screen Activated
Internal Part/Media Separation
The bowl includes a built-in parts/media separator that consists of a horizontal screen (located near the top of the bowl) and a pivoting dam. The polyurethane-lined dam and plastisol-coated screen are used together to separate parts from media within the bowl.
The dam is manually controlled by a lever that extends out the side of the machine, and as the lever is moved, the dam pivots upward approximately 45 degrees to meet the screen, forcing the vibrating parts and media to flow up over the dam and across the screen. The manual lever can be replaced with an automatic pneumatic arm with a pushbutton added to the control panel.
The media falls through the openings in the screen and back into the bowl, while the parts ride on top of the screen and discharge out the machine to the next operation.
Lining of the Process Bowl
Urethane Lined Process Bowl
The 8 cubic foot processing bowl is a heavily gusseted, circular weldment. The “working channel” within the bowl has a U-shaped cross section lined throughout with 1″ thick cast polyurethane. The channel depth decreases as the channel progresses around the bowl, giving the machine its “SBB” name (“Spiral-Bottom Bowl”). The progressively rising channel allows for easy discharge of process parts from the bowl.
SBB Spray System
Integrated Rinse System
Mounted above the working channel of the bowl is the machine’s spray system, which is used to spray water and/or finishing compound onto the contents of the bowl. The underside of the bowl is equipped with two molded polyurethane drain plates that allow continuous drainage of liquid and fines from the bowl as the machine runs.
How SBBs Work
How it Works
The vibrating motion of the machine’s spring-mounted processing bowl is generated by the bowl vibrator assembly. This unit consists of a vertical shaft having a counterweight mounted on each end, with the shaft turning in a pair of spherical roller bearings pressed into precision-machined housings. The vibrator assembly is bolted to the bowl such that the vertical shaft runs down through the hollow center of the bowl, extending beneath the bowl within the machine base.
In operation, the out-of-phase counterweights on the spinning vibrator shaft create an imbalance that causes the spring-mounted processing bowl to rapidly “wobble” on its springs. This vibrating action in turn causes the mass of parts and media within the bowl to vibrate, roll, and progress around the bowl in an orderly fashion. The “action” (roll and progression) of parts and media within the bowl can be controlled by adjusting the speed of the vibrator shaft, changing the amount of upper and/or lower counterweight, and also by changing the angular relation between the upper and lower counterweights.
SBB-8 Drive Unit
Drive Unit
The vibrator assembly is driven by a 7-1/2 HP, 1800 RPM TEFC electric motor powered by an AC variable frequency drive. The motor mounts to the machine base, and the drive sheave on the motor is connected by V-belt to a companion sheave on the vibrator assembly. Frequency of vibration is variable and can be adjusted between from 800 to 1400 cycles per minute by turning a potentiometer dial located on the main electrical enclosure.
SBB PLC Electrical Upgrade
Electrical Controls
Electrical controls are housed in a free-standing enclosure. Components within the enclosure are finger-safe and are Allen-Bradley brand unless noted otherwise. Components include a main disconnect switch, fuse holders and branch circuit fuses, wireways, terminal strips, a 115 Volt control circuit transformer, master control relay, and a PowerFlex AC variable frequency drive. The process cycle timer, automatic dam controls (if provided) and all other process control pushbuttons and indicating lights are mounted on the front door of the main electrical enclosure. Buttons and lights are Allen-Bradley brand.
Machine Base
- Heavy gauge steel cylindrical weldment base
- Process bowl supported by ring-shaped plate with heavy-duty coil-wound springs
- Floor pads to secure machine
- Removable access panels
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What materials can the machine process?
Vibratory bowl tumblers are commonly used for:
- Steel and stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Brass and copper
- Zinc die-cast parts
- Plastic components
They are typically used for deburring, polishing, burnishing, cleaning, descaling, and edge radiusing.
What machine size do I need?
Machine size depends on:
- Part dimensions
- Batch volume
- Daily production requirements
- Required cycle time
ALMCO technicians will help you calculate capacity based on part volume, media-to-part ratio, and desired throughput.
What finish can I achieve?
Typical finishing objectives include:
- Deburring
- Surface smoothing
- Edge radiusing
- Satin finishing
- Bright polishing
- Burnishing
- Pre-paint or pre-plating preparation
The final finish depends on the machine, media, compound, and cycle time.
Which media should I use?
Common media options include:
- Ceramic media – aggressive deburring and polishing
- Plastic media – suitable for softer metals and delicate parts
- Steel media – burnishing and bright finishing
- Organic media (corn cob, walnut shell) – drying and final polishing
Media selection is one of the most important factors affecting performance and finish quality. ALMCO technicians will help you determine the best media for your application.
Can one machine handle multiple part types?
Yes, you can utilize different media and parts in the same bowl. Different parts and materials may require different size and shaped media depending on their outside geometry. If the same media works for multiple size components then you can run them consecutively.
Does it come with sound-dampening features?
The sound level is highly dependent on the type of tumbling media and the parts running in the tub. ALMCO offers an integrated acoustic sound lid to help dampen the noise. Some customers choose to build an insulated room around the tub to further eliminate sound.
What operating costs should I expect?
Cost of ownership includes
- Replenishing the media as it wears down in size
- Cleaning compounds
- Water consumption
- Electricity to run the machine motors depending on the amperage
- Maintenance and spare parts
Media consumption and compound usage often represent the largest recurring expenses.
Is automatic separation available?
A key feature of vibratory bowls is their ability for internal separation. The SBB-8s spiral bottom design allows media and parts to flow easily around the processing channel and up to the separation screen deck when a gate is engaged.
The SBB line can be equipped with:
- Pneumatic gate
- A gate clearing sequence that runs the machine in reverse
- Automated timers and automatic speed adjustment to slow down the process as parts leave the machine.
These features reduce labor and improve production efficiency.
Should I choose a vibratory bowl or a vibratory tub?
Vibratory bowls are best for:
• Parts smaller than six inches in diameter
• High-volume batch production
• Automatic media separation
A vibratory tub is usually preferred for:
• Long parts
• Larger parts that require separation using dividers
• Heavy components
• Parts that could become damaged in a bowl’s circular action
What are the questions I need to answer before buying an ALMCO machine?
- What is my daily production volume?
- What finish do I need?
- What are my part dimensions and material?
- Which media will be required?
- Do I need wet or dry processing?
- Do I need automatic separation?
- What is my budget for both equipment and consumables?
- How much floor space is available?
- What level of automation do I require?
- What ROI or throughput improvement am I expecting?
These are the questions most industrial buyers ask when evaluating ALMCO vibratory bowl and other finishing equipment.
What cycle time should I expect?
Cycle times are dependent on:
- The surface hardness of the material
- Starting surface roughness of the part
- Burr type
- Surface finish requirements
- Media type
Some cleaning applications or very light edge break may be accomplishing in one pass through the bowl. Heavy deburring or polishing applications can require several hours.
OPTIONS & UPGRADES
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound Hood | A sheet metal enclosure lined with 3” thick foam insulation for noise reduction. |
| PLC Touchscreen HMI | Upgraded electrical panel that gives you the ability for the following options. |
| Automatic Internal Separator | Allows automatic discharge of parts from the machine on a timed basis without operator assistance. |
| Gate Clearing Feature | Prevents parts from being trapped between the gate and the screen. |
| Tachometer | Consists of providing a digital display for the variable frequency drive. Used to display vibrator speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). |
| Elapsed Time Recorder | This non-resettable timer is mounted on the front door of the main electrical enclosure and is used to monitor total hours of machine use. |
| Machine-Mounted Compound Dispensing System | Tank includes a small Hydrominder that is used to pre-mix tap water and liquid compound. |
| Dosatron Compound Dispensing System | Feeds a selectable ratio of water and compound to the deburring machine. |
| UL® 508A Electrical Panel Certification | UL® 508A is an Underwriters Laboratories directive for components and wiring practices as they pertain to industrial control panels. The UL® Listing Mark is a certification label applied to the machine’s electrical panel that provides evidence of compliance to the directive. This label is routinely looked for by local electrical inspectors and shows that the panel complies with a widely accepted, third-party safety standard. |
| Automatic Lubrication System | A programmable unit that automatically lubricates the vibrator bearings. |
OPTIONS & UPGRADES
PLC CONTROLLER
The standard control panel can be upgraded to feature a touchscreen HMI interface with PLC controller to allow for greater process control and increased automation.
Compound Dosing
ALMCO offers flexible options for delivering compound to your process. These include both machine and wall mounted systems.
SOUND HOOD
The integrated sound hood helps reduce the noise level of the machine. The metal revolving door and frame are lined with acoustic foam to dampen vibration noise.
Water Recycling
Depending on your application, ALMCO offers a variety of solutions to treat the waste water generated during the tumbling process.
SBB Model Comparison
| Spec | SBB-8 | SBB-12 | SBB-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working Capacity | 8 | 12 | 24 |
| Overall Dimensions (In) | 80 × 60 × 46 | 90 × 74 × 44 | 96 × 82 × 52 |
| Channel Cross Section | 12″ | 13″ | 17.5″ |
| Estimated Once Around Time | 2-3 Minutes | 3-6 Minutes | 5-8 Minutes |
| Power Consumption | 50 Amps | 70 Amps | 90 Amps |
| Ceramic Media Required (lbs) | 760 | 1140 | 2280 |
| Steel Media Required (lbs) | 2400 | 3600 | 7200 |
| Plastic Media Required (lbs) | 520 | 780 | 1560 |
| Maximum Part Size | 12″ Diameter | 15″ Diameter | 19″ Diameter |
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