Performing operations on a workpiece using electromagnetic forces

A method for feeding magnetic objects in a stream from a massed supply of the objects, the method comprising:

• supplying the massed supply of the magnetic objects;
• forming the magnetic objects into a moving stream of the magnetic objects which are singulated each from the next where the moving stream comprises a single row of the magnetic objects in which the magnetic objects in the single row are spaced each from a next to form a space therebetween;
• wherein the magnetic objects are fed from the moving stream to a supply path;
• wherein there is provided a series of electromagnets along the supply path operated to provide a sequence of magnetic fields along the supply path that exert a force on each of the magnetic objects as each magnetic object passes in the single row separately from the magnetic objects in front and behind in the single row;
• and directing each of the magnetic objects in the single row by the series of electromagnets in a required direction toward a required location;
• wherein the series of electromagnets operate, while directing each of the magnetic objects in the stream toward the location, also to change an orientation of at least some of the magnetic objects in the stream relative to the row of the magnetic objects by rotation of said at least some of the magnetic objects around an axis passing therethrough.

A method for feeding magnetic objects in a stream from a massed supply of the objects, the method comprising:

• supplying the massed supply of the magnetic objects;
• forming the magnetic objects into a moving stream of the magnetic objects which are singulated each from the next where the moving stream comprises a single row of the magnetic objects in which the magnetic objects in the single row are spaced each from a next to form a space therebetween;
• wherein the magnetic objects are fed from the moving stream to a supply path;
• wherein there is provided a series of electromagnets along the supply path operated to provide a sequence of magnetic fields along the supply path that exert a force on each of the magnetic objects as each magnetic object passes in the single row separately from the magnetic objects in front and behind in the single row;
• directing each of the magnetic objects in the single row by the series of electromagnets in a required direction along a path toward a required location;
• and using at least one sensor to measure at least one property or parameter of at least some of the magnetic objects while in the row of the stream and while separated each from the next;
• wherein the series of electromagnets acts to direct at least some of the magnetic objects along different paths at least in part in response to said at least one measured property or parameter of the magnetic object.

A method for feeding magnetic objects in a stream from a massed supply of the objects, the method comprising:

• supplying the massed supply of the magnetic objects;
• forming the magnetic objects into a moving stream of the magnetic objects which are singulated each from the next;
• wherein the magnetic objects are fed from the moving stream to a supply path;
• wherein there is provided a series of electromagnets along the supply path operated to provide a sequence of magnetic fields along the supply path that exert a force on the magnetic objects;
• and directing the magnetic objects by the series of electromagnets in a required direction toward a required location,
• wherein each of the magnetic objects is a composite magnetic object which comprises a first operating portion and a second magnetic portion;
• wherein the first operating portion has a composition different from the second magnetic portion so that the first operating portion has a difference in interaction with the sequence of magnetic fields from an interaction with the sequence of magnetic fields of the second magnetic portion;
• wherein at least some of the first operating portion of the magnetic object is separated from the second magnetic portion of the magnetic object prior to reaching the required operating location;
• and wherein the first operating portion is carried to the required location while the second magnetic portion is carried along a different path different from the required location by the difference in interaction with the sequence of magnetic fields.

A method for feeding magnetic objects in a stream from a massed supply of the objects, the method comprising:

• supplying the massed supply of the magnetic objects;
• forming the magnetic objects into a moving stream of the magnetic objects which are singulated each from the next;
• wherein the magnetic objects are fed from the moving stream to a supply path;
• wherein there is provided a series of electromagnets along the supply path operated to provide a sequence of magnetic fields along the supply path that exert a force on the magnetic objects;
• and directing the magnetic objects by the series of electromagnets in a required direction toward a required location,
• wherein the method is arranged for carrying out an operation on a workpiece and wherein the magnetic objects comprise magnetic operating tools which are moved toward the workpiece so as to carry out the operation on the workpiece by interaction of the magnetic operating tools with the workpiece at required positions on the workpiece at said required location;
• and wherein the series of electromagnets is arranged such that the sequence of magnetic fields includes at least a portion contained within which translates and/or rotates within a defined volume containing at least part of the workpiece.