Abstract: There is provided a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter, including; a transporter that transports a carrier tape in which the component is stored and of which an upper surface is sealed with a cover tape, along a transport path; a peeler that is disposed above the transport path and peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape; and an ejector that ejects a gas for capturing the cover tape by the peeler.

Abstract: A feeder includes a first sprocket disposed downstream in a conveyance direction and including a first protrusion that engages with a carrier tape, a second sprocket disposed upstream in the conveyance direction, including a second protrusion that engages with the carrier tape, and that rotates in synchronization with the first sprocket, and a phase adjustment mechanism that adjusts a phase of the second sprocket around a rotation center of the second sprocket.

Abstract: A system for dispensing hot melt adhesives, comprising an adhesive dispenser including a fluid passage leading to an outlet. The system further comprises a supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid passage and a feeding mechanism configured to feed an elongate, flexible element of solid adhesive into the supply conduit. The system further comprises a first heating element positioned along at least a portion of the supply conduit to melt a portion of the elongate, flexible element being fed into the supply conduit and thereby form a supply of liquid adhesive within the supply conduit.

Abstract: A feeder for a surface mount placement system includes a feeder body comprising a shaft, a front cover, and a rear cover. The front cover has one end pivotally installed on the feeder body via the shaft, a free end, and a pair of sidewalls respectively extending from two sides of the free end towards the feeder body. The rear cover pivotally installed on the feeder body, including a blocking portion, and the free end of the front cover overlap. The blocking portion is wider than the distance between the sidewalls of the front cover.

Abstract: Provided is a component tape feeder apparatus comprising a single output module, a single component exposure module, operably connected to the single output module, and, a plurality of input modules, wherein each input module of the plurality of input modules is operably connected to the single exposure module. A corresponding method of feeding electronic components includes supplying a plurality of component tapes housing electronic components to the single exposure module, wherein the supplying involves receiving and forwarding of the plurality of component tapes by the plurality of input modules.

Abstract: A tape feeder including an electronic component accommodating part installed at one side of a tape feeder main body to accommodate electronic components which are not picked up by a suction nozzle of an electronic component conveyance robot installed at an electronic component mounting device, thereby preventing the electronic components from clogging a carrier tape moving path, and storing the electronic components in the electronic component accommodating part. Therefore, it is possible to increase efficiency of equipment without operational delay and stoppage of the equipment, readily extract and reuse the electronic components accommodated in the electronic component accommodating part, and keep an operational environment clean.

Abstract: Provided are a tape feeder for use in chip mounters that can reduce a chip feeding duration and prevent chips from being turned over or assuming wrong postures to feed the chips stably, and a chip mounting method. The tape feeder includes a second link having one end linked to a link shaft through which a first link and a pivot lever are combined and the other end in which a slot curved at a predetermined inclination is formed. The velocity at which a carrier tape is fed changes according to the inclination of the curve of the slot with respect to the moving direction of the first link, the curve contacting the contact unit upon the movement of the first link in a direction helping to rotate a ratchet gear.

Abstract: A tape feeder for precisely advancing a component-carrying tape to present sequential electronic components disposed at a pitch in the tape to a pick-and-place machine. A feed sprocket and an encoder disc are operatively associated with each other and rotatably disposed on a common axis within a housing. A motor is operatively connected to the feed sprocket to repetitively rotate the feed sprocket over an angle corresponding to the pitch of the component-carrying tape. An encoder is disposed to read the encoder disc and provide a feedback signal indicating the angular position of the feed sprocket.

Abstract: A drive wheel for a tape accommodating the components is provided with an angle measuring device. This allows for a finely tuned rotational adjustment of the drive wheel. The pick-up position of the components can be detected by a scanning optical system and can be corrected such that the pouch center can be set precisely to a constant advance position.

Abstract: A drive wheel (7) for the tape (1) accommodating the components (4) is provided with an angle measuring device (13, 14) which allows for a finely tuned rotational adjustment of the drive wheel (7). The pick-up position of the components (4) can be detected by means of a scanning optical system and can be corrected such that the pouch center can be set precisely to a constant advance position.

Abstract: A method of mounting electronic components on a circuit substrate using an electronic component mounting device. The electronic component mounting device is operatively associated with (1) a component-supply table which includes a displaceable table and a plurality of component-supply units on the displaceable table and (2) a table displacing device which displaces the displaceable table in a desired direction and which positions the component-supply portion of each component-supply unit at a predetermined component-supply position. The electric component mounting device includes a plurality of component holders which are positioned at a component received position opposed to the component supply position. The method includes causing the component holder to receive, at the component receive position, an electric component from the component-supply portion of each component-supply unit which is positioned at the component-supply position.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multiple-pitch carrier tape feeding, including a carrier tape reel support, a slidable tape window and cover tape peel edge for exposing a component at a pick location adjacent a peel edge, and a carrier tape drive mechanism for advancing the carrier tape through the tape guide. The feeder also includes a pitch selection cam having a plurality of positions, each corresponding to one of a plurality of carrier tape pitch sizes, wherein movement of said selection cam is directly translated into movement of the tape guide. A sensor is employed for detecting the position of the selection cam, and a control unit, responsive to the sensor, controls the carrier tape drive, thereby advancing the carrier tape a predetermined distance according to the selected pitch size.

Abstract: A machine (70) for receiving a continuous strip (10) of elongated products (12) mutually attached end to end includes a frame (82) and is arranged for incrementally feeding the strip of products and performing a manufacturing operation therewith. Each two adjacent products (12) are attached at an indentation (14). The machine include a feed mechanism (90) for incrementally feeding the strip of products. The feed mechanism includes first and second feed fingers (216, 218) mutually opposed on opposite sides of a feed track (108). The first and second feed fingers are movable toward the strip of product until in feeding engagement therewith without gripping the strip of products. The feed mechanism includes a drive carriage (94) and a follower carriage (96) arranged for independent sliding movement along the direction of feed and return. The feed track extends through both the drive carriage and follower carriage to guide the strip of product.

Abstract: In an electronic component feeding device which comprises a component carrier tape wound around a reel, on which electronic components are accommodated in cavities formed on a support tape whose surface is covered by a removable top tape, a reel guide is pivotally mounted, which has a U-shaped cross section that resembles a hook, an open end of the hooked part being formed at a fixed angle &thgr;, and which holds the reel when engaged with an outer peripheral edge of the reel.

Abstract: A method of supplying electric components (“ECs”) with an EC supplying apparatus including an EC-supply table including a displaceable table displaceable in a reference direction, and EC-supply units provided on the displaceable table such that respective EC-supply portions of the units are arranged along a line parallel to the reference direction, each of the EC-supply units including a driven member and a carrier-tape feeding device which feeds, based on the driven member being driven, a carrier tape carrying the ECS at a EC-carry pitch, at a tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the EC-carry pitch by an integral number, so that the ECs are positioned, one by one, at the EC-supply portion of each unit, a table displacing device which displaces the displaceable table and positions the EC-supply portion of each EC-supply unit, at an EC-supply position, a drive member which is provided near the EC-supply position, and a drive device which drives the drive member which in turn dri

Abstract: In a variable-pitch tape feeder for feeding parts to a pick and place machine used to produce electronic circuit boards, a switch assembly is provided which controls the limits of a shutter movement and the tape advance distance dependent upon the desired pitch. The tape feeder uses a carrier tape to deliver parts to the pick and place machine. The parts are inserted into depressions at regular intervals along the length of the tape. To accommodate tapes of varying pitches, i.e., distances between parts, the feeder uses an electronic control unit to drive the tape feed mechanism and actuate a shutter. The shutter prevents small parts from escaping their respective depressions prematurely. The switch provides a stop surface which limits the rearward travel of the shutter and a flag which is detected by optical sensors to determine the position of the switch and thus the pitch desired by the operator.

Abstract: A carrier tape for carrying electronic components thereon forward to a sucking position is formed therein with a plurality of recesses for accommodating the electronic components, respectively, and advanced intermittently with the electronic components contained in the recesses. A suppressor is arranged at a location backward of the sucking position for preventing the electronic components from jumping out of the recesses. A shutter is arranged for sliding contact with the carrier tape such that the shutter is capable of being moved forward and backward along length of the carrier tape to open and close each of the recesses in the sucking position. The shutter has a forward end portion larger in width than a width of the each of the recesses and is formed by a plate spring extending obliquely toward the carrier tape for suppressing the carrier tape.

Abstract: A tape feeder for advancing a carrier tape with pockets containing parts in a surface mount placement system enhances the precision and reliability with which the tape is advanced and reduces the risk of loss of parts in uncovered pockets due to vibration by provision of a sprocket wheel to advance the tape, a reciprocating shutter to retain parts in uncovered pockets, and a retaining member disposed above an edge of the tape for contacting a portion of a top surface of the tape to retain the top surface portion in a plane when the tape is engaged by the sprocket wheel. The operation of the retaining member is assisted by a guide member including front and rear guides that contact the top surface of the tape and a support block that is pressed by a support spring against the bottom surface of a portion of tape between the front and rear guides. The operation of the tape feeder is adjusted to accommodate different pitches.

Abstract: A cartridge for supplying a carrier tape which carries a plurality of electronic components, the tape having a plurality of pockets for accommodating the respective components, and a pair of side portions on both sides of the pockets, the pockets projecting downward from the side portions, the cartridge including a cartridge frame, a tape feeding device mounted on the cartridge frame, for feeding the carrier tape in a feeding direction, a pair of rails provided on the cartridge frame such that the rails extend parallel to the feeding direction, the pair of rails supporting the pair of the portions of the carrier tape, respectively, and permitting movement of the pockets of the tape when the tape is fed on the rails by the tape feeding device, a tape positioning device which positions the carrier tape with respect to a lateral direction in which the pair of side portions of the tape are spaced from each other, and a rail adjusting device which adjusts a spacing between the pair of rails to each of a plurality

Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for transferring a succession of electronic components borne by a carrier tape toward a pickup position one by one, the carrier tape having a backing strip and a protective cover strip adhesively secured to the backing strip to hold the electronic components in position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing one or more individual stacks of superimposed, secured together, expandable tubular strips forming an expandable honeycomb panel. The strips coated with adhesive are advanced sequentially to the inlet of a stacking chamber having an elevated floor with a longitudinally extending slot of a length to receive each strip and which is narrower than the width of the strips to be delivered thereto. The strip so delivered is pushed up through the narrower slot and against the strip just previously delivered to the chamber, to adhere it to the latter strip. The chamber has a weight bar to exert a downward force on the stack of strips to provide good adherence between the strips.

Abstract: A crank drive for the material feeder of a machine tool is constructed so that the position of the crank pin along a line of action thereof, viewed in a position/time curve of the crank pin, is a modified sine curve, which curve is modified in that the peaks of the sine curve are flattened. To achieve this, the crank pin is adjustable relative to a crank disc on the one hand by a basic eccentricity setting device and on the other hand by an eccentricity correcting device. The eccentricity correcting device comprises cams mounted stationarily on the bearing arrangement of the crank disc and a cam follower engaging the cams. The cam follower acts on a main slide movably guided on the crank disc. The basic eccentricity setting device is effective between the main slide and a secondary slide carrying the crank pin. The secondary slide is guided on the main slide.

Abstract: A press feed is provided having a simple, low-friction, low-inertia linkage mechanism to positively drive feed rolls or grippers of the press feed with substantially uniform pressure. The linkage mechanism includes a three-link assembly having first and second substantially parallel links and a third cross link pivotally connected to the first and second links. The first and second links are pivotally mounted to a housing of the press feed substantially equidistant from the connections to the third cross link. The third cross link has a groove extending substantially at right angles to the transverse axis of the third cross link extending between the connections of the third cross link to the first and second links.

Abstract: A sheet paper feed unit comprises an actuator, which is formed of a piezoelectric device, and an idling roller, and sheet paper is clamped between the actuator and idling roller and transported by the vibration of the piezoelectric device. A control unit determines information pertinent to a parameter specific to the sheet paper to be transported, and imparts a drive condition which complies with the information to the piezoelectric drive unit. The piezoelectric device is activated in the condition which complies with the paper specific parameter, whereby the sheet paper is transported at a stable speed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic film feed register device for feeding film to a bag manufacturing device, in which setting of the film intermittent feeding pitch can be done by a keyboard of a microcomputer by an unskilled worker not withstanding whether the machine is operating or stopped. The machine has intermittent feed rollers for a film, a crank connected to the feed rollers through an electromagnetic brake and an electromagnetic clutch, a device shaft for said crank, and an adjusting device for adjusting the eccentric distance of the crank, characterized by an adding mechanism provided between the drive shaft and the adjusting device for adjusting the eccentric distance of the crank. The motion of a drive shaft is controlled by a microcomputer input into the adding mechanism.

Abstract: A cassette-like supply and peel assembly of a tape feeder, comprising the support and guide for an electrical component supply tape and the mechanism for peeling a cover from the tape, is removably interconnectable with a drive assembly which provides motive power to the peeler and stepwise feeding of the tape. The length of the feeding steps is adjustable according to the center-to-center distances between components, which can vary from tape to tape. An operator can adjust the step length from the rear of the feeder by varying one limit of a stroking length of the feeder.

Abstract: An hydraulic index drive system including a variable displacement pump closely coupled to a fixed displacement motor through an adaptor which feeds oil to and returns oil from the motor. A lever on the pump controls the position of a swash plate which determines the pump displacement. The lever is positioned by a cam which makes one revolution per cycle. The cam is designed such that for 40% of the cycle there is no pump output which is the dwell portion of the cycle and for 60% of the cycle the output rises to a set maximum and returns to zero output which is the index portion of the cycle. The pump is driven by a variable speed motor. The system is particularly suited for use with a vacuum conveyor on a bag machine line for transfer of plastic bags to a bag folder.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus for continuous web for producing diecut blanks (for example) has two sets of treatment rolls and the speed of these is adjusted so that although driven at web speed during the treatment portion of each cycle they are accelerated and retarded (or vice versa) during the non-treatment portion of each cycle so as to synchronize the treatment forms on the rolls with the required web areas and avoid wastage. The speed variation is by control of the drive motors for the rolls, but using roll-carried cams connected to gas springs so that energy can be absorbed during retardation and released during acceleration to supplement the motors and thus enable smaller motors to be used.

Abstract: Disclosed is economical and reliable apparatus for precisely intermittently feeding prescribed finite-lengths of edgewise perforated carrier sheet material. The intermittent feeding apparatus basically requires a rotatable drum having its cylindrical surface provided with circularly arrayed radially extending prongs that are removably engageable through the carrier edgewise perforations and which drum is intermittently rotated for a prescribed angular-value cycle so that the drum prongs feed the carrier for an approximate-length roughly equivalent to the desired exact finite-length. At the conclusion of each incremental rotation for the pronged drum, a camming assembly (having a camming first-component circularly arrayed around the drum and having a camming second-component mounted to a reciprocatable piston) rectifies the approximate-length carrier feed into the exact finite-length feed desired for the carrier sheet material.

Abstract: The delineating cylinder of the web apparatus of this invention has a cutout around one-third of its periphery to be out of contact with the web through an idle phase of its rotational cycle during which a web portion at that cylinder is drawn rearward through an adjustably variable distance. Through the remainder of that cycle that web portion is moved forward in step with delineating cylinder rotation. Upstream and downstream from that cylinder are feed roller pairs, driven through a variable ratio planetray transmission, whereby other portions of the web are moved forward steadily at the rate of one repeat interval length per delineating cycle. Between each pair of feed rollers and the delineating cylinder is a control roller around which there is a loop of web. Each control roller is moved bodily in an orbit whereby its loop is alternately increased and permitted to decrease. The radius of its orbit is adjustably variable for variation of repeat interval length.

Abstract: In methods of and apparatus (28) for indexing a repetitively patterned strip (12) past a plurality of work stations, such as, for example, a bonding station (33) and a dewebbing station (65) of a lead frame bonder, a cyclical, automated adjustment of the strip (12) with respect to the bonding station (33) eliminates repeated meticulous manual fine adjustments of the strip. An adjustment of the position of the strip (12) is achieved by adjusting the positions of travel limit stops (109 and 111) of an incremental feed mechanism (46). Simultaneously with the adjustment of the travel limit stops (109 and 111), an adjustment is made in the same magnitude and in the same direction as the adjustment to the limit stops in the position of the dewebbing station (65). Similar adjustments may be made to any other station, an accurate position of which with respect to the position of the strip (12) is desirable.

Abstract: An indexing system for synthetic plastics molding machinery, wherein plastic web gripping drive elements are employed to feed a plastic web in planar indexing movements to the molds of the machine, utilizes a conventional pump driven hydraulic motor connected with the web gripping drive elements by drive transmission mechanism incorporating a brake for positively halting the web gripping elements in predetermined position. A stroke measuring control device driven by the drive transmission mechanism in a path of movement corresponding with the indexing moving of the web gripping elements first decelerates the movement of the web gripping elements and then positively halts them in a predetermined position. Alternatively, a photoelectric eye sensitive to the position of the web can stop the web.

Abstract: A film advancement system for use in a photographic film cutter includes a movable cursor which indicates, by its position, a desired feed length. A cursor position sensor senses the position of the movable cursor with respect to a reference position and provides a feed length signal indicative of the feed length desired. The film is advanced by a distance determined by the feed length signal.

Abstract: A strip feeder particularly for punch dies comprises drive and idler rollers engageable with opposite faces of the strip being fed, a spring-loaded member displaceable in a first direction during the foward stroke upon receiving an impact and returned by the spring during the return stroke, a first one-way clutch effective to decouple the drive roller from the displaceable member during the forward stroke and to couple same during the return stroke, and a second one-way clutch effective to couple the idler roller to the fixed frame during the forward stroke and to decouple same during the return stroke. The described one-way clutch comprises a first member having an external annular surface and a second member including an internal bore for rotably receiving the latter.

Abstract: A machine for cutting and sealing bags from a web of thermoplastic sheet material includes low inertia drive rolls to feed the thermoplastic sheet in closely controlled, incremental lengths. The drive rolls are driven by a fluid motor which is controlled by a stepping motor. The sheet is fed to a cutting and sealing head which has means for gripping the fed segment of the web to hold it in position to be cut and sealed. Sealing is effected by resistance wires on the head which are applied to the thermoplastic sheet. The amount of electrical energy applied to the resistance heating wires is controlled and measured carefully to avoid overheating or underheating of the wire.

Abstract: There are disclosed various embodiments of a composite web of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making such embodiments of the composite web, and method and apparatus by which a composite web of labels is advanced and by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise.