US 5,348,033 A · Method and apparatus for handling singulated electronic components

Abstract

A method and apparatus for translating parts along a path between processing stations. In a class of preferred embodiments, the parts are singulated electronic components, and the processing stations include nozzle arrays for directing jets of process fluid (such as water chemicals, gas or air) at the components. Each part rests on a pair of horizontally separated, endless belts. The top, bottom, and side surfaces of each part (and any leads protruding from the parts) are simultaneously exposed to treatment apparatus that may be positioned above and below the belts. If a downward-oriented nozzle array is disposed above the belts and an upward-oriented nozzle array is disposed below the belts, at the same position along the processing path, the top, bottom, and side surfaces of each part can be simultaneously exposed to process fluid jets from the nozzles. Preferably, a net downward fluid pressure is exerted on each part to maintain the part in its proper position at rest on the belts, while the part is exposed to the fluid jets.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for translating parts between processing stations, including:

a pair of horizontally separated, substantially parallel, endless belts dimensioned and profiled for supporting the parts;
a drive means for translating the belts around a loop, thereby translating the parts supported by the belts along a path between the processing stations with top and bottom surfaces of each part supported by the belts exposed to regions above and below the belts, wherein each of the belts has a continuous, constant cross-section around the loop, and wherein the cross-section includes an inner shelf surface oriented substantially horizontally, an outer top surface oriented substantially horizontally, and a third surface between the inner shelf surface and the outer top surface, said third surface having a sloping portion, and;
at least one of the parts supported by the belts, wherein said at least one of the parts is a singulated electronic component having a first row of leads and a second row of leads, and wherein the first row rests on the shelf portion of a first one of the belts and the second row rests on the shelf portion of a second one of the belts.

An apparatus for processing parts in processing tanks arranged along a path, including:

a housing having partitions which separate the processing tanks;
a pair of horizontally separated, substantially parallel, endless belts dimensioned and profiled for supporting the parts;
a drive means for translating the belts around a loop, thereby translating the parts supported by the belts along the path sequentially through the processing tanks with top, bottom, and side surfaces of each part supported by the belts exposed to regions of the processing tanks located above and below the belts, wherein each of the belts has a continuous, constant cross-section around the loop, and wherein the cross-section includes an inner shelf surface oriented substantially horizontally, an outer top surface oriented substantially horizontally, and a third surface between the inner shelf surface and the outer top surface, said third surface having a sloping portion, and;
at least one of the parts supported by the belts, wherein said at least one of the parts is a singulated electronic component having a first row of leads and a second row of leads, and wherein the first row rests on the shelf portion of a first one of the belts and the second row rests on the shelf portion of a second one of the belts.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for handling singulated electronic components

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for handling singulated electronic components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18