Feeder system and method for supplying electrical components to a pickup location
First Claim
1. A feeder system for supplying electrical components to a pick-and-place machine, the feeder system comprising:
- at least one storage means for storing said components;
a pickup location for supplying said components to said pick-and-place machine;
a passage providing communication between said storage means and said pickup location;
a first air outlet associated with said storage means for providing air blasts to agitate said components stored therein;
a second air outlet located in a surface of said passage for providing air blasts to move said components along said passage towards said pickup location;
a third air outlet located in a surface of said passage for providing air blasts, said third air outlet being disposed between said pickup location and said second air outlet;
a pressurised air supply means operatively coupled to said first, second, and third outlets by respective valves; and
a controller for selectively controlling said valves to concurrently supply air blasts to said second and third air outlets to thereby retain at least at least one of said components therebetween.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A feeder system (1) and method supplies electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system (1) has a hopper (2) coupled by a passage (4) to a pickup location (3). The electrical components (20) are provided by air blasts to a first air outlet (6a) associated with the hopper (2) to agitate the components (20). Air blasts are concurrently supplied to a second and third air outlets (6b, 6c) located in the passage (6b) to thereby retain at least some of the components (20) therebetween. The third air outlet (6c) is disposed between the pickup location (3) and the second air outlet (6b) and in use an air blast from said third air outlet (6c) is effected immediately before an air blast from said second outlet (6b) is effected.
21 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A feeder system for supplying electrical components to a pick-and-place machine, the feeder system comprising:
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at least one storage means for storing said components; a pickup location for supplying said components to said pick-and-place machine; a passage providing communication between said storage means and said pickup location; a first air outlet associated with said storage means for providing air blasts to agitate said components stored therein; a second air outlet located in a surface of said passage for providing air blasts to move said components along said passage towards said pickup location; a third air outlet located in a surface of said passage for providing air blasts, said third air outlet being disposed between said pickup location and said second air outlet; a pressurised air supply means operatively coupled to said first, second, and third outlets by respective valves; and a controller for selectively controlling said valves to concurrently supply air blasts to said second and third air outlets to thereby retain at least at least one of said components therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for supplying electrical components to a pick-and-place machine by a feeder system having a storage device coupled by a passage to a pickup location, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing air blasts to a first air outlet associated with said storage device to agitate said components stored therein; and concurrently supplying air blasts to second and third air outlets located in a said passage to thereby retain at least one of said components therebetween, wherein said third air outlet is disposed between said pickup location and said second air outlet and said air blasts from said third air outlet is effected immediately before air blasts from said second outlet is effected. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification