Method and apparatus for sorting component parts of an assembly process

An apparatus for measuring and sorting parts, comprising:

• holding means for holding a part for measurement and having a reference surface associated therewith;
• contact means including a contact member mounted for precise movement by an actuator for contacting the reference surface and for contacting the part in the holding means;
• measuring means for precisely determining a first position of the contact member while in contact with the reference surface and a second position of the contact member while in contact with the part in order to determine a measurement of the part;
• and
• sorting and transport means for removing the part from the holding means and for sorting the part according to the measurement;
• wherein the actuator comprises:
• means for creating a magnetic field;
• an electrical coil for carrying a current, with the coil being disposed for movement within the magnetic field in response to current flow through the coil and with the contact member connected to the coil;
• and
• means electrically connected with the coil for providing the electrical current for positioning the contact member in contact with the reference surface and with the part.

An apparatus for measuring and sorting a component part of an assembly, comprising:

• holding means in the form of gripper jaws for holding the component part for measurement and having a reference surface associated therewith;
• contact means in the form of a contact rod for contacting and measuring a critical dimension of the component part in the holding means with the contact rod mounted for precise movement by a linear voice coil motor and having a removable contact member shaped to determine the critical dimension of the part;
• measuring means in the form of an optical encoder for measuring a location of the contact rod while in contact with the reference surface and a location of the contact rod while in contact with the component part in order to determine the critical dimension;
• and
• sorting means for removing the component part from the gripper jaws and for sorting the component part according to a classification based on the critical dimension.

An apparatus for continuously feeding, measuring and sorting parts comprising:

• feed means for continuously feeding the parts;
• contact means for placing a part into contact with a reference member including a first voice coil actuator having a rod member that can be precisely positioned;
• measuring means for precisely determining a position of the rod member with the part in contact with the reference member in order to ascertain a dimension of the part;
• holding means for holding the measured part;
• and
• sorting means actuated by a second voice coil actuator for removing the part from the holding means and for sorting the part by measurement;
• wherein the sorting means includes a jaw member for holding the part and a contact member actuated by the second voice coil actuator for removing the part from the jaw member.

An apparatus for continuously feeding, measuring and sorting parts comprising:

• feed means for continuously feeding the parts;
• contact means for placing a part into contact with a reference member including a first voice coil actuator having a rod member that can be precisely positioned;
• measuring means for precisely determining a position of the rod member with the part in contact with the reference member in order to ascertain a dimension of the part;
• holding means for holding the measured part;
• and
• sorting means actuated by a second voice coil actuator for removing the part from the holding means and for sorting the part by measurement;
• wherein the contact means includes a lift cup for lifting a part into contact with the reference member.

An apparatus for continuously feeding, measuring and sorting parts comprising:

• feed means for continuously feeding the parts;
• contact means for placing a part into contact with a reference member including a first voice coil actuator having a rod member that can be precisely positioned;
• measuring means for precisely determining a position of the rod member with the part in contact with the reference member in order to ascertain a dimension of the part;
• holding means for holding the measured part;
• and
• sorting means actuated by a second voice coil actuator for removing the part from the holding means and for sorting the part by measurement;
• wherein the feed means is a vibrating linear feed mechanism;
• and wherein the parts are advanced by the linear feed mechanism after measurement into the holding means.

A method for measuring and sorting component parts which comprises the steps of:

• providing a contact member actuated by a voice coil motor for precise movements;
• sensing a location of the contact member with an optical encoder;
• positioning the contact member to establish a reference datum with the encoder for the position of contact member relative to a reference surface;
• retracting the contact member from the reference surface;
• initiating contact of the contact member with the part and simultaneously measuring the position of the contact member with the encoder to ascertain the critical dimension;
• and
• sorting the part according to the critical dimension.