GB2214170A - Dispensing electrical components from bandolier - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-contained parts presentation system that allows radial style bandoliered components 3, 6 to be cut to a specific pitch and held rigidly for either hand or robotic insertion into a printed circuit board assembly. Solenoid 13 indexes wheel 14 against panel 15 to move a component to presentation station. IR sensors 1, 4, use the absence or presence of a part; up to 32 units may be used in parallel, and the sensor outputs are fed to a microprocessor which also is used to detect "low parts on reel" and activates a display unit for system monitoring. <IMAGE>

Description

Parts Presentation System This invention relates to a Parts Presentation System.

A Parts Presentation System is mainly used for presenting radial style bandoliered components to a robot for insertion into a printed circuit board.

Parts Presentation Systems are relatively expensive and are therefore traditionally restricted to robotic solutions.

This appications style of unit is not only suitable for robotic systems but can also be used for hand assembly as the unit is completely self-contained.

This invention is completely self-contained needing only a standard 240V 13 Amp power source. The unit has a limited number of moving parts in order to reduce maintenance. The unit also contains many safety features, retry, low and empty component indicators. Finally the unit cuts the component leads to length and holds the components ready for insertion, hence reducing the actual insertion time.

A specific embodim#i#t of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows a cut-away view of a double unit showing the taped components in place and the solenoid actuating method. This view excludes the reels of components fixed to the rear of the units and the control system.

Figure 2 shows the method of fixing two reels to the rear of the unit and the principle of how "low components on reel" are detected. It also illustrates how thin the overall unit actually is.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram for the operation of the system.

Figure 4 shows the simple method of connecting the scan, controller unit with the presentation units and the transmission of PPU status to a host computer.

Radial components on reels -(17 & 19 Fig 2) are fed into the unit to the relevant drive sprocket/forming wheels (3a & 6a Fig 1). When the solenoid is energised (13 Fig 1) it will actuate and move the indexing wheel (14 Fig 1) through one pitch located accurately by the spring loaded pawl (15 Fig 1). The now cut component (3 & 6 Fig 1) remains held in place for either robot or hand removal. The infra red sensors (1 & 4- Fig 1) then sense no component and re-actuate the solenoid hence repeating the cycle.

The control system is particularly unique in that a one off power supply unit and scan control unit is capable of controlling any number, upto 32 Parts Presentation Units.

The power supply accepts 120 or 240V ac at 50 to 60 Hz and then supplies DC to operate the solenoids, scan control unit and the individual transceiver boards (21 Fig 2) on each PPU.

The transceiver board is an integral part of each PPU and interfaces the mechanics with SCU. The SCU knows which PPU it is linked to at any one time as each presenter is given a unique address by means of two thumb wheels on each.

The scan control unit sequentially scans each PPU giving the status of each and indexing any solenoid where it finds a component not in place.

A single or double PPU (as shown in Fig 1) is only 3 inches wide therefore 16 double units can fit into less than 50 inches of robotic table or bench space.

Each PPU has a removeable cover, sensed by the SCU which immediately disables that unit. This allows access to the complete mechanism for maintenance or to change the forming wheel for different pitch requirements. The two switches (9 & 11 Fig 1) are divided one for each PPU and are used to:1. Enable that PPU to be controlled by the SCU.

2. Disable that PPU so that it is not controlled by the SCU.

3. Index the solenoid once for each depression of the switch to feed the bandolier. While this is being done the PPU is automatically disabled from the SCU.

Sensors on the reels (16 & 18 Fig 2) are used to detect when a reel is getting low on components. An indication is then made on the actual PPU and also SCU. This allows a new reel to be spliced into the old tape eliminating the need to remove the cover and preventing a "no part" situation.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. The PPS will cut radial type components to any desired lead length off standard bandoliers, staighten and reform the leads to a desired pitch and hold the cut component ready for insertion.

2. The PPS as in Claim 1 will sense when the component has been removed from the system and automatically operates the solenoid to present the next component.

3. The sensor as in Claim 2 will automatically detect a missing component on the reel and re-operate the solenoid for a second time. If after two attemps no component is seen then that particular unit shuts down, indicating this on the PPU and Scan Control Unit.

4. The SCU as in Claim 3 will control and monitor up to 32 single or 16 double PPU's or a combination of single and double PPU's upto 32 in total.

5. The PPS as in Claim 1 has an easily removeable cover guard with an integral safety switch which disables the PPU when the cover is removed.

6. Each PPU as in Claim 1 can hold one complete reel of components with a low component warning sensor incorporated.

7. The PPS as in Claim 1 is completely self-contained needing only one standard 13A socket for upto 32 units, eliminating the need for an air supply.

8. A Parts Presentation system substantially as described herein with reference to figure 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.