JP2018016432A - Workpiece shaking-in mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workpiece shaking-in mechanism capable of easily housing a prescribed number of two or more workpieces in the recesses of an alignment member, respectively and capable of reducing damage affected to the workpiece.SOLUTION: A workpiece shaking-in mechanism comprises: (a) an alignment member 20 having a first principal plane 20a disposed upward in a gravity direction and a second principal plane 20b disposed downward in the gravity direction, forming on the first principal plane 20a, plural recesses 22 capable of simultaneously housing two or more workpieces, respectively, and having air permeability between the first principal plane 20a and the inner face 23 of the recess 22, and the plane 20b; (b) an air supply part 16 forming a space 16s facing the plane 20b of the member 20; and (c) a swinging mechanism swinging the member 20 so that the first principal plane 20a of the member 20 inclines. The workpiece is floated from the first principal plane 20a of the member 20 and the inner face 23 of the recess 22 by supplying air in the space 16s of the air supply part 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a workpiece transfer mechanism, and more particularly, to a workpiece transfer mechanism that transfers a workpiece into a recess of an alignment member.

  A technique is known in which a plurality of workpieces are placed on the upper surface of an alignment member in which a plurality of recesses are formed, the alignment members are tilted to move the workpieces, and the workpieces are swung into the recesses of the alignment members for alignment.

  For example, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a workpiece transfer mechanism. FIG. 7 is a front view of the workpiece transfer mechanism. As shown in FIG. 6, this workpiece transfer mechanism has a recess into which a workpiece is inserted on the upper surface of the alignment member 1 mounted on the table 2. On both sides of the alignment member 1, stacking portions 2 a and 2 b for receiving workpieces are arranged. The stacking units 2a and 2b are supported by the table 2 via the lifting and lowering means 3a and 3b. The elevating means 3a and 3b operate based on the outputs of the sensors 4a and 4b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the workpiece is transferred into the concave portion of the alignment member 1, the table 2 is tilted, and the elevating means 3 a and 3 b expand and contract in conjunction with the tilt of the table 2. The work can be easily reversed by breaking the balance at the level difference 6 between the upper stacking portions 2a and 2b and the table 2 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-72528

  When individual workpieces are taken out in a specific posture using the alignment member, the alignment member is usually prepared for each workpiece size. Next, the transfer condition is determined, and the workpiece is aligned with the alignment member. When aligning, the alignment member may be tilted and simultaneously the vibration may be applied to the alignment member. The workpiece moves on the alignment member due to inclination or vibration. For example, the swinging operation of tilting the alignment member left and right is repeated. There is a case where only one swing is required, and there is a case where the workpiece does not enter the concave portion of the alignment member unless the swing is repeated many times.

  When the workpieces are received in the concave portions of the alignment member by repeated swinging operations and inserted into almost all the concave portions of the alignment member, the transfer of the workpieces is completed.

  As described above, when the alignment member is swung and the workpiece is swung into the concave portion of the alignment member, the workpieces collide with each other during the swinging operation and damage the workpiece. When the workpiece is swung into the alignment member only by the swinging motion, the workpiece and the jig are slid and the workpiece is damaged. When one workpiece is transferred to each of the recesses of the alignment member, the number of swings increases until the transfer is completed depending on conditions, and the workpiece is easily damaged by performing the swing operation many times.

  When manufacturing an electronic component, it may be desired to divide a large number of workpieces into a predetermined number or less and transport them to the next process. In that case, the structure which accommodates two or more workpiece | work in the recessed part of an alignment member can be considered.

  However, when such an alignment member swings the alignment member, the workpiece exceeding the predetermined number is accommodated in the recess, and the workpiece does not move from the recess or exceeds the predetermined number on the workpiece accommodated in the recess. May accumulate. It is not easy to accommodate a predetermined number of workpieces of two or more in the recesses of the alignment member.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a workpiece transfer mechanism that can easily store up to a predetermined number of workpieces of two or more in the recesses of the alignment member and can reduce damage to the workpiece. It is.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a workpiece transfer mechanism configured as follows.

  The workpiece transfer mechanism has (a) a first main surface arranged upward in the gravitational direction and a second main surface arranged downward in the gravitational direction, and two at the same time on the first main surface. (B) an alignment member formed with a plurality of recesses capable of accommodating the above workpieces, and having air permeability between the first main surface and the inner surface of the recess and the second main surface; ) A gas supply unit that forms a space facing the second main surface of the alignment member; and (c) a rocking member that swings the alignment member so that the first main surface of the alignment member is inclined. A moving mechanism.

  In the above configuration, when the gas is supplied to the space of the gas supply unit, the gas is ejected from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the concave portion, whereby the first of the alignment member. The workpiece is floated from the main surface of 1 and the inner surface of the recess.

  In the above configuration, when a plurality of workpieces are supplied to the first main surface of the alignment member and the alignment member is rocked by the rocking mechanism, when gas is supplied to the space of the gas supply unit, Each of them can easily accommodate two or more workpieces.

  According to the above configuration, the workpieces exceeding the predetermined number accommodated in the recesses of the alignment member can be easily moved from the recesses by the gas ejected from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surfaces of the recesses. Moreover, since another workpiece | work can move easily on the workpiece | work accommodated in the recessed part, a workpiece | work does not pile up easily on the workpiece | work accommodated in the recessed part. As a result, it is possible to easily accommodate two or more predetermined workpieces in the recesses of the alignment member.

  Moreover, the damage of a workpiece | work can be reduced by making a workpiece | work float by the gas which blows off from the 1st main surface of an alignment member, and the inner surface of a recessed part. That is, since the frictional resistance is reduced and the workpiece is easily moved, the swing angle of the alignment member can be reduced. As a result, workpiece damage can be reduced. When the work is floated by the gas ejected from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess, damage to the work due to rubbing with the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess can be reduced. When the work is floated by the gas ejected from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess, the work transport resistance is reduced, so the work is easy to move, so the collision energy is dispersed as kinetic energy, and the rocking motion It is possible to reduce damage caused by collisions between workpieces due to the inclination of the time or collisions when the workpieces fall into the recesses of the alignment member.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes a vibration exciter that applies fine vibration to the alignment member.

  In this case, by giving a slight vibration to the alignment member using a vibrator, it is possible to separate the workpieces that are adjacent to each other and are in contact with each other, so that a predetermined number of workpieces can be placed in the recesses of the alignment member. It becomes easier to accommodate. In addition, the inclination angle of the alignment member can be made gentler, and damage to the workpiece can be further reduced.

  Note that the slight vibration is a vibration that is small enough that the work housed in the concave portion of the alignment member does not come out of the concave portion.

  Preferably, the material of the alignment member is at least one of a nonwoven fabric, a sintered metal, and a porous ceramic.

  In this case, it is easy to produce an alignment member having air permeability.

  The present invention also provides a workpiece transfer method configured as follows.

  The workpiece transfer method includes: (i) a first and second main surface, and a plurality of recesses capable of simultaneously accommodating two or more workpieces are formed on the first main surface; An alignment member having air permeability between the main surface of 1 and the inner surface of the recess and the second main surface, wherein the first main surface is upward in the gravitational direction, and the second main surface is in the gravitational direction. A first step of supplying a plurality of workpieces to the first main surface, and (ii) the alignment member supplied with the workpieces, the first main surface being horizontal. And the gas is supplied to the second main surface side of the alignment member to blow out the gas from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess. A second step of accommodating the workpiece in the recess of the alignment member. The shape of the workpiece is a rectangular parallelepiped.

  The shape of the rectangular parallelepiped workpiece is a rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and has a large side frictional resistance. For this reason, the workpieces exceeding the predetermined number accommodated in the recesses of the alignment member are difficult to move only by swinging the alignment member, and when the alignment member is tilted, the workpieces are easily stacked in the recesses. Therefore, when the alignment member is swung, gas is blown out from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess.

  According to the above configuration, the workpieces exceeding the predetermined number entering the concave portions of the alignment member are easily moved from the concave portions, and it is easy to accommodate the predetermined number of workpieces in the concave portions of the alignment member. In addition, work damage can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, by allowing gas to blow out from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess, it is possible to easily accommodate up to a predetermined number of workpieces of two or more in the recess of the alignment member. Can reduce the damage to the workpiece.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of the workpiece transfer mechanism. Example 1 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the workpiece transfer mechanism. Example 1 FIG. 3 is a plan view of an essential part of the alignment member. Example 1 FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the behavior of the workpiece. (Example 1, Comparative Example 1) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the workpiece transfer mechanism. (Example 2) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the workpiece transfer mechanism. (Conventional example 1) FIG. 7 is a front view of the workpiece transfer mechanism. (Conventional example 1)

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  <Example 1> The workpiece transfer mechanism 10 of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of the workpiece transfer mechanism 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the workpiece transfer mechanism 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the alignment member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 is configured such that an alignment member 20 in which a plurality of recesses 22 are formed is swung by swinging mechanisms 11x and 11y.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the alignment member 20 has a first main surface 20 a disposed upward in the gravitational direction and a second main surface 20 b disposed downward in the gravitational direction. The first main surface 20a of the alignment member 20 is formed with a plurality of recesses 22 that can simultaneously store two or more workpieces. The alignment member 20 has air permeability between the first main surface 20a and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22 and the second main surface 20b.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the recess 22 has a ship-bottom cross section, and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22 includes a bottom surface 23a parallel to the first main surface 20a, a bottom surface 23a, and a first main surface 20a. And an inclined surface 23b connecting the two. The bottom surface 23a and the inclined surface 23b form an obtuse angle. Moreover, the inclined surface 23b and the main surface 20a make an obtuse angle. The connecting portion between the bottom surface 23a and the inclined surface 23b and the vicinity thereof, and the connecting portion between the inclined surface 23b and the main surface 20a and the vicinity thereof may be formed into a smoothly curved curved surface. The bottom surface 23a and the inclined surface 23b may be a plane or a phase.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the recesses 22 is formed so as to accommodate a plurality (two in FIG. 3) of workpieces 50. The dimensions, planar shape, cross-sectional shape, arrangement pattern, and the like of the recesses 22 are determined according to the shape and dimensions of the workpieces 50, the predetermined number of workpieces 50 accommodated in the recesses 22, and the like. The planar shape of the recess 22 may be other than a rectangle, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, or a polygon. The arrangement pattern of the recesses 22 may be other than the lattice pattern, such as a staggered pattern or a honeycomb pattern.

  The alignment member 20 is made of a gas-permeable material so that gas can pass through the inside 20 s of the alignment member 20 from the second main surface 20 b to the first main surface 20 a and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22. Make it. For example, when a nonwoven fabric, a sintered metal, or a porous ceramic is used, the alignment member 20 can be easily manufactured. The alignment member 20 may be manufactured by combining two or more breathable materials.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the alignment member 20 is attached to the flange portion 17 of the first swing member 16. The alignment member 20 is pressed by the frame member 18 along the outer periphery of the first main surface 20 a of the alignment member 20, and is fixed between the flange portion 17 of the first swing member 16 and the frame member 18.

  The first rocking member 16 forms a space 16s facing the second main surface 20b of the alignment member 20, and is an air supply unit of the present invention. One end of the pipe 15 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the lower portion 16b of the first swing member 16 so that it does not come off when the first swing member 16 swings. The other end of the pipe 15 is connected to, for example, a blower or a pressure vessel, and can supply gas to the space 16s of the first swing member 16 as indicated by an arrow 15x.

  In the first swing mechanism 11y, the first swing member 16 is supported by the frame-like second swing member 14 so as to be swingable about the Y axis, and by the rotation of the Y axis motor 19y, As shown by an arrow 16y, the first swing member 16 is configured to rotate about the Y axis and change its inclination.

  The second swing mechanism 11x is supported between a support 12a and 12b fixed to the base of the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 so that the second swing member 14 can swing about the X axis. The rotation of the shaft motor 19x causes the second swing member 14 to rotate about the X axis as indicated by an arrow 14x, so that the inclination changes.

  Next, a procedure for transferring up to a predetermined number of workpieces to the recesses 22 of the alignment member 20 using the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 will be described.

  First, a plurality of workpieces are supplied onto the first main surface 20a of the alignment member 20. At this time, it is preferable to hold the first main surface 20a of the alignment member 20 horizontally so that the workpiece does not spill over the frame member 18.

  Next, a gas (for example, air) is supplied to the space 16 s of the first rocking member 16, and the gas ejected from the first main surface 20 a of the alignment member 20 and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22 is changed to the first of the alignment member 20. The work on the main surface 20a of 1 is floated.

  At this time, the motors 19x and 19y of the swing mechanisms 11x and 11y are appropriately rotated to swing the alignment member 20, and the alignment member 20 is moved by tilting the alignment member 20 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The work is accommodated in the concave portion 22 of the above.

  For example, by rotating the X-axis motor 19x, the alignment member 20 is inclined rearward, and the workpiece is filled into the recess 22 while the workpiece is fed rearward. After a certain period of time, the X-axis motor 19x is rotated in the reverse direction, the alignment member 20 is tilted forward, the workpiece is accommodated in the recess 22 while being fed forward, and the workpiece not accommodated in the recess 22 is accommodated. Are moved to the retreat area 20x where the front concave portion 22 is not formed.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the behavior of the workpiece when the alignment member 20 is tilted.

  If the 1st main surface 20a of the alignment member 20 inclines as shown to Fig.4 (a), the workpiece | work 51-53 will move to the direction shown by the arrows 81-83, respectively with gravity. The work 53 is a work pushed out from an adjacent pocket. If the force of the workpiece 51 dropping is greater than the force of the workpiece 52 dropping, the workpiece 51 remains in the recess 22.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the work 53 falls and comes into contact with the work 52, and the sum of the force of dropping the work 52 and the work 53 becomes larger than the force of dropping the work 51, the work 51 is pushed out.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the force of dropping the work 52 is larger than the force of dropping the work 53, the work 52 remains in the recess 22.

  Due to such behavior, a predetermined number of workpieces (two in FIG. 4) are accommodated in the recess 22.

  On the other hand, FIGS. 4 (x) to 4 (z) show Comparative Example 1 in which there is no mechanism for floating the work by the gas ejected from the first main surface 20 a of the alignment member 20 and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (x), even if the workpieces 52 and 53 accommodated in the recess 22 of the alignment member 20 move in the direction indicated by the arrow 92, the frictional resistance between the workpiece 51 and the alignment member 20 is large. The work 51 remains in the recess 22 without being pushed out as indicated by the arrow 51.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (y), when another workpiece 64 falls, the workpiece 61 serves as a stopper, and the workpieces 64 are stacked one after another.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (z), when the workpiece 64 is stacked up to a certain height, the stacked workpiece collapses in the direction indicated by the arrow 93.

  The workpiece transfer mechanism 10 tilts the alignment member 20 in a state where the workpiece is floated by the gas ejected from the first main surface 20a of the alignment member 20 and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22, and slowly moves the workpiece in a certain direction. Two or more predetermined pieces of workpieces can be easily accommodated in the recesses 22 of the alignment member 20.

  That is, it is possible to easily move the workpieces exceeding the predetermined number accommodated in the recesses 22 of the alignment member 20 from the recesses 22 by the gas ejected from the first main surface 20 a of the alignment members 20 and the inner surface 23 of the recesses 22. it can. Moreover, since another workpiece | work can move easily on the workpiece | work accommodated in the recessed part 22, a workpiece | work does not pile up on the workpiece | work accommodated in the recessed part 22 easily. As a result, it is possible to easily accommodate up to two or more predetermined workpieces in the recesses 22 of the alignment member 20.

  Further, the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 can reduce damage to the workpiece. In other words, by floating the work by the gas, the frictional resistance is reduced and the work becomes easy to move, so the swing angle of the alignment member 20 can be reduced. As a result, workpiece damage can be reduced. Moreover, the damage of the workpiece | work by the friction with the 1st main surface 20a of the alignment member 20 and the inner surface 23 of the recessed part 22 can be reduced. Moreover, since the conveyance resistance of a workpiece | work becomes small, damage by the collision when the workpiece | work collides by the inclination at the time of rocking | fluctuation operation | movement, a workpiece | work falls in the recessed part 22 of the alignment member 20, etc. can be reduced.

  Note that the gas supply and the swinging of the alignment member may be started simultaneously, or the gas supply may be started after the start of the swinging of the alignment member. The supply of gas and the swinging of the alignment member may be temporarily interrupted.

  Next, after the gas supply is stopped, the alignment member is returned to the horizontal position, and the workpieces accommodated in the concave portions of the alignment member are conveyed to the next step. In addition, you may convey the workpiece | work accommodated in each recessed part of the alignment member to the next process in the state where the alignment member is not horizontal.

  Next, a specific example will be described.

  The shape of the work is a rectangular parallelepiped, and the size is several hundred μm square at the end face and several hundreds μm in the longitudinal dimension.

  The alignment member 20 is a rectangle (square or rectangle) having a thickness of about 10 mm and a square of about 200 mm. The number of recesses 22 is 144 (12 rows × 12 columns) to 1521 (39 rows × 39 columns). The alignment member 20 is a non-woven fabric, a sintered metal (including metal fibers and a porosity of 40 to 80%), and a porous ceramic (alumina having a porosity of 25%). The recess 22 of the alignment member 20 is formed by pressing or cutting.

  The maximum angle at which the alignment member 20 is tilted from the horizontal for workpiece transfer is adjusted according to the workpiece size and the number of workpieces transferred per recess, but is, for example, 7 ° or more and 18 ° or less.

  As described above, the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 according to the first embodiment can easily store up to a predetermined number of two or more workpieces in the recesses 22 of the alignment member 20, and can enter the recesses of the alignment member. Can be controlled to a predetermined number or less. Further, the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 can reduce workpiece damage by floating the workpiece with the gas ejected from the first main surface 20 a of the alignment member 20 and the inner surface 23 of the recess 22.

  In particular, when the shape of the workpiece is a rectangular parallelepiped, the frictional resistance of the side surface is large, so that the workpiece exceeding the predetermined number accommodated in the concave portion of the alignment member is difficult to move and the alignment member is inclined only by swinging the alignment member. When the work is done, it is easy to pile up in the recess. When the alignment member is swung, if the work is floated by blowing gas from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess, the workpieces exceeding the predetermined number in the recess of the alignment member move from the recess. It becomes easy and it becomes easy to accommodate a predetermined number of workpieces in the recesses of the alignment member. In addition, work damage can be reduced.

  <Example 2> A workpiece transfer mechanism 10a of Example 2 in which a vibration exciter 30 is added to the workpiece transfer mechanism 10 of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the workpiece transfer mechanism 10a. As shown in FIG. 5, the vibrator 30 is attached to the first swing member 14. The vibration exciter 30 may be attached to the first rocking member 16 or the columns 12a and 12b other than the first rocking member 14, for example.

  The vibrator 30 applies slight vibrations to the alignment member 20, that is, vibrations that are small enough to prevent the work housed in the recess 22 of the alignment member 20 from coming out of the recess 22. The type of vibrator 30 (method for generating vibration) and vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude, vibration waveform, etc.) can be selected as appropriate. For example, an air vibrator or an ultrasonic vibrator is used as the vibrator 30.

  By giving a slight vibration to the alignment member 20 using the vibrator 30, the workpieces that are adjacent to each other and overlap each other can be separated from each other. It becomes easier to accommodate. Moreover, the inclination angle of the alignment member 20 can be made more gentle, and damage to the workpiece can be further reduced.

  <Summary> As described above, by allowing gas to blow out from the first main surface of the alignment member and the inner surface of the recess, it is possible to easily carry out a work up to a predetermined number of two or more in the recess of the alignment member. Can be accommodated in the housing, and damage to the workpiece can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications.

  For example, the air supply unit may be provided separately from the member that holds the alignment member. A gap is provided between the second main surface of the alignment member and the air supply unit, and only a part of the gas supplied from the space of the air supply unit toward the second main surface of the alignment member is included in the alignment member. You may comprise so that it may eject from the 1st main surface of an alignment member and the inner surface of a recessed part through the inside.

10, 10a Workpiece transfer mechanism 11x, 11y Oscillation mechanism 16 First oscillation member (air supply unit)
16s space 20 alignment member 20a first main surface 20b second main surface 22 recess 23 inner surface 30 vibrator 50-53, 61-64 work

Claims (4)

A first main surface arranged upward in the gravitational direction and a second main surface arranged downward in the gravitational direction, each of which accommodates two or more workpieces simultaneously in the first main surface; A plurality of recesses that can be formed, and the first main surface and the inner surface of the recess and the second main surface have air permeability, an alignment member;
A gas supply unit that forms a space facing the second main surface of the alignment member;
A swing mechanism for swinging the alignment member such that the first main surface of the alignment member is inclined;
A workpiece transfer mechanism characterized by comprising:   The work transfer mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration exciter that applies fine vibration to the alignment member.   The workpiece transfer mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material of the alignment member is at least one of a nonwoven fabric, a sintered metal, and a porous ceramic. A plurality of recesses having first and second main surfaces and capable of simultaneously accommodating two or more workpieces are formed on the first main surface, and the first main surface and the recesses An alignment member having air permeability between an inner surface and the second main surface is disposed such that the first main surface is upward in the gravitational direction and the second main surface is downward in the gravitational direction, A first step of supplying a plurality of workpieces to the first main surface;
The alignment member to which the work is supplied is swung so that the first main surface is inclined from the horizontal, and gas is supplied to the second main surface side of the alignment member, so that the alignment member A second step of accommodating the workpiece in the recess of the alignment member while blowing out the gas from the first main surface and the inner surface of the recess;
With
The workpiece transfer method, wherein the workpiece has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Images