Method and apparatus for sorting defective parts
First Claim
1. A method of sorting acceptable parts from defective parts produced by a parts producing machine having at least one operating variable whose value is determinative of the acceptability of the parts being produced, comprising the steps ofsensing said variable during a part production cycle of said machine to provide a control signal when the value of said variable is within a predetermined range,positioning a parts sorter mechanism responsive to said control signal in proximity to said machine to intercept parts produced by said machine,causing said parts sorter to respond to said signal to separate the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is within said range from the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is outside of said range,determining whether the value of said variable is above or below said range, andseparating the parts produced when the value of said variable is above said range from the parts produced when the value of said variable is below said range.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Peak pressure in a mold is sensed and if it is outside a predetermined range the part or parts being molded are separated from parts produced while the peak pressure is within the predetermined range.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A method of sorting acceptable parts from defective parts produced by a parts producing machine having at least one operating variable whose value is determinative of the acceptability of the parts being produced, comprising the steps of
sensing said variable during a part production cycle of said machine to provide a control signal when the value of said variable is within a predetermined range, positioning a parts sorter mechanism responsive to said control signal in proximity to said machine to intercept parts produced by said machine, causing said parts sorter to respond to said signal to separate the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is within said range from the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is outside of said range, determining whether the value of said variable is above or below said range, and separating the parts produced when the value of said variable is above said range from the parts produced when the value of said variable is below said range.
-
3. A method of sorting acceptable parts from defective parts produced by a parts producing machine having at least one operating variable whose value is determinative of the acceptability of the parts being produced, comprising the steps of
sensing said variable during a part production cycle of said machine to provide a control signal when the value of said variable is within a predetermined range, positioning a parts sorter mechanism responsive to said control signal in proximity to said machine to intercept parts produced by said machine, causing said parts sorter to respond to said signal to separate the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is within said range from the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is outside of said range, counting the number of machine cycles wherein the value of said variable is outside said range, and providing a second control signal if said number exceeds a predetermined number within a predetermined time interval.
-
5. A method of sorting acceptable parts from defective parts produced by a parts producing machine having at least one operating variable whose value is determinative of the acceptability of the parts being produced, comprising the steps of
sensing said variable during a part production cycle of said machine to provide a control signal when the value of said variable is within a predetermined range, positioning a parts sorter mechanism responsive to said control signal in proximity to said machine to intercept parts produced by said machine, causing said parts sorter to respond to said signal to separate the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is within said range from the parts produced by said machine when the value of said variable is outside of said range, storing said control signal after said sensing step, and delaying the operation of said parts sorter mechanism until said parts production cycle is completed.
-
6. Sorting apparatus for use with a parts production machine, comprising in combination
a conveyor disposed to receive parts produced by said machine, reversible drive means for driving said conveyor in one direction or the other, means responsive to an operating variable of said machine for causing said drive means to drive said conveyor in one direction when the value of said variable is within a predetermined range and to drive said conveyor in the other direction when the value of said variable is outside said range.
Specification