Component mounting apparatus

Component mounting apparatus comprising

• a plurality of stands for accommodating a plurality of component substrates in ribbon-like form and carrying different components having leads attached to and extending therefrom, end portions of the leads of said components being attached to said component substrates and said component substrates being freely and independently feedable from said stands;
• a plurality of transport units equal in number to and provided in alignment with and forward of said stands, and having attached thereto leading ends of said component substrates;
• transport unit actuation means for individually advancing said component substrates in uniform steps and bringing successive components carried by said component substrates into leading positions on said component substrates and to a cut-off line whereat said outer end portions of the leads of said leading components are to be cut to effect detachment of said components from said component substrates;
• a component selection block having said stands and said transport units mounted thereon and laterally movable for bringing a selected component substrate carrying a component required to be mounted into line with a cut-off station and a leading component carried by said component substrate into line with said cut-off station;
• a cutter and transfer unit which is movable to said cut-off station, and when at said cut-off station, for cutting said leads of said leading component of said selected component substrate, thereby detaching said component from said component substrate, and simultaneously for providing support to said detached component, and for transporting said detached component to a transfer station and subsequently releasing said component;
• printed circuit board positioning means for supporting a printed circuit board in a horizontal alignment and for moving said printed circuit board for bringing successive portions of said printed circuit board requiring successive said components to be mounted thereon to an insertion station;
• an insertion unit which is movable to said transfer station, and for receiving and holding a component brought to said transfer station by said cutter and transfer unit, said cutter and transfer unit releasing said component when said component is held by said insertion unit, and for moving said received component vertically downwards towards and guiding said leads of said component into a printed circuit board portion brought to said insertion station.