Abstract: This invention is a visual inspection machine for a surface mount passive component (chip) made up of a rotating circular loader wheel inclined to the horizontal and including an upper exposed wheel surface against which an inventory of chips is placed for loading and a rim in which a plurality of cavities, of a size and shape to accept a single chip therein in an upright position, are formed, each cavity defined by a pair of spaced-apart cavity side walls, a rear cavity wall, and having a corner chamfer leading down thereinto from the wheel surface located on the side wail of the cavity in the direction of rotation of the loader wheel, a first vacuum station connected to the loader wheel for providing vacuum power in each cavity for retaining each chip in a cavity for a first inspection, a first inspection station, external the loader wheel, for viewing a first side surface of the chip during its location in the cavity on the loader wheel, a transfer wheel defined by an outer marginal edge, the wheel arrange

Abstract: An improved chip termination or application wheel for applying a layer of silver paste to the edge or end of a chip including a wheel that is defined by a broad circumferential surface, for contact with the chip, the surface containing an increased surface area for accepting a larger amount of termination paste for transfer to the edge of a chip.

Abstract: A machine for terminating a computer chip with one or more stripes of a solderable paste, comprising a feed plate wheel defined by an outer marginal edge and having an upper exposed plate surface inclined to the horizontal against which an inventory of 3-dimensional chips is placed for loading, at least one narrow groove formed in the exposed plate surface directed outwardly toward the marginal edge wall and arranged to pass through the inventory and receive therein at least one of the chips in restricted orientation, a transfer cavity defined by enclosed side walls and a floor depending from the groove inboard the outer marginal edge for receipt therein of a chip from the groove in fixed orientation, the outer marginal edge wall having an aperture formed therethrough for transferring the chip from the cavity and, a transport device for urging the chip in a specific fixed orientation from the cavity outward through the aperture in a direction different than the direction from which the chip entered the cavity

Abstract: A method of continuously testing and sorting large quantities of capacitor chips, including the steps of loading the chips into identical rows of aligned positions in a rotatable member, simultaneously and sequentially rotating the member to advance the chips past a plurality of testing stations and past subsequent sorting stations, each station successively aligned momentarily with each row of the aligned chips, simultaneously and sequentially conducting a plurality of sequential electrical testing to the chips as they are rotated from test station to test station and classifying them in a plurality of ranges of values at the last test station, and at each subsequent sorting station, sequentially collecting chips belonging in one of the ranges of values until all the chips are collected before the rotating member returns for reloading.

Abstract: In a capacitor chip processing apparatus, including a rotating loading wheel mounted on a spindle and carrying an inventory of chips, passageways formed in the wheel for receipt of chips from the inventory in controlled alignment, a belt containing resilient masks and having chip receiving holes brought into registration with the passageways, and motor-driven loading pins to advance, during the loading cycle, to push the chips from the passageways into the holes, a subassembly machine to detect and correct chip misalignment in the passageways, containing a load cell in communication with the loading pins and arranged to measure the resistance to pin travel as the pins come in contact with the chips in the passageways, a computer apparatus to compare the measured real time resistance to pin travel with a set resistance value from a list of absolute values or empirical studies, and a controller apparatus, activated by the computer apparatus, to control the motor-driven loading pins and the loading wheel in a re

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically metalizing the terminal ends of monolithic capacitor chips, which includes an endless conveying tape having formed therein a plurality of first apertures, a plurality of thin, resilient masks, each adapted for receipt in one of the apertures, in co-planar, fixed registration therewith, each mask having at least one second aperture formed therethrough of a size and shape to compliantly receive a chip therein, in an orientation whereby the contact surfaces extend outward from both sides of the tape, a way to for load the masks with a plurality of chips including a cylindrical wall having formed therethrough at least one orifice for registration with the second aperture in the mask, the cylindrical wall adapted for rotation through an inventory of the chips for introduction of the chips into the orifice in transverse specific alignment with their contact surfaces extending outward from the cylindrical wall orifices, a way to accurately move the chip-loaded orifices into registration w

Abstract: A method of loading chip components orientation-specific into a carrier tape that itself comprises a narrow strip of diaphanous material having a series of depressions embossed therein comprising the steps of moving a series of open-ended recesses, sized and shaped to receive a single chip component in a specific orientation, upwardly through a loose mass of chip components at a speed that is continually interrupted with real time pauses and ultimately transferring the chip components into conjunctive registry with the tape embossments and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: Miniature electronic component parts such as capacitors or resistors are end conductively coated by use of a part handling plate having a multiplicity of passageways therethrough with walls coated by resilient material to grip the parts. A bank of pins in a press (a) are used to move the parts in the passageways, (b) are used to load the parts into the passageways through the use of a loading plate housing part receiving openings filled with parts by the use of vibration equipment, and (c) are used to discharge the parts from the passageways into the recesses of an unloading plate. The parts are moved in the passageways first to expose one end to be coated and then second to expose the other end of the parts to be coated.

Abstract: System of testing and sorting according to tested ranges of values of miniature electronic capacitor and resistor units. A planar carrier with rows and files of openings, loaded with such units, is disposed in an oblique plane to retain the units in place. The carrier is moved in a stepped manner past an electrical testing station and past a series of sorting stations. At the testing station, a file of probes is brought into electrical contact with one end of a set of electronic units in each file. A metal ply laminated in the carrier contacts the other end of the set of electronic units. A bridge network makes measurements by connecting to the file of probes and to the metal ply. A receptacle is disposed at each sorting station. As each file of electronic units passes the receptacles, the units are selectively deposited in the receptacles, by air jets, according to tested ranges of values.

Abstract: Miniature electronic component parts such as capacitors or resistors are end conductively coated by use of a part handling plate having a multiplicity of passageways therethrough with walls coated by resilient material to grip the parts. A bank of pins in a press (a) are used to move the parts in the passageways, (b) are used to load the parts into the passageways through the use of a loading plate housing part receiving openings filled with parts by the use of vibration equipment, and (c) are used to discharge the parts from the passageways into the recesses of an unloading plate. The parts are moved in the passageways first to expose one end to be coated and then second to expose the other end of the parts to be coated.

Abstract: Sides rather than ends of miniature right-rectangular electronic parts are oriented for coating by disposing the ends of the parts in the resiliently coated passageways of a part handling plate and then raking parts to tip them into the passageways with their sides exposed. The parts are loaded into the part handling plate by first feeding them into a part loading plate subjected to vacuum and vibratory actions. The part loading plate has openings of generally circular upper cross-sections and downwardly tapering. The lower portions of the openings in the part loading plate are formed as ends of oblongs matching the sizes of part end surfaces.

Abstract: Miniature electronic component parts such as capacitors or resistors are end conductively coated by use of a part handling plate having a multiplicity of passageways therethrough with walls coated by resilient material to grip the parts. A bank of pins in a press (a) are used to move the parts in the passageways, (b) are used to load the parts into the passageways through the use of a loading plate housing part receiving openings filled with parts by the use of vibration equipment, and (c) are used to discharge the parts from the passageways into the recesses of an unloading plate. The parts are moved in the passageways first to expose one end to be coated and then second to expose the other end of the parts to be coated.

Abstract: Radial leaded electrical components are adapted for use with automatic insertion machinery in accordance with the present invention by providing a V-shaped deformation in their leads so that they may be retained between two parallel bands of adhesive tape. These components may then be wound onto a reel together or they may be wound onto a reel along with other electrical components of either the axial or radial type in a predetermined sequence so that they may be inserted by automatic insertion equipment into printed circuit boards at the proper locations.

Abstract: An automatic soldering machine and method for soldering the ends of pretinned components such as ceramic chip capacitors, transistors and the like, while leaving one side of the component flat, is disclosed. The components are supplied by a vibratory feeder to a pick-up station where they are sequentially picked up by a vacuum probe and are transferred to a print station where a retaining mechanism comprising a spring biased finger and a metal plate retains the component. A plurality of these retaining mechanisms are secured to an indexing table which passes in succession a printing station, a preheating station, a soldering station and a take-off station. At the soldering station a predetermined amount of solder is fed to the ends of the components and a heat lamp is flashed to melt the solder.

Abstract: Axial leads extending from opposite ends of electronic components are strightened by two pairs of fingers having pads which press on the leads and are rotated in opposite directions while they are driven along the leads. The straightening fingers have pads on their ends which are made of a soft resilient material, such as nylon. The fingers each have a cam follower on their ends away from the pads which allows the fingers to be opened and closed by the longitudinal motion of a cam on the end of a rod that is slideably positioned in a rotating tube. One end of the tube is attached to a support member and the fingers are secured to the support member. The finger pads are preferably shaped so that they overbend the lead by a small amount, such as 5.degree..

Abstract: A device for feeding axial lead electrical components is disclosed. The device consists of a magnetic feed bin which is constructed to produce a magnetic field that suspends the components in the bin and moves them towards a pick-up wheel. The pick-up wheel is constructed of nonmagnetic material and has magnets embedded therein which hold the components in slots in the periphery of the wheel. A cylindrical shaft having a flat surface on it is positioned under the input end of a shelf which supports the feed bin. A cam, which is driven in synchronism with the feed wheel, cooperates with a cam follower that is mounted on a lever arm. The lever arm is secured to the shaft that has the flat on it so that the input end of the magnetic feed bin is periodically rocked up and down to prevent bunching of the components in the feed bin in order to insure proper sequential feeding of the components from the bin to the magnetic pick-up wheel.

Abstract: Axial leads extending from opposite ends of electronic components are straightened by two pairs of fingers having pads which press on the leads and are rotated in opposite directions while they are driven along the leads. The straightening fingers have pads on their ends which are made of a soft resilient material, such as nylon. The fingers each have a cam follower on their ends away from the pads which allows the fingers to be opened and closed by the longitudinal motion of a cam on the end of a rod that is slideably positioned in a rotating tube. One end of the tube is attached to a support member and the fingers are secured to the support member. The finger pads are preferably shaped so that they overbend the lead by a small amount, such as 5.degree..