EP0904677A1

EP0904677A1 - Device for transporting and/or sorting small components, in particular small electrical components

Info

Publication number: EP0904677A1
Application number: EP98909300A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georg Sillner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-01-29
Filing date: 1998-01-29
Publication date: 1999-03-31
Also published as: WO1998034452A1; JP2000508840A; US6152006A

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel design of a device for transporting small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably surface-mount devices. The inventive device comprises at least one conveying section consisting of at least one first transport element and at least one second transport element, each having a plurality of pick-up areas for picking up and holding one component each, and which form a common transfer area in which each component is passed from the pick-up area of one transport element to the pick-up area of a second transport element, the pick-up areas of the one transport element being formed by pipette-like vacuum holders.

Description

Device for conveying and / or sorting small components, in particular small electrical components

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1, 5, 21 or 27.

Devices for conveying small components and in particular also small electrical components, for example in the form of SMDs (surface mounted devices), are known in a wide variety of designs and are used, for example, in devices or systems in which such components are processed (for example bending connecting wires). , measured (especially with regard to their electrical properties and functions), sorted (batch formation) and / or strapped. Such devices are often referred to as bag-and-line or bag-and-machines.

The object of the invention is to show a device for conveying small components, which can be used in many cases with simple training and / or has a high level of operational reliability. To solve this problem, a device is designed according to claim 1, 5, 21 or 27.

In a basic embodiment of the invention, the device has at least two transport elements which connect to one another at a connection area within a common conveying path, the components at this connection area being passed on from reception areas of the one transport element to reception areas of the other transport element. The receiving areas on the one transport element are formed by vacuum holders, preferably by pipette-like vacuum holders. The receptacles on the other transport element are formed by a surface of this transport element, specifically each in the area of an opening. The other surface side of the transport element, which is formed by a conveyor belt or transport wheel, rests on a guide which has at least one vacuum channel open towards this surface side. This vacuum channel is closed off by the conveyor belt or transport wheel, except for the openings in the conveyor belt or transport wheel. The vacuum channel is connected to a vacuum source, so that the components are each held under pressure in the region of an opening. In connection with the design of the receiving areas on the one transport element in the form of pipette-like vacuum holders, a simple transfer of the components from one transport element to the other transport element is possible.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a device for conveying small components, this device being particularly suitable for feeding components in a system in which the components to be treated are supplied in a lead frame. Especially with multiple lead frames, i.e. With lead frames in which the components are arranged in several rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame, there is the problem that the machine spacing, i.e. The distance between the receiving areas of the treatment machine (e.g. back-end machine) and the grid dimension of the lead frame, i.e. must be adapted to the distance that the components are in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame. It is therefore difficult to process lead frames with different grid dimensions with the same machine. This problem is avoided by the device according to the invention, i.e. The device can be adapted to different grid dimensions solely by changing the feed for the lead frame. The change required for this can be carried out in software.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for Conveying small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably SMDs, with at least one transport path formed by a transport element with a plurality of holders for the components, preferably designed as vacuum holders, the holders moving with the transport element preferably clocked along the transport path in the direction of their Axis, preferably are displaceable in a vertical axis. This device is characterized in that the holders are provided on the transport element so as to be rotatable about their axis, and in that at least one turning or turning station is formed on the transport path, at which the holders are moved past and on which a driver actuated by a drive leads to the each holder located at this turning station can be coupled and actuated to rotate the holder.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a device for conveying small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably SMDs, with at least one transport path formed by a transport element with a plurality of holders for the components designed as vacuum holders, the with the Transport element, preferably clocked along the transport path, can be moved in the direction of its axis, preferably in a vertical axis. This device is characterized in that at least one test station for the presence or absence of a component on a holder is provided on the transport route with a light barrier which consists of a light-emitting element, a light detector and a light route formed between them each of which includes the vacuum channel provided in the holders (9a).

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using an exemplary embodiment. Show it: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation and top view of a back-end machine for electrical components, together with a clearance and

Positioning device according to the invention; Fig. 2 in an enlarged partial view and in longitudinal section an embodiment of the

Conveyor or transfer belt for use in the clearance and

Positioning device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 in a simplified partial representation a section along the line l-l of Fig.

2; Fig. 4 in a simplified partial representation and in partial section the cutting or

Punching station of the device; Fig. 5-8 in a simplified representation and in plan view of the transfer or transfer plate of the punching and positioning device; Fig. 9 in an enlarged view and in plan view of the lead frame feed

Free punching device and the subsequent transport device; Fig. 10 in a simplified representation and in section a buffer station; Fig. 1 1 is an enlarged detail view of Fig. 2; 12 shows a section similar to FIG. 10 through a transport system in the area of a station designed as a longitudinal conveyor or inline conveyor

Turning the components; 13 shows a representation like FIG. 12, but in the area of a belt station for

Introducing the respective component in a belt preformed cup; Fig. 14 in a very simplified representation and in plan view, the lead frame feed, the free punching device and the subsequent transport device in a further embodiment of the invention.

In the figures, 1 is a back-end machine for processing electrical components 2, for example SMDs, the components being, for example, transistors and each component being a plastic housing 3 and two opposite sides of this housing has radially projecting connections (leads) 4.

In principle, the machine 1 essentially consists of a feed unit 5, to which the components 2 are fed as a lead frame 6 (conveying direction V) and the essential component of which is the clearance and positioning device 7. With this device 7, which will be described in more detail below, the components 2 are punched out of the lead frame 6 and passed on in a predetermined orientation to a transport system 8 which has a plurality of vacuum holders 9 for holding one component 2 each. With the transport system 8, the components 2 are moved in the transport direction T1 of this system past several work and test stations, for example a bending station 10, measuring stations 11, a buffer station 12, and finally arrive at a station 13 for sorting the components 2 as loose goods or for batch formation in different shafts in accordance with the measured electrical values or to one of the belt stations 1 3 'for belting up the components 2, with the belt stations 13' in turn corresponding to the measured values obtained at the measuring stations 11 in each case components 2 one Batch to be taped from a belt. A station 14 is also provided on the transport system 8 designed as a longitudinal conveyor or inline conveyor, at which the components 2 are rotated about a vertical axis, specifically by a predetermined angular range, for example an angular range of 90 ° or 180 °. The station 14 is also referred to below as the “turning station”.

Transport system 8:

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport system 8 consists essentially of an endlessly rotating steel belt 15, which is arranged upright, that is to say with its surface sides arranged in vertical planes, and guided over two deflection wheels 16. On the outer side of the loop formed by the steel band 1 5 are successively several blocks 1 7 attached. On each block 1 7, two vacuum pipettes or vacuum holders 9 are provided which can be displaced in the vertical direction. Each holder 9 is biased upwards by a spring 18. The holder 9 is controlled by a stationary guide curve 19. Along the conveyor path between the feed unit 9 and the belt stations 1 3 ', the steel belt 15 lies with the inside of the loop against a guide bar 20 with a vacuum channel 21, with which each vacuum holder 9 is connected via an associated opening 22 in the steel strip 15 and a corresponding channel in the block 17.

Free punching and positioning device 7:

This free punching and positioning device 7 essentially consists of the following elements:

Device 23 for feeding the lead frame 6. This device is designed so that it enables a step-by-step feeding and further movement of the lead frame 6 (in the conveying direction V) very precisely, even in steps of different sizes. For this purpose, the feed device 23 has a motor feed 24, which is controlled by a central control device 25, in accordance with an input or programming on an input unit 26, on which then, for example, only the type of the lead frame 6 or a lead frame 6 or the type of identification code is entered.

The lead frame 6 has two edge regions 6 ′, each of which has a perforation formed by a plurality of holes 6 ″, so that an exact feeding is possible. Furthermore, the lead frame 6 is designed as a four-fold lead frame, ie on this lead frame the components 2 are provided in four rows each extending in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame, of which two adjacent rows labeled "A" in the figures represent a first group and two adjacent rows labeled "B" a second Form a group 2. A component 2 of each row A or B lies respectively in the transverse direction of the lead frame, ie in the axial direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance V and to the longitudinal axis of the lead frame with components 2 of the remaining rows.

5ff indicates the grid dimension or the distance in which the components 2 in each row A or B follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame. In these figures, "X" denotes a grid dimension or a distance is specified which corresponds to the center distance of two vacuum holders 9 in succession on the transport system 8 or the receiving areas formed there on the underside of the holders 9. 5 ff also shows that the distance X is not an integral multiple of the distance P. Rather, in the embodiment shown, the distance X is equal to five times the distance P minus a difference length Y, i.e. X = 5 P- Y.

“D” in FIGS. 5ff denotes the center distance that the components 2 of two adjacent rows A, B have from one another perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lead frame.

Another essential component of the device 7 is the cutting station 27, at which the components 2 are punched out or removed from the lead frame 6 from below in such a way that 2 parts of the webs of the lead frame on each component are known 6 remain as connections 4. The cutting station has two cutting positions 28 and 29 which are offset from one another in the feed direction V of the lead frame 6 at a distance X, namely a cutting position 28 for two components 2 of the two rows A and (adjacent in the feed direction) which are adjacent in the transverse direction of the lead frame V following) the cutting position 29 for two components 2 of the two rows B arranged next to one another in the lead frame transverse direction (for example FIGS. 5 and 6). The design of the cutting device 27 at the two cutting positions 28 and 29 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The cutting or punching tool in each case consists of these cutting positions

An upper, plate-shaped die 30 which has two die openings 31 transversely to the conveying direction V,

• two clamping elements 32 that can be moved up and down in the vertical direction, each provided on the two long sides of the lead frame 6 and only one of which is shown in FIG. 4, and

• The tool part 33, which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction and which forms two cutting punches 34, each interacting with a die opening 31.

To free-cut a pair of components 2 of the two rows A or B, the lead frame 6 is moved so that these two components 2 to be stamped out then at the relevant cutting position 28 or 29, i.e. are centered on the die opening 31. The lead frame is then fixed by activating the clamping elements 32 and then the two components 2 are punched out by activating the tool 33. Even before the tool 33 is activated, each component 2 is held by a vacuum holder 35 reaching from above through the die opening 31, which moves in the vertical direction when the component in question is punched out and the component 2 also in the predetermined position after the punching out Orientation holds and leads away from the cutting position 28 or 29. The vacuum holders 35 are part of the transfer plate 36, which will be described in more detail below. The vacuum holders 35 are each provided in pairs there.

Furthermore, the cutting station 27 is designed such that the punching out of a pair of components 2 of the two rows A at the cutting position 28 is carried out separately from the punching out of the components 2 of the pair of the two rows B at the cutting position 29 and vice versa, ie in each Operating cycle of the device 7 or the cutting station 27 and the transfer plate 36 operating synchronously with this cutting station, two components 2 are alternately punched out at the cutting position 28 or at the cutting position 29.

The transfer plate 36 can be rotated about a vertical axis by means of a drive 37, this drive, which in turn is controlled by the central control device 25, allowing the transfer plate 36 to be stopped or positioned precisely in positions predefined, for example, by a control program.

In the embodiment shown, a total of four pairs of vacuum holders 35 are provided on the transfer plate 36, specifically those designated 35a in FIGS. 5 et seq., In relation to the vertical axis of rotation 38 arranged radially further inward, and those designated 35b in these figures radially vacuum holder located further out. The vacuum holders 35a are assigned to the cutting position 28 or a respective die opening 31 there, and the vacuum holders 35b are assigned to the cutting position 29 or a die opening 31 there.

In the embodiment shown, the two pairs of vacuum holders 35a and also the two pairs of vacuum holders 35b are each offset from one another by 180 ° with respect to the axis of rotation 38. The transfer plate 36, which is rotated step by step or clocked, interacts with a subsequent sorting and transfer section 39, which is designed as a linear conveyor and whose horizontal conveying direction F2 is oriented perpendicular to the feed direction V. The sorting and transfer section 39 forms two conveying areas A ', B' which extend parallel to each other in the conveying direction F2 and are at a distance X perpendicular to the conveying direction F2. Each conveyor area A ', B' has a feed position 40, at which two components 2 are successively placed in the conveying direction F2 in the normal direction of operation using two vacuum holders 35 provided on the transfer plate 36, namely two adjacent components 2 of the two on the conveyor area A ' Rows A and am Conveying area B 'two adjacent components 2 of the two rows B of the lead frame 6. Each conveying area A' and B 'also has a removal position 41 on the transport system 8, the removal positions 41 of the conveying areas A' and B 'being offset from one another in the conveying direction F1 are, in such a way that in each case the components 2 ready at the removal positions 41 of the two conveying areas A 'and B' are simultaneously picked up by two vacuum holders 9 which follow one another in the conveying direction F1.

The transfer plate 36, which is driven clocked about the axis of rotation 38, has a total of four rest positions in the embodiment shown, namely:

• Position 1 (Fig. 5):

In this position there is a first pair of vacuum holders 35b at the cutting position 29 and a second pair of vacuum holders 35b at the feed position 40 of the conveying area B ';

• Position 2 (Fig. 6):

In this position there is a first pair of vacuum holders 35a at the cutting position 28 and a second pair of vacuum holders 35a at the feed position 40 of the conveying area A ';

• Position 3 (Fig. 7):

In this position, the second pair of vacuum holders 35b are located at the cutting position 29 and the first pair of vacuum holders 35b are located at the feed position 40 of the conveying area B ';

• Position 4 (Fig. 8):

In this position, the second pair of vacuum holders 35a is on the

Cutting position 28 and the first pair of vacuum holders 35a at the

Feed position 40 of the conveyor area A '.

The sorting and transfer section 39 in the embodiment shown consists essentially of an endless, rotating steel belt 42 which is guided over deflection rollers or wheels 43, each about a horizontal axis are rotatable and at least one deflection wheel is driven. The steel band 42 forms an upper, horizontal length with which this steel band rests on a guide body 44, specifically with the inner side of the loop. Provided in the guide body 44 are two grooves 45 which are open to the flat, horizontal upper side and which are closed on the bottom, on the two longitudinal sides and on the two ends. In each case a groove 45 is located under one of the conveying areas A 'and B'.

For each conveyor area A 'and B', a plurality of openings 46 are provided in the steel belt 42, which follow one another at predetermined intervals and whose cross section is smaller than the area which has the underside of the housing 3 of the components 2. The grooves 45 on the upper side of the guide body 44 covered by the steel band 42 are connected to a source (not shown) for a vacuum or a vacuum. Each opening 46 forms a receiving area for a component 2, which is then held at this opening 46 by the negative pressure in the respective groove 45 and is thus moved along with the steel belt 42 in the conveying direction F2, from the respective feed position 40 to the removal position 41 . The components 2 are fixed in their orientation by the negative pressure.

By means of the drive 47, the steel belt 42 is driven in a clocked manner by the control device 25 via one of the deflection wheels 43 such that whenever two components 2 with the two vacuum holders 35a are connected to two receiving areas 46 of the conveying area A 'and also two further components 2 in one subsequent work cycle were placed by the vacuum holder 35b on two receiving areas 46 of the conveying area B ', that steel band 42 is moved further in the conveying direction F2 by a length corresponding to the distance from two receiving areas 46, so that then at the feeding position 40 of the two conveying areas A' and B 'In turn, two empty receiving areas 46 are ready. A blow-off device 48 is provided on the conveyor path between the feed position 40 and the removal position 41, with which defective and / or incorrectly oriented components can be blown off on both sides. As indicated at 48 ', this blow-off device can be formed by a strip which extends over a greater length of the conveyor line formed by the belt 42 and serves as a kidney holder for this belt.

The components 2 at the removal position 41 can be removed from the sorting and transfer section 39 in a particularly simple manner by the vacuum holders 9 of the transport system 8.

The device 7 has the advantage that one and the same back-end machine 1 can be used for a wide variety of lead frames 6, and in particular the distance P that the components 2 have in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame vary widely can. The respective distance P is taken into account only by appropriate control of the feed V for the lead frame 6, for example in software. Furthermore, the device 7 can also be controlled and / or designed in such a way that lead frames 6 can be processed with only two rows or with four rows of components 2, but also with a different number of rows. The device 7 is controlled in such a way that the components 2 of the rows A only reach the conveying area A 'and the components 2 of the rows B only the conveying area B'.

Buffer section 12

FIG. 1 1 shows the buffer section 12 in a simplified sectional illustration. It consists of a disk-shaped transport wheel 49 that can be driven about the vertical axis and has a plurality of openings 50 on the circumference, which are easily formed in openings 46 and form receiving areas for one component 2 each . Below the openings 50, which are provided at uniform angular intervals, an annular vacuum channel 51 is formed in a disk-shaped guide body 52, against which the transport wheel designed as a thin disk bears, which in turn has a groove-shaped design and is covered on the top by the transport wheel 49. The transport wheel 49 is located below the movement path of the vacuum holder 9 of the transport system 8, in the embodiment shown in such a way that this movement path intersects diagonally.

The components 2 are introduced into the buffer section 12 in that they are placed on the receiving areas 50 one after the other on one side of the buffer section by lowering the vacuum holder 9. On an opposite side, the components 2 are then removed one after the other from the buffer section by likewise lowered vacuum holders 9.

In this buffer section too, the combination of the vacuum holders 9 on the transport system 8 of the receiving areas formed by the openings 50 with vacuum fixation of the components 2 makes it particularly easy and reliable to transfer the components 2 from the one transport element, namely from the vacuum holders 9 the other transport element, namely to the transport wheel 49, and vice versa, is possible without further mechanical aids.

Turning station 14:

FIG. 12 again shows in section a transport system 8a, which corresponds in its basic structure to the transport system 8, but has certain deviations, which are described in more detail below. Shown in FIG. 12 is, inter alia, a vertical support element 53 (for example a circuit board) which is part of a machine frame which is not otherwise shown and to which a horizontal support bar 54 is attached which extends in the transport direction of the transport system 8a, ie perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG that are made of plastic Guide bar 20 carries. The guide bar is formed in two parts and consists of an upper single bar 20 'and a lower single bar 20 ", which are fastened parallel to one another and at a distance from one another on the support bar 54, so that a slot 55 is formed between the two bars, which functions as a vacuum Channel 21 and opens into the vacuum distribution channel 56, which is connected to a vacuum source via at least one channel 57. The endless steel belt 15 to which the holding blocks 17 are fastened is again provided as a transport element To reach in the vertical axis direction, two guide plates 58 are provided, which also extend over the entire length of the guide 20 and are fastened to the top and bottom of the support bar 54 in such a way that each guide plate 58 has an edge region, the upper and lower bar 20 ' or 20 "overlaps and also protrudes somewhat over the guide surface of the guide 20, so that the steel strip 15 and auc h the blocks 1 7 are guided at the top and bottom of a guide plate 58. The blocks 1 7 are also made of plastic. Opposite the guide 20, a counter-guide formed by a circuit board 59 is provided.

In the blocks 1 7, the vacuum pits or vacuum holders 9a are again vertically displaceable and rotatable about their vertical axis. The vacuum holders 9a differ from the vacuum holders 9 essentially in that a slot 60 is provided on the top of the widened head 9a '. This is designed as a cross slot.

The transport path 8a also has an upper guide 61 which engages behind the vacuum holder 9a on the underside of the head 9a '. This guide consists of fixed segments 61 'which are provided where the vacuum holders 9a are to have a certain height, ie are in the raised position, for example. The guide 61 also has movable segments 61 ″, which are provided where a vertical movement of the vacuum holder is necessary, for example at the bending station 10 already described above, at the Measuring station 11, at the buffer station 12, at the transfer to the receiving area 13, at the belt station 13 'shown in FIG. 13 and described in more detail below, and also at the removal station 41.

At the turning station 14, the guide 61 is formed by a fixed segment 61 '. However, at this station, vertically displaceable above the movement path of the heads 9a ', a drive spindle 62, which is rotatable by a drive (not shown in more detail) about the vertical axis of the vacuum holders 9a moving past, is provided, which after being lowered into the slot with a screwdriver-shaped driver 63 60 of the respective vacuum holder 9a located below the spindle 62 engages and then rotates it about the vertical axis by the predetermined angular amount via the drive (not shown).

In order to avoid undesired rotation of the vacuum holder 9a during the movement along the transport route, an additional guide is preferably provided above the guide 61, which has a strip-like projection on the underside corresponding to the driver 63, which protrudes into the slot 61 of the heads 9 'there engages where the spindle 62 is not provided with its driver 63. Since the slot 60 is designed as a cross slot with two individual slots intersecting at an angle of 90 °, the vacuum holder 9a can also be moved further along the conveying path even after it has been rotated through 90 ° or a multiple thereof.

A special feature of the transport path 8a is also that the vacuum holders 9a have a vacuum channel 64 which extends from the top of the head 9a 'to the pipette-shaped lower end of each vacuum holder, and that this channel 64 extends through an insert 65 at the top a transparent or translucent material, for example made of acrylic glass. Belt station 13 ':

In Figure 1 3, the belt station 13 'is shown on the transport route 8a. At this belt station, the components 2 are inserted by lowering the respective vacuum holder 9a into a cup 66 of a belt 67 provided below this vacuum holder, specifically a component 2 in one of the cups which are provided in succession on the belt 67. For this purpose, a segment 61 "of the guide 61 is provided on the belt station 1 3 ', specifically on a slide 68 which is movable in the vertical direction and is moved via a control or rocker arm 69 by a central camshaft 70 which extends over the extends the entire length of the machine, drives still further stations of the machine and is synchronized with the drive for that of the steel belt 15. The slide 61 is the segment 61 "of the guide 61 and also an upper one, which bears against the top of the head 9a and in the slot 60 engaging plunger element 71 moves up and down. The segment 61 "is preferably provided on the slide 68 and the plunger 71 is sprung, so that the plunger 71 is moved downward when the segment 61" is moved downward by the action of the spring and follows the segment 61 "when it is moved upwards. A channel 72 is provided in the plunger 71, which forms the continuation of the channel 64 in the vacuum holder 9a located at the belt station 1 3 '. The two channels 64 and 72 are part of a light path between a light-emitting element 73 (for example an IR light-emitting diode) and a light detector 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the element 73 is located below the path of movement of the belt 67 in such a way that, in the case of a cup 66 and vacuum holder 9a provided at the belt station 1 3 ', the axis of the light beam emerging from the element 73 is coaxial with the axes the channels 64 and 72 is located and this light beam can pass through an opening 75 in the bottom of the respective well 66. The light detector 74 is located at the upper end of the plunger 71. As long as there is a component 2 on the vacuum holder 9a, the light path is interrupted. If, after inserting the component 2 into the belt 67, it is moved further by one division, the light emitted by the element 73 can strike the element 74. With these two signals it is possible to monitor the introduction of the components 2 into the belt 67 to rule out errors.

It goes without saying that the monitoring section formed by the elements 73 and 74 can also be provided in other areas of the transport section 8 or 8a.

FIG. 14 shows, as a further possible embodiment, in a representation similar to FIG. 9, a feed unit 5a for the lead frame 6a, the associated clearance and positioning device 7a and the subsequent transfer path 39.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the lead frame 6a is designed in such a way that the components 2 are provided there in five rows in the lead frame longitudinal direction or feed direction V, i.e. Connect five components 2 to each other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the lead frame.

The punching and positioning device 7a has, similarly to the punching device 7, a punching tool with which the components 2 located at the cutting station or at the cutting position 80 are punched out of the step frame 6a, which is moved forward step by step, again from below with a corresponding punching tool. The peculiarity is that in each work step all components 2 of two groups 81 and 82, which are adjacent to one another in the feed direction V and run transversely to the feed direction V, are simultaneously punched out, that is to say a total of ten components 2 simultaneously in the illustrated embodiment. All components of group 81 are then transferred to the corresponding receiving areas 46 of row B 'with a transfer device 83 and all components of group 82 are transferred to a transfer device 84 implemented together on the corresponding receiving areas 46 of the row A '. For this purpose, each transfer device 83 and 84 has a multiplicity of vacuum holders 35, that is to say five vacuum holders 35 each in the illustrated embodiment, which are arranged in a line perpendicular to the longitudinal extension or feed direction V of the lead frame 6, namely at an axial distance which is equal to that Is the distance which the components 2 in each group 81 and 82 have from one another. The vacuum holders 35 are provided on a slide 85 (transfer device 83) or on a slide 86 (transfer device 84). These slides are located above the plane of the lead frame 6a and are guided on guides in planes parallel to the plane of the lead frame 6a and can be moved by a drive in this plane and transversely to the feed direction V, as shown in FIG. 14 with the double arrow C for the transfer device 83 or its slide 85 and indicated by the double arrow D for the transfer device 84 or its slide 86.

In order to achieve the spreading (increasing the distance) between the groups 81 and 82 required for the further processing of the components or for the machine distance X, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 one of the two slides, namely the slider 85 of the transfer device 83 guided by a cam controller 87 so that with each movement stroke from the starting position above the lead frame 6a or over the cutting position 80 into the transfer position over the transfer path 39, a movement perpendicular to the conveying direction V and at the same time also a lateral movement in one axis runs parallel to the conveying direction V, so that the freely punched components 2 of the group 81 carried with the transfer device 83 are deposited on the transfer path in the row B 'which is at a distance X from the row A'. The distance X is greater than the distance that each component 2 from group 81 has from component 2 from group 82 in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame. In the transfer position, the vacuum holders 35 of the transfer devices 83 and 84 are each arranged above a receiving area 46 of the rows A 'and B'. The carriage 86 of the transfer device 84 is moved linearly in the illustrated embodiment, that is to say in the plane parallel to the lead frame 6a and perpendicular to the feed direction V, in such a way that in the transfer position of the transfer device 84 the components held on the vacuum holders 35 of this transfer device 2 are placed on the free receiving areas of row A 'of the transfer line 39.

The advantage of the embodiment in FIG. 14 includes in that a transfer of a plurality of components 2, i.e. in the illustrated embodiment of a total of ten components 2 is possible in one working stroke from the lead frame 6a to the transfer path 39 and so, inter alia, Even at a given working speed of the feed unit 5a, high performance can be achieved.

The feed unit 5a is particularly suitable for processing lead frames 6a which have a large number of component rows. Such lead frames have the advantage, among other things, that considerable material savings can be achieved in relation to the number of components 2, specifically with regard to the material of the lead frame and, above all, also with respect to that for the housing of components 2 in the so-called "Molding", ie material required for the shapes of the housings of the components 2. Furthermore, a lead frame with a large number of component rows in the longitudinal direction also offers the advantage of improved quality, in particular also in the case of "molding". Reference list

Back-end machine

Component

Plastic housing

Connection, 5a feed unit, 6a lead frame 'edge' perforation, 7a clearance and positioning device, 8a transport section, 9a vacuum holder a 'head 0 bending station 1 measuring station 2 buffer station 3 receiving area 3' belt station 4 turning station 5 steel belt 6 deflection roller 7 block 8 spring 9 Control curve 0 guide railing 0 ', 20 "single bar Vacuum channel

opening

Lead frame feeding

Feed

control

input

Cutting station, 29 cutting position

die

Die opening

Clamping device

Tool

Cutting punch, 35a, 35b vacuum holder

Transfer plate

drive

Axis of rotation

Sorting or transfer route

Posting position

Removal position

Steel band

Pulley

guide

Groove or vacuum channel

Opening or reception area

drive

Blow-off device

Transport plate

opening Vacuum channel

Sliding or guiding body

Support element

Support bar

slot

Distribution channel

Connecting channel

Guide plate

circuit board

slot

Leadership ', 61 "segment

spindle

takeaway

Vacuum channel

commitment

Cell

belt

pusher

rocker arm

camshaft

Pestle

channel

Light transmitter

Light detector

opening

Cutting position, 82 group, 84 transfer device 85, 86 sledge

87 control curve

Claims

Patent claims

. Device for conveying small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably SMDs, with at least one conveying path, which is formed by at least one first transport element (39, 49) and by at least one second transport element (8, 8a), each of which has a plurality of receiving areas (9, 35) for receiving and holding a component (2) and which form a common transfer area at which each component (2) is passed on from a receiving area of one transport element to a receiving area of the other transport element, the receiving areas (9, 35) of one transport element are formed on pipette-like vacuum holders, characterized in that the receiving areas of the other transport element are formed at openings (46, 50) in a transport belt (42) or transport wheel (49) of this transport element, which has a The side opposite the receiving areas rests on a guide (44, 52) which has at least one vacuum channel (45, 51), is movable relative to this and closes the vacuum channel in the area of the guide surface, so that the openings (46, 50) have suction openings for holding the components (2) on the side of the conveyor belt (42) or the transport wheel (49) facing away from the guide (44, 52) with negative pressure.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor belt (42) or the transport wheel (49) forms a flat, horizontal contact surface for the components (2) on the side facing away from the guide (44, 52).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the transport elements each in the conveying direction (F1, F2) in at least a number of receiving areas (8, 46) are provided.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two rows of receiving areas (46) or two conveying areas (A ', B') are formed on at least one transport element.

5. Device for conveying, in particular for feeding, small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably SMDs, in a system for treating these components (2) with a lead frame feed device (23), with a cutting station (27), at least one cutting position (28, 29, 80) for cutting the components (2) out of the lead frame (6, 6a), as well as with a transport system or a conveyor line for the precise further transport of the punched-out components (2) from the at least one cutting position (28, 29, 80), characterized in that the transport system is formed by at least a first transport element (36, 83, 84) and a subsequent second transport element (39), which has at least two conveying areas (A', B'), that on each of the at least two conveying areas (A', B') in the conveying direction (F2) of the second transport element (39) receiving areas (46) for components (2) follow one another, that the at least two conveying areas (A', B') transversely have a predetermined first distance (X) from each other to the conveying direction (F2), and that for processing lead frames (6, 6a), in which the components are arranged in several rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame, the feed (24) of the lead frame feeder (23), the cutting station (27, 80) and at least one transport element (36, 83, 84) are designed and controllable in such a way that components (2) from the device are removed in the work cycles of the device Lead frame (6, 6a) punched out and partially attached to the first and partially to the second by the at least one first transport element (36, 83, 84). Conveying area (A ', B') of the second transport element (39) are transferred, preferably in the same number.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first distance (X) is greater than the distance that the components (2) in the lead frame (6, 6a) have from one another, in the longitudinal direction of the lead frame or in the lead frame transverse direction.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that for processing lead frames (6, 6a), in which the components (2) are arranged in several rows (A, B), which are in the longitudinal direction of the lead Frames (6, 6a), the cutting station (27, 80), the feed (24) of the feed (23) for the lead frame (6, 6a) and the at least one first transport element (36, 83, 84) extend in this way can be controlled so that components (2) of two groups of components (2) are punched out at the at least one cutting position (28, 29, 80) in one work cycle and from the at least one first transport element (36, 83, 84) to one of the respective ones Group assigned conveying area (A ', B') of the second transport element (39) and to the receiving areas (40) there are passed on or implemented, each group of components (2) comprising at least two components which are in the feed direction (V) of the lead -Frame (6, 6a) or follow one another in the direction transverse to the feed direction (V).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the components (2) on the lead frame (6) are arranged in at least two groups of rows (A, B), each of which extends in the feed direction (V), that the cutting station (27) forms a cutting position (28, 29) for each group of rows (A, B), so that the cutting positions (28, 29) are offset from one another in the feed direction (V), and that the feed (24) of the lead frame feed (23), the cutting station (27) and that at least one first transport element (36) can be controlled in such a way that the components of one group of rows (A, B) are delivered in one work cycle the cutting position (28, 29) assigned to this group is punched out as a group of components and from the at least one first transport element (36) to the conveying area (A ', B') of the second transport element (39) assigned to this group and to the receiving areas (46) there. are passed on, and that in each subsequent work cycle the components (2) of a second group of rows (B, A) are punched out as a group of components at the cutting position (28, 29) assigned to this group of rows and from the at least one first transport element (36 ) are passed on to the conveying area (B ', A') of the subsequent second transport element (39) assigned to this second group of rows and to the receiving areas (46) there.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with at least two groups of rows and with at least two rows (2) per group, each cutting position (28, 29) has two cutting tools (31, 34), with the Cutting station (27) and the first transport element (36) each transport at least two components (2) from the cutting position (28, 29) to the conveying area (A', B') corresponding to the respective group of lead frame rows (A, B). ) of the second transport element (39) are passed on.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed stroke of the lead frame (6) generated by the feed (24) of the lead frame feed (23) is freely adjustable or programmable.

1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transport element (36) for receiving the components (2) at the cutting positions (28, 29) and transferring these components (2) to the conveying areas (A ', B' ) of the second transport element has holders, preferably vacuum holders (35), which carry out a predetermined movement stroke between the cutting position and a feed position (40) on the associated conveying area (A ', B').

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holders (35) move on a circular path about a vertical axis (38).

1 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second transport element (39) is designed as a sorting section with a device (48) for removing components (2), for example faulty and / or incorrectly oriented components (2). .

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second transport element is formed by a length of an endlessly rotating belt (42) which has a plurality of openings (46), at least one of which forms a receiving area, and that a length of the belt forming the conveying path of the second transport element in the area of the openings (46) rests against at least one guide (44) with at least one groove-shaped vacuum channel (45), which is connected to a vacuum or negative pressure shaft, so that the belt with its side facing away from the guide forming a receiving area at each opening (46) for holding a component (2) under vacuum.

1 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first transport element (83, 84) when transferring Components (2) on at least one conveying area (A', B) of the second transport element (29) in addition to a transfer movement to a movement in the direction transverse to the two conveying areas (A', B') in order to increase the distance between the components in the lead -Frame (6, 6') to the first distance (X).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each work cycle several components (2) adjoining one another in the direction transverse to the lead frame longitudinal direction as a group of components from the first transport element (36, 83, 84) to a conveying area (A ', B') of the second transport element (39) are transmitted.

1 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one working stroke all components (2) arranged in a row transversely to the lead frame longitudinal axis are punched out of the lead frame and attached to a conveying area (A ', B' ) be transmitted.

18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transport element is formed by at least two transfer devices (83, 84), of which a first transfer device (83) carries the components of a first component group (81), in which the components in Connect the lead frame transverse direction to one another, and the second transfer device (84) connects the components (2) of a second component group (82), in which the components (2) also connect to one another in the lead frame transverse direction, to a first conveying area (B ') or to a second conveying area (A') of the second transport element (39).

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component group (81) and the second component group (83) are offset from one another in the lead frame longitudinal direction, preferably by the distance that two components (2) in the lead frame have from one another in the lead frame longitudinal direction, and that drive and guide means are provided for the transfer devices (83) in order to move them from a starting position at the cutting position (80) into one To move the delivery position on the associated conveying area (A ', B') of the second transport element (39).

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each work cycle the components of the first and second component groups are punched out of the lead frame at the cutting position (80) and with the transfer devices (83, 84) at the respective conveying area (A ', B') are implemented.

21. Device for conveying small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably SMDs, with at least one transport path (8a) formed by a transport element with a plurality of holders for the components (2), preferably designed as vacuum holders (9a), the with Transport element (1 5) preferably clocked along the transport route (8a) moving holders (9a) in the direction of their axis, preferably in a vertical axis, characterized in that the holders (9a) can be rotated about their axis on the transport element (1 5) are provided, and that at least one turning or turning station (14) is formed on the transport route (8a), past which the holders are moved and where a driver (62, 63) actuated by a drive is attached to the respective turning station (14) located holder (9a) can be coupled and actuated to rotate the holder (9a).

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the holders (9a) are each provided at one end with a slot (60) into which the driver intervenes when coupling.

23. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the driver (63) is provided at the end of a drive element (62) which can be rotated by the drive about the axis of the respective holder.

24. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver (63) is provided at one end of a spindle (62).

25. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (60) is a cross slot.

26. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a guide (61) which engages behind the holder (9a), preferably on a head (9a).

27. Device for conveying small components, in particular small electrical components, preferably SMDs, with at least one transport path (8a) formed by a transport element with a plurality of holders designed as vacuum holders (9a) for the components (2), the vacuum holders each has a vacuum channel (64), which forms an opening at one end for holding a component (2) under vacuum, the holder (9a) moving with the transport element (1 5), preferably in a clocked manner along the transport route (8a). Direction of their axis, preferably in a vertical axis, characterized in that on the transport route (8a) at least one testing station which checks the presence or absence of a component on a holder (9a) is provided with a light barrier which consists of a light emitting Element (73), from a light detector (74) and from an intermediate This light path is formed, in which the vacuum channel (64) provided in the holders (9a) is included.

28. The device according to claim 27, characterized in that the vacuum channel (64) is closed at the other end by an insert made of a transparent or translucent material.

29. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that on the movement path of the holder (9a) at least one light-emitting element (73) and a light detector (74) are provided spaced apart from one another on a common optical axis in such a way that for each in The holder (9a) located in the test position is arranged with the axis of its vacuum channel (64) coaxial with the optical axis between the light-emitting element (73) and the light detector (74).

30. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element is a steel band (1 5) which is guided as a closed loop over at least two deflection pulleys or deflection wheels and on which the holders (9a) are provided on the outside in relation to the loop .