Marking apparatus for electronic components

• US 5,613,343 A
• Filed: 06/14/1994
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Inoue, Keiichi, Kanitani, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): MOON, DANIEL B
• Application Number:
  US08/259,549
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 101/43, 101/44, 101/35, 101/36, 101/37, 53/54, 53/111 R, 53/131.2, 53/591
• US Class Current: 53/111.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 17/24 for printing on flat surfaces of polyhedral articles
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 17/36 for printing on tablets, pills, or like small articles

Abstract

Electronic components are held in first holding portions distributed along a peripheral edge portion of a first rotor, which in turn is intermittently rotated to provide the electronic components with markings. Then, ink providing the markings is cured on a supply track extending from the first rotor toward a second rotor. The electronic components held by the second rotor are successively supplied into cavities of a receiving tape along intermittent rotation of the second rotor. An apparatus for providing the markings comprises a printing plate having printing surfaces, a platen for supporting the electronic components, and a back support, elastically displaceably holding the platen, which can approach to and separate from the printing surfaces.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a taped electronic component series, comprising:

an intermittently rotated discoidal first rotor having a plurality of first holding portions being distributed along its peripheral edge portion for holding electronic components one by one therein respectively;

supply means for successively supplying a plurality of said electronic components into said first holding portions respectively at a position on a moving path of said first holding portions being defined by rotation of said first rotor;

marking means for marking respective said electronic components at a marking position on said moving path of said first holding portions, said marking means comprising a discoidal printing plate having a plurality of printing surfaces being distributed along its peripheral edge portion for marking said electronic components respectively, said printing plate being intermittently rotated in synchronization with said first rotor thereby successively locating said plurality of printing surfaces at said marking position, said marking means further comprising displacing means for displacing said electronic components toward said printing surfaces in said marking position;

an intermittently rotated discoidal second rotor, being arranged on a position different from that of said first rotor, having a plurality of second holding portions being distributed along its peripheral edge portion for holding said electronic components one by one therein respectively;

carriage/supply means for carrying said electronic components from said first holding portions and successively supplying said plurality of electronic components into said second holding portions respectively; and

means for successively supplying said plurality of electronic components from said second holding portions toward a tape for holding said plurality of electronic components while distributing the same along its longitudinal direction.

2. An apparatus for manufacturing a taped electronic component series in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for measuring characteristics of said electronic components being held in said first holding portions, and means for discharging those of said electronic components having improper characteristics from corresponding said first holding portions, said characteristic measuring means and said discharge means being arranged on said moving path of said first holding portions.

3. An apparatus for manufacturing a taped electronic component series in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for deciding defectiveness/non-defectiveness of markings provided on said electronic components being held in said first holding portions, and means for discharging those of said electronic components having defective markings from corresponding said first holding portions, said decision means and said discharge means being arranged on said moving path of said first holding portions.

4. An apparatus for manufacturing a taped electronic component series in accordance with claim 1, wherein ultraviolet setting ink is applied onto said printing surfaces for marking said electronic components, said carriage/supply means including an ultraviolet curing oven for curing said ink.

5. An apparatus for manufacturing a taped electronic component series in accordance with claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises a platen providing a support surface being positioned to be opposed to said printing surfaces for supporting said electronic components, and a back support, elastically displaceably holding said platen, being capable of approaching to and separating from said printing surfaces.