Working Principle of an Elevator/Lifter

I. Bucket Elevator

1. Loading: Buckets at the bottom scoop or receive material from an inlet.

2. Lifting: Buckets attached to a belt or chain are carried vertically upward.

3. Discharging: At the top, buckets tip over, dumping material into the feeder hopper.

4. Returning: Empty buckets return down to the bottom for the next cycle.

Characteristics: High capacity, suitable for granular, small parts.

II. Screw Elevator (Spiral Lifter)

1. Loading: Material enters through a bottom inlet.

2. Conveying: A rotating helical screw pushes material up a stationary tube or trough.

3. Discharging: Material is discharged from the top outlet into the bowl.

Characteristics: Compact, enclosed, good for dusty or tangle-prone materials.

III. Reciprocating/Vibratory Lifter

1. Carrying: Material is placed on a lifting tray or cup.

2. Lifting: A cylinder or motor drives the tray in a straight vertical motion.

3. Dumping: At the top, the tray tilts or turns over to discharge material, then returns empty.

Characteristics: Gentle, ideal for fragile parts; slower speed.

Summary: Despite different designs, the core principle of all elevators is to use mechanical motion to overcome gravity and move material vertically, enabling automated vertical integration in the feeding process.