GB1274267A - Methods of and apparatus for handling miniature articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,274,267. Rotary conveyers for ferrite cores and semi-conductors. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. 13 Aug., 1969, No. 40474/69. Heading B8A. [Also in Division H1] Ferrite cores, semi-conductor chips &c. are fed by a vibrating feed bowl 50 to a pickup station 320 where they are received in the suction pockets of a rotor 80, each pocket repeatedly engaging the cores as it is indexed to the station so that all pockets are filled, each with a single respective core, the cores then being transported by the rotor to a testing station. Each pocket is defined by a radial passage defined (as shown most clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 7) by respective radial slots 232 in an annular plate 196. These are covered on the upper side of the plate 196 by an unslotted annular plate 200, and on its under-side by an annular plate 194. The latter is formed with the slot-like recesses 220 which register with the slots 232 but do not open into the periphery of the plate 194. They open into the centre 214 which connects with a source of vacuum. Thus a single core only, can be retained at the periphery of each slot 232 (Figs. 4 and 5). As the cores are carried round by the rotor 80, a probe 281 respective to each slot 232, is lowered by the action of a cam 78. The latter acts on heads 294, each carried by a member 282 carrying a respective probe 281 and normally upwardly biased by a spring 298. The probe enters the interior of the annular core and reacts with contacts 344, 346, 348 and 350 (Fig. 5) thereby testing the core in a desired manner. The cores are then successively discharged, as the rotor 80 proceeds, either into a conduit 102 if the result of the test is satisfactory, or otherwise into a conduit 96. The conduit 102 leads into a container (90), (Fig. 6, not shown).