Component handling machine
First Claim
1. A pick and place machine having a pick-up head for picking up electronic components from a pick-up location and placing the components at predetermined positions on printed circuit boards, the machine comprising:
- a conveyor belt for transporting printed circuit boards along the machine;
at least one track parallel to said conveyor belt, said track being elevated above said conveyor belt;
a member supported by the track and extending over the conveyor belt, said member being movable along the track;
pick-up means coupled to and movable along the member for picking up and placing said electronic components on the printed circuit boards;
an electronic component feed device including a vertically inclined slide member disposed below said track, the inclined member having at least one channel forming groove, said channel extending from the high to the low end of the inclined member and being adapted to receive electronic components at the high end of the channel and slidably direct the components to a pick-up location at the lower end of the channel, the lower end of said channel at said pick-up location being horizontally disposed; and
vibrating means for vibrating the inclined member, the vibrating means vibrating in a back and fourth linear manner along a single line, said single line being disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the lower end of said channel at said pick-up location such that the vibrations urge the electronic components down the channel toward the pick-up location and to one side of the channel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pick and place machine having an electronic component feed device is described. The feed device feeds electronic components to various pick up locations with such high positional accuracy that alignment jaws on the pick up head are not necessary. Elevated tracks run parallel to a printed circuit board conveyor belt. These elevated tracks support an arm which in turn supports the electronic component pick up head. The feed device is positioned under the elevated tracks so that an operator can replenish the supply of electronic components in the feed device without reaching over the tract.
14 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A pick and place machine having a pick-up head for picking up electronic components from a pick-up location and placing the components at predetermined positions on printed circuit boards, the machine comprising:
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a conveyor belt for transporting printed circuit boards along the machine; at least one track parallel to said conveyor belt, said track being elevated above said conveyor belt; a member supported by the track and extending over the conveyor belt, said member being movable along the track; pick-up means coupled to and movable along the member for picking up and placing said electronic components on the printed circuit boards; an electronic component feed device including a vertically inclined slide member disposed below said track, the inclined member having at least one channel forming groove, said channel extending from the high to the low end of the inclined member and being adapted to receive electronic components at the high end of the channel and slidably direct the components to a pick-up location at the lower end of the channel, the lower end of said channel at said pick-up location being horizontally disposed; and vibrating means for vibrating the inclined member, the vibrating means vibrating in a back and fourth linear manner along a single line, said single line being disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the lower end of said channel at said pick-up location such that the vibrations urge the electronic components down the channel toward the pick-up location and to one side of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification