US3608892A - Article-handling machine for use with electronic assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A printed circuit card transfer machine comprises a transfer table, an unloading mechanism movable relative to the transfer table, and means for indexing a magazine loaded with printed circuit card assemblies along the transfer table to an unloading position. The transfer table has a top plate with apertures over which the magazine moves. The indexing mechanism is a horizontal frame located under the top plate and having feed teeth extendable upwardly through the apertures to engage the magazine. The feed frame is cycled through a square motion pattern by an oscillatable elevating mechanism and a reciprocating mechanism operated by pneumatic cylinders controlled by pilot valves for sensing the location of the feed frame and the condition of the unload mechanism. Cam means located on the transfer table and the feed frame provide a square motion guide path for the frame to precisely position the feed frame for engaging and holding cardholding channel of the magazine for feeding to the unloading position.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ernest I... Newman Owego, N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 750,226 [22] Filed Aug. 5, 1968 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 ['73] Assignee International Business Machines Corporation Armonk, N.i(.

[54] ARTICLE-HANDLING MACHINE FOR USE WllTll ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

52 us. Cl 271/43 R [51] Int. Cl 1865b 3/24 [50] Field of Search 271/54, 43 R; 198/24, 218; 353/106 [56] Referencm Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,263,559 8/1966 Golden 353/106 2,943,726 6/1960 Granath. 198/135 3,128,800 4/1964 Faerber 198/135 X 2,907,155 10/1959 Engleson et a1 198/24 X 3,144,925 8/1964 Brooke 3,348,653 8/1967 Mills ABSTRACT: A printed circuit card transfer machine comprises a transfer table, an unloading mechanism movable relative to the transfer table, and means lfor indexing a magazine loaded with printed circuit card assemblies along the transfer table to an unloading position. The transfer table has a top plate with apertures over which the magazine moves. The indexing mechanism is a horizontal frame located under the top plate and having feed teeth extendable upwardly through the apertures to engage the magazine. The feed frame is cycled through a square motion pattern by an oscillatable elevating mechanism and a reciprocating mechanism operated by pneumatic cylinders controlled by pilot valves for sensing the location of the feed frame and the condition of the unload mechanism. Cam means located on the transfer table and the feed frame provide a square motion guide path for the frame to precisely position the feed frame for engaging and holding card-holding channel of the magazine for feeding to the unloading position.

PATENTEU SEP28 n91:

SHEET 1 BF 6 SHEET Q UF 6 PMENTEU SEP28 IQYI PATENTED SEP28 12m SHEET 3 OF 6 mm M:

mm 5 S PATENTED SEP28 l97l SHEET lb 0F 6 FIG.

PATENTED SEP28 I971 SHEET 5 BF 6 7- sue FIG.

FIG. 6

ARTICLE-HANDLING MACHINE FOR USE WITH ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to machines for automatically handling articles of manufacture, and particularly to machines for handling the electronic assemblies such as printed circuit cards, or the like, which are loaded into a magazine receptacle.

2. Description of the Prior Art Electronic assemblies for data-processing equipment and other electronic devices comprise printed circuit cards on which are mounted one or more discrete electronic components, such as semiconductor modules, resistors, and capacitors. The cards contain conductive patterns and terminals designed to interconnect components with each other and with components on other cards. A number of separate process steps are usually required to make the assembly and to form the interconnection of the components to the card. Since the processes are performed at separate stations, considerable handling of the cards results.

Various devices have been devised for handling printed circuit cards in which they are individually fed to a work station and then moved on. Such prior art devices have required a great deal of operator attention and volume handling has been somewhat limited. with electronic assemblies becoming increasingly smaller, automatic handling devices have become much more complex and have not always been able to operate with the precision required to assure uninterrupted flow of the work at high volume rates or to initate flow when the demand is made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an articlehandling apparatus which is capable of handling large volumes of work assemblies at high rates with precision operation and which is relatively simple in construction and reliable in operation.

It is a specific object to provide an improved article-handling apparatus for electronic assemblies comprising printed circuit cards to which electronic components are to be mounted.

It is a further object to provide an article-handling device for electronic assemblies which can be incorporated into an automated manufacturing system and which can operate asynchronously if one or more in-line operating stations causes a delay.

The above, as well as other objects, may be obtained in accordance with this invention by providing an article-handling apparatus which comprises a transfer table for slidably supporting a carrier for articles to be handled. A separate indexing means supported by the table intermittently engages the carrier to slidably increment it in steplilte fashion to a transfer position. A transfer mechanism located at the transfer position moves articles relative to the carrier in response to signals from a sense means operated by the incrementing mechanism. Sense means is also provided which determines the condition of the transfer mechanism and initiates the operation of the incrementing mechanism. In the preferred form of the invention, the incrementing mechanism comprises a transport member which is operated in a square motion pattern to intermittently engage the carrier causing it to slide along the transfer table. The square motion mechanism preferably comprises a vertical elevator mechanism and a lateral reciprocating mechanism. The transport member is preferably slidably supported on the elevating mechanism. The reciprocating motion and elevating motion are produced by separate pneumatic operators which are controlled by a pneumatic system activated by sense means which are pneumatic devices. The precise alignment of the carrier at the transfer position is obtained by providing a square motion pattern guide means which, in the preferred form, comprises cam tracks supported by the transfer table and cam followers movable with the transport member. In this manner, large volumes of articles of manufacture, particularly electronic subassemblies, can be readily and speedily handled. The use of pneumatic operator and control devices enable the system to operate asynchronously in performing its transfer operation while the indexing mechanism is easily operated in a cyclical manner.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevation drawing of a printed circuit card transfer machine incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. I with the card magazine removed;

FIG. 3 is a section elevation of the machine of FIGS. ll & 2 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary drawing illustrating the operational positions of the indexing mechanism in the machine of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a motion schematic illustrating the path of motion of the indexing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the pneumatic system for operating the index and unload mechanisms of the transfer machine of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a detail drawing of the magazine for carrying printed circuit card assemblies in row array.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In general, the printed circuit card transfer machine of the present invention comprises a transfer table, an unloading mechanism, and means for indexing a magazine with printed card assemblies along the transfer table to a transfer unloading position. As best seen in FIG. 7, a magazine It) for carrying multiple card assemblies II comprises plural channel members I2 attached to spaced transverse support braces 13. The channel members I2 are parallel and slightly spaced to provide openings for the magazine to be gripped at locations between the braces III by the feed mechanism to be described. The bottoms of the braces l3 are preferably grooved to provide raillilce bearing surfaces I4 to thereby reduce friction while providing firm structural support. The channel members 12 are generally U-shaped with the upper ends bent inwardly to grip a card assembly base member 15 which carries a printed circuit card I6, or the like. In the present application, the card assembly base I5 is a connector having plural contact elements for making electrical contact with conductive land terminals formed proximate the edge of the surfaces of the cards I6 when the card I6 is inserted into the connector. In this manner, the card assembly is readily handled for processing through various successive operations whereby discrete modular semiconductors and other electrical components are connected to the card 16. As illustrated further in FIG. 7, each channel 12 of the magazine It) is preferably loaded with several card assemblies II, thereby providing a means for handling card assemblies in batches while permitting them to be individually processed. Card assemblies I I are loaded into the magazine 10 by sliding the connector base members I5 into the ends of the channels 12. Loading may be done manually or automatically, using the transfer machine of the present invention.

The transfer table for supporting the magazine I0, when loaded with card assemblies 111, comprises a horizontal top plate 117 supported on sets of vertical legs 18 & 19 mounted on a base 2i Slide bars 21 8t 22 are attached between the legs 18 & I9 directly beneath the top plate I7. Means for guiding a magazine 10 as it slides along top plate I7 includes a center guide groove 23 machined into the upper surface of the plate I7 and a set of guide rails I424 & 25 attached to the sides of the table by brackets 26 8t 27 connected to side bars 21 & 22. The support surfaces of groove 23 and guide rails 24 & 25 are coplanar and are spaced to slidably support the magazine by contact with the bearing surfaces 14 on the bottom of the brace 13. The guide rails 24 8c 25 are provided with overhanging flanges 24a & 25a to slidably grip the top of the braces 13 on opposite sides of the magazine 10. These flanges serve to stabilize against shifting and lifting forces during unloading and indexing operations. Openings 28 & 29 in flanges 24a & 25a are provided at a transfer position 30 to allow card assemblies 11 to be moved from magazine 10 to a receiving apparatus 31 which includes a guide channel extension 32. To permit engagement of the magazine 10 by the feed mechanism, two rows of feed apertures 33 & 34 are cut into top plate 17 between groove 23 and guide rails 24 & 25. In the aperture rows 33 & 34, all apertures are uniformly spaced and all are of the same size except the end apertures 35 8c 36 which are much larger.

An unload mechanism located proximate transfer position 30 comprises a pusher block 37 carried by a bearing member 38 slidably mounted on a guide rail 39 located above the top plate 17. Supporting the guide rod 39 at opposite ends are support stands 40 & 41. Support stand 40 is attached to base 10 by a bracket 42. Support stand 41, which is mounted on a support block 43, is connected by bracket 44 to base 20. A second support block 45, in combination with support block 43, holds pneumatic cylinder C3 in position to be connected via position rod 46 to the pusher block 37. The pusher block 37, as best seen in FIGS. 18a 3, has a finger extension 47 on the bottom thereof. The finger extension 47 is dimensioned to permit it to move through the card channels 12 of magazine 10 as the pusher block 37 is advanced along guide rod 39 by piston rod 46 of cylinder C3. Means for sensing operation of the unload mechanism comprises a first pilot valve P2A attached by bracket 48 to stand 41 to be engaged by pusher block 37 when in the home position, and a second pilot valve P33 attached to stand 40 by bracket 49 to be engaged by pusher block 37 when it is extended to its maximum unload position on guide rod 39.

In accordance with this invention the magazine 10, loaded with printed circuit card assemblies 11 arranged in a plurality of rows in channels 12, is slidably indexed along the transfer table such that each row of card assemblies 11 is positioned in line with the pusher block 37 whereby the assemblies 11 are then transferred from the magazine 10 through channel extension 32 to a receiving station 31. The magazine feed mechanism of this invention comprises a horizontal rectangular carriage frame 50 located beneath top plate 17 between the side bars 21 & 22. The frame 50 is preferably a hollow rectangular frame formed of two side and two end pieces in the fashion of a picture frame. Attached to the upper surfaces of the side pieces of frame 50 are two sets of teeth 51 arranged in two parallel rows and spaced uniformly at locations corresponding with the apertures 33-36 in the top plate 17. Thus, each aperture has a corresponding tooth on frame 50, except the end apertures 35 & 36 which have an additional feed tooth 51a. Feed teeth 51 & 51a are spaced on the carriage frame 50 so that they align with spaces between the channels 12 of magazine 10. The feed teeth 51 & 51a in apertures 35 & 36 are also spaced to align with spacings between channel members 12 of magazine 10; however, the spacing of the teeth in these end apertures are further spaced apart so that a magazine having its last channel at transfer position 30 is being held by teeth 51a while a second magazine 10 is held by teeth 51. This assuresthat the first magazine 10 will be positively gripped although most of the channels are emptied and moved past the transfer position.

The carriage frame 50 is supported in horizontal position under top plate 17 by four sectors, 52, 53, 54 and 55 which are part of the elevating mechanism for the frame 50. Sectors 52 & 53 are pivotally mounted at one end of the frame by a rod 56 connected between the mounting blocks 57 & 58 attached to the side bars 21 & 22, respectively. Sectors 54 8t 55 are likewise pivotally mounted by a rod 59 attached to mounting blocks 60 & 61 attached to side bars 21 & 22 near the other end of frame 50. Support to frame 50 is provided solely through cam wheels'62, 63, 64, &'65 carried by the upper arms of the respective sectors 52-55. When in position under top plate 17, frame 50 is engaged by the top of cam wheels 62-65 on the bottom of the side pieces thereof. Contact of cam wheels 62-65 with frame 50 is maintained at all times by brackets 66-69 attached to the side pieces of frame 50. Each bracket 66-69 has a groove 70 to receive the cam wheels 62-65. When in groove 70, the bottom of cam wheels 62-65 bear against the bottom portion 71 of the brackets 66-69. The groove 70 is large enough to permit frame 50 to be reciprocated laterally. With this structure, frame 50 is positively elevated up and down when sectors 52-55 are rotated on rods 56 & 59, thereby imparting quick elevating motion to frame 50. As frame 50 is lowered and raised, its horizontal attitude does not vary. This is achieved by operating sectors 52-55 as a unit. For this purpose, the bottom arms of the sectors 52 & 53 are joined by lateral connector rod 72. Sectors 54 & 55 are joined by lateral connector rod 73 and both lateral rods 72 & 73 are connected by longitudinal connector rod 74 which is joumaled thereto in suitable fashion. Oscillatory motion is imparted to the joined sector elevating mechanism by an actuator rod 75 connected at one end to lateral rod 73 and operated by elevator cylinder C2. Suitable means, such as bracket 76, hold cylinder C2 in pivotal engagement with a crossbar 77 fixed between legs 18 & 19 of the transfer table. Frame 50 is reciprocated horizontally by pneumatic cylinder C1 which is connected by rod 78 to the end piece of frame 50. To permit slight angular motion when frame 50 is being reciprocated cylinder C1 is pivotally connected by bracket 79 attached to vertical mounting block 80 fixed to top plate 17. Longitudinal alignment for frame 50 as it reciprocates is provided by four bearing wheels 81 attached to the side pieces of frame 50 between the ends thereof in such manner that they maintain contact between frame 50 and side bars 2| & 22.

Regulating means for controlling vertical motion of frame 50 includes pilot valves HA and P18 attached by brackets 82 & 84, respectively, to vertical support block 83. A pilot valve operating flange 85 is carried by the end piece of frame 50 and alternately engages pilot valves PIA and PIB. Means for sensing horizontal motion of frame 50 comprises pilot valves P213 and P3A located on opposite sides of the end pieces of frame 50 and are attached by brackets 86 & 87, respectively, to top plate 17.

In handling large quantities of articles, such as printed circuit cards, it is desirable to mount the cards in relatively high density in the magazine 10, as shown in FIG. 7. This requires that the magazine 10 be indexed precisely in line with the unload mechanism and the receiver station at the transfer position 30. For this reason, frame 50 is required to be moved in a very precise square motion pattern. In the present invention, this is very readily accomplished by cam tracks 90, 91, 92, and 93 formed in the interior surfaces of the side bars 21 & 22 of the transfer table within which ride follower cam wheels 94, 95, 96, & 97, respectively, carried by the side pieces of frame 50. In the preferred form each of the side bars has two cam tracks and each of the side pieces of frame 50 have two follower wheels located between the ends of frame 50 to provide total horizontal stability. The cam tracks -93 are shaped in a rectangular form corresponding with the square motion pattern desired and have rounded comers to accommodate the follower wheels 94-97. While the preferred embodiment has the cam tracks 90-93 in the side bars 21 & 22, and the follower wheels 94-97 on the frame 50, this arrangement could readily be reversed. However, the preferred form allows more precise adjustment of the pilot valves PIA, P3A, P18, and P28 relative to the cam tracks 90-93 in the side bars 21 & 22 to assure very precise operation of the pilot valves to control frame motion when the cam wheels 94-96 are in correspondingly related positions.

In accordance with the present invention, the machine described in FIGS. 1-3 is operable cyclically to produce indexing of the magazine Ill but performs in an asynchronous manner insofar as operating to unload card assemblies 11 and in the initiation of the indexing operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the pneumatic system for performing the cyclical and asynchronous control comprises a four-way regulator valve V1 having an inlet connected to an air source SU2 and dual outputs connected through flow control valves FCI and FC2 to the operating ports of double acting air cylinder Cll having a piston 1106 for reciprocating frame 50 in a horizontal direction. One input to valve VI is connected to the output of pilot valve IIB which is closed by flange 85 to connect air source SUI to one side of piston 106 when frame 50 is down. The second input of valve VI is connected to the output of pilot valve PIA and the input of pilot valve P3A, valve PIA being open when flange 85 is in contact therewith (i.e. when frame 50 is up), valve P3A being open when frame 50 is in the feed position.

A second four-way regulator valve V2 having an inlet connection to source SU6 also has dual outlets connected to flow control valves FC3 and FC t to inlet ports of a double-acting cylinder C2 having piston 105 for operating piston rod 75 to oscillate the sector mechanism to elevate and lower frame 50. One input of valve V2 is connected to pilot valve PZB which is closed when frame 50 is out of its unload position. The second input to valve V2 is connected through an impulse relay tilt) to the outlet of pilot valve PZA which is closed when actuated by pusher block 37 in its home position. An impulse relay of the type used here is one which will meter only enough air to actuate the switching mechanism of valve V2 before automatically closing itself to restrict air passage from pilot valve PZA. This allows for switching of the air supply to valve V4 by pilot valve P2B while pilot valve P2A is in the closed condition.

Valve means is also provided to interrelate the operation of frame 50 with the operation of the pusher block 37 and the capacity of receiving station 311 for accepting card assemblies 11. For these purposes, four-way regulator valve V3 has dual outlets connected through oppositely directed one-way check valves 101i and 102 to inputs of the double acting cylinder valve C3 having piston I64 for moving pusher block 37. One input of valve V3 is connected in parallel with valve V1 to the outlet of pilot valve F18. The other input of valve V3 is connected to the outlet of pilot valve 1933 which is closed by pusher block 37 at its ultimate unload position. Connected in parallel with check valve 102 is pilot valve P4 which is operable to connect air source SUE to cylinder C3 to halt the motion of piston rod 36 when closed by a card assembly Ill due to the inability of receiving device 31 to accept further assemblies. A pressure gauge 1103 is connected across check valve Iii]. which reduces the air pressure to cylinder C3 in order to be less than pressure supplied through pilot valve 1P4.

Valve V I, having an inlet connection to air source SUE, has its OFF input connected through impulse relay 1137, of the same type and purpose of impulse relay lltlil, to the outlet of pilot valve P3A and the ON input connected in parallel with valve V3 to the outlet of pilot valve P38. Regulator valve V il, which has one outlet plugged, has theother outlet connected to the input of pilot valve PZA which is closed by pusher block 37 in its home position.

With reference to all Figures, and particularly FIGS. 41-6, the operation of the machine is as follows:

As seen in FIG. 5, operation is initiated by turning on supply air from the air sources SUI-SU3. The air sources may be multiple outlets from a single air pressure unit or may be separate units; but, in any event, the pressure levels for SUI-SUB are substantially the same. With supply air turned on, the machine begins operating immediately in accordance with the condition of the various pilot and regulator valves at the time of shutoff. Assuming the initial position has frame 50 in the unload position, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 4!, and pusher block 37 is in the home position; then the following conditions exist:

1. Pilot valve PIA is closed by flange 33 while pilot valve P3A is closed by frame 30.

Piston I66 of reciprocate cylinder Cl is in position 13, piston M of elevate cylinder C2 is in position A, and piston MM of unload cylinder C3 is in position I-I. Regulator valve V1, therefore, is in position of being switched from L to R so that air from SU2 flows through VI and FC2 to right inlet of cylinder CI holding piston I in position B. Likewise, regulator valve V2 is in position of being switched from R to L so that air from SU6 flowing through V2 and FC3 holds piston I05 in position A. Also, regulator valve V3 will be in condition of being switched from R to L, thereby opening a flow path for air from SU3 through pressure gauge MP3 to left inlet port of C3.

3. Pilot valves PIB, 1P2B, P313, and P6 are open.

. Pilot valve PZA is closed with pusher block 37 in home position; however, air from SUI: is prevented from switching regulator valve V2 since air from SU3 through pilot valves PIA and P3A to impulse relay I07 switches OFF regulator valve V4.

With the control system of FIG. 5 in the above condition, when supply air is turned on, the initial action is for the piston MM of cylinder C3, with air from SU3 through pilot valves PIA and P3A, regulator valve V3 and pressure gauge I63 to advance from position H to U. This opens pilot valve P2A and closes pilot valve P38 when pusher block 37 arrives at the maximum unload position whereby all card assemblies II have been removed from the channel I2 in the transfer position 30. When IP3B is closed by pusher block 37, air from SU tl switches regulator valve V3 from L to R and air from SU3 and pilot valves PIA and P3A flows through check valve 102 to right side of cylinder C3 driving piston 104 from position U to H, and reopens pilot valve P38. At the same time as valve V3 is being switched, air from SUI! turns regulator valve V4 ON thereby supplying air from SU to PZA. When pusher block 37 again returns to home position, pilot valve P2A is closed, and air from SUS operates impulse relay Wt) to supply an air switching pulse to V2 causing it to switch from L to R. This opens V2 for air from SU6 to flow through FC l to the right side of cylinder C2 driving piston I05 from position A to position B. In moving from position A to B, piston I05 through rod 75 rotates sectors 52-55 counterclockwise on rods 56 & 59, thereby causing frame 50 to be pulled down by operation of cam wheels 62-65 on extensions 71 of brackets 66- 69. In dropping, follower cams 94-97 on frame 50 riding in guide tracks 30-93 in side bars 21 8: 22, restrict the downward motion of frame SIB so that teeth 51 and 51a. in apertures 33-36 drop below the top of plate I7. The motion of frame 50 in this just described action corresponds to movement of frame 50 from position AA TO AB in FIG. 6.

In the motion to position AB, pilot valve P3A is retained closed by frame 50, but flange 33 disengages pilot valve PIA and interrupts the air supply from SU3 to C3 through V3 thereby retaining piston MM and pusher block 37 in home position. Pilot valve PIB has now been closed by flange 85. This supplies air from SUI to valve V3 causing it to switch from R to L thereby preconditioning it for unload operation of piston I04 when pilot valves PIA and 1P3A are later closed. This action of PIB also supplies air from SUI to switch regulator valve Vll from R to L causing air from SU2 to flow through VI and PC! to left side of reciprocating cylinder CI pushing piston MP6 from position 8 to A. This action causes frame 50 to slide laterally on cam wheels 62-65 of sectors 52-55. In moving laterally, feed teeth 51]. and 51a also move below magazine I'll within apertures 33-35 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5. This motion corresponds to movement of frame 56 from position AB to position BA of FIG. 6. In moving from position AB to BA, frame Ell is guided by follower cams 94-97 riding in cam tracks 93-93 to the exact location where feed teeth 51 and 51a are aligned with new spaces between channels I2 of magazine 10.

In moving to position BA, pilot valve FIB is retained closed by flange 85. This assures that pressure from SU6 will be retained on piston 105 thereby holding frame 50 in precise location by follower cams 94-97 in tracks 90-93. Also, as a result of this motion, pilot valve P3A is opened and pilot valve P18 is closed. This causes air from SU7 to switch regulator valve V2 from R to L causing air from SU6 to pass through V2 and FC3 to the left side of elevating cylinder C2 driving piston 105 from position B to position A. Thus, the rod 75 rotates sectors 52-55 clockwise and cam wheels 62-65 elevate frame 50 from position BA to BB of FIG. 6, causing teeth 51 and 51a to move upwardly within apertures 33-35 into spaces between channels 12 of magazine 10. In moving from position BA to BB, pilot valve P28 is retained closed. This motion causes flange 85 to release pilot valve P1B, causing it to open. Regulator valve V1, however, continues to remain in switched L position so that air from SU2 continues to apply pressure to piston 106 through rod 78 so that follower cams 94-97 and frame 50 are precisely guided upwardly by tracks 90-93. In moving upwardly, flange 85 then closes pilot valve PIA, causing regulator V1 to be switched from L to R by air from SU3. Pilot valve P3A is still open, thus air from SU3 cannot yet start the unload operation of piston 104. In being switched V1 allows air from SU2 to flow through FC2 to right inlet of cylinder Cl causing piston 106 to move from position A to position B. This action now slides frame 50 on cam wheels 62-65 thereby advancing magazine to bring a new channel 12 with card assemblies 11 to transfer position 30. In moving laterally to the unload position, follower cams 94-97 ride along the upper edge of cam tracks 90-93 and stop the frame 50 at the precise position necessary to align the new channel 12 of magazine 10 with the transfer position 30 to enable pusher block 37 to move precisely in line with the new channel 12. in moving laterally from position BB to AA, frame 50 releases pilot valve PZB thus interrupting air from SU7 to valve V2 thereby releasing V2 for future switching air from SUS. At this time, pilot valve P2A is actually in a closed condition since the pusher block 37 in its home position; however, frame 50 closes pilot valve P3A which switches valve V4 OFF thereby preventing V3 from being switched until after the unload operation is completed. With both PlA and P3A closed, air from SU3 now flows through V3 and pressure gauge 103 to C3 driving piston 104 and pusher block 37 from the home position.

The cycle just described is then repeated until any number of channels are successively advanced to the transfer position for unloading of assemblies 11 to receiver 31 by pusher block 37. it might occur that the receiver 31, which may be another feed mechanism, might cease to operate for some reason affected by conditions at the receiver or the work station where electrical components are being attached to the cards 16. in that event, a pilot valve P4 is closed thereby supplying air from SU8 to right side of the cylinder C3. Check valve 102 blocks air from flowing through V3 toexhaust. Since the air pressure from SU8 is somewhat greater than from SU3, due to reduction in air pressure by gauge 103 piston 104 will be halted and moved back thereby relieving pressure on subassemblies 1 1 by pusher block 37. When the piston 104 is moving back toward position H, reverse check valve 101 opens to relieve back pressure to exhaust. If the stoppage persists, it is possible for the piston to return to position H. This would cause pusher block 37 to close pilot valve P2A; but, since V4 is still OFF, no operation of C2 can occur. When the jam condition is cleared,

P4 opens and interrupts air from SU8. Since air from SU3 continues to flow through V3, the pressure in piston C3 now moves piston 104 from position H to advance pusher block 37 to the point where unloading of assemblies 11 continues. Thus, the unloading operation may be interrupted or stopped any number of times during the operation of the machine described. However, the incrementing operation following unloading operation is cyclically performed rapidly and with precision to assure volume rate handling of electronic assemblies, or the like.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for handling articles of manufacture comprismg:

a transfer table for supporting a carrier for articles of manufacture;

means located at a' transfer position for transferring articles relative to a carrier supported by said table;

means supported by said table for slidably indexing a carrier thereon for locating articles at said transfer position,

said indexing means comprising a transport member engageable with a carrier slidably supported on said table and means for intermittently operating said transport member to slidably increment a carrier along said table to said transfer position;

said intermittently operating means comprising means for moving said transport member in a square motion pattern including means for elevating said transport member vertically into and out of engagement with a carrier on said table and means for laterally reciprocating said transport member relative to said transfer table;

means for precisely aligning a carrier at said transfer position including square motion guide means for said transport member;

sensing means operated by said indexing means for stopping the sliding movement of said indexing means thereby placing the carrier at the transfer position; and

means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said transfer means to effect the transfer of articles relative to a carrier positioned at said transfer position.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said guide means comprises a rectangular guide track on said transfer table; and

follower means on said transport member movable along said guide track.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said transfer means includes a pneumatic transfer operator and said pneumatic system includes means responsive to signals from said sense means for initiating operation of said pneumatic transfer operator.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, which further comprises pneumatic means operable in response to a jam condition in the flow of articles during transfer operation for interrupting the operation of said pneumatic transfer operator.

Claims (4)

1. Apparatus for handling articles of manufacture comprising: a transfer table for supporting a carrier for articles of manufacture; means located at a transfer position for transferring articles relative to a carrier supported by said table; means supported by said table for slidably indexing a carrier thereon for locating articles at said transfer position, said indexing means comprising a transport member engageable with a carrier slidabLy supported on said table and means for intermittently operating said transport member to slidably increment a carrier along said table to said transfer position; said intermittently operating means comprising means for moving said transport member in a square motion pattern including means for elevating said transport member vertically into and out of engagement with a carrier on said table and means for laterally reciprocating said transport member relative to said transfer table; means for precisely aligning a carrier at said transfer position including square motion guide means for said transport member; sensing means operated by said indexing means for stopping the sliding movement of said indexing means thereby placing the carrier at the transfer position; and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said transfer means to effect the transfer of articles relative to a carrier positioned at said transfer position.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said guide means comprises a rectangular guide track on said transfer table; and follower means on said transport member movable along said guide track.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which said transfer means includes a pneumatic transfer operator and said pneumatic system includes means responsive to signals from said sense means for initiating operation of said pneumatic transfer operator.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, which further comprises pneumatic means operable in response to a jam condition in the flow of articles during transfer operation for interrupting the operation of said pneumatic transfer operator.

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