Apparatuses and methods for separating, feeding and mounting O-rings

A method for mounting an 0-ring to a work piece, comprising:

• providing negative pressure in an annular groove formed on a body with a pressure source to suck the O-ring in the annular groove, wherein a plurality of connecting holes are formed on the body for connecting the pressure source to the body, and wherein a plurality of air channels are in fluid communication with the annular groove and the plurality of connecting holes;
• moving the body over the work piece, wherein the annular groove is coaxial with a groove formed on a surface of the work piece;
• and
• dropping the O-ring into the groove by disconnecting the pressure source from the body or providing positive pressure to the plurality of air channels using the pressure source.

A system, comprising:

• a robot;
• a pressure source;
• and
• an apparatus operatively coupled with said robot for mounting an O-ring to a work piece, the apparatus comprising:
• a body comprising a plurality of connecting holes for connecting the pressure source to the body;
• an annular groove formed on the body and adapted to receive the O-ring;
• and
• a plurality of air channels formed in the body, the plurality of air channels being in fluid communication with the annular groove and the plurality of connecting holes to provide negative pressure with the pressure source in the annular groove to suck the 0-ring in the annular groove,
• wherein the annular groove is coaxial with a groove formed on a surface of the work piece during the mounting so that the O-ring is dropped into the groove when the pressure source is disconnected from the body or provides positive pressure to the plurality of air channels.