Russ, Looks like you have discovered the advantages of SSR. 

Tweakie.

Hi Tweakie,
  Here are 2 shots of the little trinket. I am waiting for a piece of 1" cast aluminum tool and jig plate to mount it to.
The parts will be delivered to the vertical guide chute by a vibratory feed bowl.
It's accurate to .01 mm. Can set the resolution to .001mm but not necessary for this app.
Was hoping for 1 sec per part, .8 would be better, this runs 85 parts per min.    .7 sec ea. GREAT !
That will do the 110,000 per week easily. Will replace the DC solenoids w/AC to eliminate the transformers and rectifiers.
Thanks for your help,
Russ

Very nice machine.

Tweakie.

I much prefer DC solenoids than AC, AC only has the edge over DC when pulling in due to the inrush current making for fast pull in.
If an ac solenoid seizes, or fails to pull in it usually means game over for the SS operator or blows a fuse.
This does not happen with a DC coil.
Once pulled in, the DC solenoid is more efficient.
A back EMF diode is recommended across the coil, this not only prevents a spike at switch off, and saves relay contacts,  but assists the use of unfiltered DC, if you so wish, as the free wheel action of the diode carries the current through at the point the voltage goes to zero in 120Hz ripple.
This has been the coil of choice in Europe for many decades, N.A. is now getting on board.
Nosmo.