FlexiBowl
FlexiBowl (ARS S.r.l.) makes a patented, vision-guided flexible parts feeding system that replaces vibratory bowl feeders in automated production lines using industrial robots. It serves manufacturers in automotive, medical, cosmetics, electronics, metal, plastic, and non-rigid materials across 40+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersArezzo, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FlexiBowl does
FlexiBowl, the flagship product of ARS S.r.l. (an Italian private limited company founded in 1983 and headquartered in Arezzo/Civitella in Val di Chiana, Italy), is a patented vision-guided flexible parts feeding system for industrial production lines using industrial robots or cobots. Unlike traditional vibratory bowl feeders, the system uses a rotary disc combined with a servomotor and impulse generator to separate and orient parts, paired with 2D machine-vision-based detection via the FlexiVision software (which integrates with the Cognex vision library) to send pick coordinates to the robot. The portfolio spans the FlexiBowl 200, 350, 500, 650, 800 and the new 1200 models, with specialized ISO 5 cleanroom variants, FlexiTrack circular tracking mode, and a Multiple Parts Feeding option; a broad plug-in ecosystem connects the system to virtually every major industrial robot and PLC vendor.
The company addresses automotive, cosmetics and personal care, medical and life sciences, electronic and electrical, metal, plastic, and non-rigid materials manufacturers that need to feed delicate, adhesive, burr-affected, or high-mix parts without dedicated tooling. Core value propositions are quick changeovers (seconds to minutes), feed rates of 20–50 parts per minute (up to 75+ with circular tracking), 15+ year system lifecycle, and claimed OEE up to 98.9% versus roughly 65% for multiple vibratory bowls.
FlexiBowl monetizes primarily through hardware sales of the feeder units and accessories, software licenses for FlexiVision, premium and license-free robot and PLC plug-ins, and professional services for installation, configuration, and remote support. Complete solutions (feeder, small robot, vision camera, and software) average €25–30k versus €20–25k for traditional vibratory bowl setups. Go-to-market is channel-driven via authorized distributors in 40+ countries, supplemented by direct enterprise sales through the Italian headquarters and, since March 2024, ARS Automation, Inc. in the United States; lead generation is supported by a free feasibility-test program and a heavy trade-show presence (ATX West, Automatica, Motek, Global Industrie, ITM Industry Europe).
FlexiBowl firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FlexiBowl
- Legal name
- ARS S.r.l.
- Website
- https://flexibowl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FlexiBowl (ARS S.r.l.) makes a patented, vision-guided flexible parts feeding system that replaces vibratory bowl feeders in automated production lines using industrial robots. It serves manufacturers in automotive, medical, cosmetics, electronics, metal, plastic, and non-rigid materials across 40+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FlexiBowl industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Equipment
- akta.pro primary industry
- Packaging Line Automation, Robotics & Integration (Controls, Turnkey Lines) (IMALAOAL)
Keywords
Where FlexiBowl is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arezzo
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
FlexiBowl business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Flexible Feeding Systems Hardware: Sale of FlexiBowl hardware including the feeder unit, rotary discs, hoppers, lighting systems, and accessories. Assembly-to-order (ATO) production with 4-week lead time.
- Vision and Control Software: FlexiVision PC-based vision software for robot guidance. Includes optional integration with Cognex vision library.
- Professional Services: Installation, configuration, remote support, and maintenance services. Project office offers application analysis and configuration proposals.
- Robot Plugins: Premium and license-free robot plugins for integration with various industrial robots and PLCs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | FlexiBowl System (Complete) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
FlexiBowl product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FlexiBowl is a patented flexible parts feeding system for automated production lines using industrial robots or cobots. It uses a servomotor-driven rotary disc combined with an impulse generator and 2D machine vision to separate, orient, and present parts (1–250mm, up to 7kg payload) for robotic pick-up at 20–50 parts per minute, replacing dedicated vibratory bowl feeders. The offering is complemented by the FlexiVision vision software, Bulk Feeders/hoppers, Robot and PLC Plug-ins, FlexiTrack circular tracking mode, and ISO 5 Cleanroom variants.
Product overview
FlexiBowl is a platform-based flexible feeding system portfolio centered on the FlexiBowl® core product, which uses a vision-guided approach with a rotary disc and impulse generator to separate and orient parts for robotic pick-up. The platform includes FlexiVision (vision software), Bulk Feeders (hoppers for storing and feeding parts), and Robot/PLC Plug-ins (communication middleware). Multiple models are offered across the range (FlexiBowl 200, 350, 500, 650, 800, and the new 1200), with specialized Cleanroom versions (ISO 5 certified) and FlexiTrack circular tracking mode for enhanced productivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FlexiBowl Flexible Parts Feeding System
Quantifiable outcome
- Feed rate of 20-50 parts per minute (up to 75+ ppm with circular tracking)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use FlexiBowl
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
FlexiBowl technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration24 records
AI capability2 records
Feature8 records
FlexiBowl partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered regional, minor and core.
- GM AutomatykaregionalPolish distributor and system integrator that presented FlexiBowl at ITM Industry Europe 2021 in Poznan. Led by vice-president Mateusz Gierczak, showcasing FlexiBowl features including super-fast feed rate and multi-feed mode capabilities.
- Unchained Robotics PlatformminorFlexiBowl joined the Unchained Robotics Platform, a marketplace for robotics solutions, expanding digital distribution presence.
- CognexcoreFlexiVision vision software leverages the Cognex vision library for robust vision software on any industrial camera or frame grabber. Enables easy handling of randomly oriented parts with AI-powered image analysis.
- Robot Manufacturers (Plugin Ecosystem)coreExtensive plugin ecosystem for robot integration including Fanuc (FlexiExpert premium), Universal Robots, ABB, DENSO, Doosan Robotics, Epson, Hyundai Robotics, JAKA, Kassow Robots, Kawasaki, KUKA, Mecademic, Mitsubishi Electric, Omron, Stäubli, Shibaura Machine, TM Robot, and Yaskawa. Premium plugins for Fanuc and Universal Robots; license-free plugins for others.
- SiemenscorePLC plugin developed for Siemens PLCs programmable in TIA Portal V15 or superior. Enables full FlexiBowl management from PLC via TCP/IP without needing gateways or PC. Supports multiple FlexiBowl units simultaneously.
- Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)corePLC plugin available for Allen-Bradley PLCs enabling integration with FlexiBowl feeding systems.
- Omron PLCcorePLC plugin available for Omron PLCs enabling integration with FlexiBowl feeding systems.
- FanuccoreFeatured in FlexiTrack Covid-19 application with Fanuc robot for circular tracking mode. Premium FlexiExpert plugin available. Vision processing and robot picking operate simultaneously for reduced cycle time.
- Vision System ManufacturerscoreFlexiBowl compatible with all robot vision guidance systems including Fanuc, Epson, Cognex, Keyence, Sick, Data Logic, Sensorpart, Omron, and MVtec.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FlexiBowl competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Afag: Swiss automation components and feeding systems provider offering vibratory feeders, flexible feeding, and handling modules used in similar robotic assembly cells as FlexiBowl.
- Asyril: Swiss-based maker of the Asycube flexible parts feeder, the most direct functional competitor to FlexiBowl — vision-guided flexible feeding using vibration of a coated plate, integrated with robots for part separation and orientation.
- Schunk: German market leader in gripping and handling technology for robotics; comparable in industrial feeding/handling and competing in the same robot-integration ecosystem as FlexiBowl.
- RNA Automation: UK/German provider of bowl feeders, linear feeders, and bulk feeding systems for industrial automation; competes with FlexiBowl in the same vibratory-to-flexible feeding transition for parts handling.
- Grenzebach: German-based provider of automated handling and assembly solutions including flexible parts feeding for industrial production lines, directly comparable to FlexiBowl's flexible feeding portfolio.
- Zimmer Group: German manufacturer of grippers, handling technology, and feeding systems; overlaps with FlexiBowl in robotic part-handling and flexible feeding applications across automotive and electronics.
- Eriez: US-based manufacturer of vibratory feeders and parts feeding equipment; the dominant legacy bowl-feeder supplier whose installed base is the primary displacement target for FlexiBowl's flexible feeding value proposition.
Broad incumbents
- Cognex: US-based machine vision leader whose vision library is integrated into FlexiVision; adjacent competitor and partner — could expand into integrated feeding+vision offerings that disintermediate FlexiBowl.
- ATS Corporation: Canadian large-scale automation systems integrator serving medical, automotive, and life sciences — buys and integrates flexible feeding solutions like FlexiBowl into customer production lines; comparable buyer/customer and integrator peer.
- FANUC: Largest industrial robot manufacturer and FlexiBowl's deepest integration partner (premium FlexiExpert plugin); a broad incumbent whose own feeding and vision roadmap poses both upside (sales channel) and risk (disintermediation) for FlexiBowl.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FlexiBowl social profiles
Digital presenceFlexiBowl compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
FlexiBowl financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FlexiBowl leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
FlexiBowl subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
FlexiBowl funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FlexiBowl M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FlexiBowl
What does FlexiBowl do?
FlexiBowl is a patented flexible parts feeding system for automated production lines using industrial robots or cobots. It uses a servomotor-driven rotary disc combined with an impulse generator and 2D machine vision to separate, orient, and present parts (1–250mm, up to 7kg payload) for robotic pick-up at 20–50 parts per minute, replacing dedicated vibratory bowl feeders. The offering is complemented by the FlexiVision vision software, Bulk Feeders/hoppers, Robot and PLC Plug-ins, FlexiTrack circular tracking mode, and ISO 5 Cleanroom variants.
Is FlexiBowl a public or private company?
FlexiBowl is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was FlexiBowl founded?
FlexiBowl was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FlexiBowl based?
FlexiBowl is headquartered in Arezzo, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does FlexiBowl make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Flexible Feeding Systems Hardware is the primary driver. The others are vision and Control Software, professional Services and robot Plugins.
Who are FlexiBowl's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Afag, Asyril, Schunk, RNA Automation, Grenzebach, Zimmer Group and Eriez. Broad incumbents are Cognex, ATS Corporation and FANUC.
Does FlexiBowl have an API?
No public API is recorded for FlexiBowl.
What industry is FlexiBowl in?
FlexiBowl's product category is Industrial Automation Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAOAL, Packaging Line Automation, Robotics & Integration (Controls, Turnkey Lines).