Method and apparatus for automatically placing lids on component packages

A method for automatically placing a lid on a component package and then securing the lid with a clip, wherein at least one component package is supported on a boat that is conveyed along a path, comprising the steps of:

• (a) removing a lid from a lid feeder station;
• (b) transferring the lid from the lid feeder station to an inspection station;
• (c) inspecting the lid to evaluate the integrity of the lid;
• (d) picking up a clip during inspection of the lid;
• (e) transferring the clip to the inspection station following inspection of the lid;
• (f) indexing the boat to place a component package in a predetermined assembly position along the path;
• (g) transferring the lid and the clip from the inspection station to the predetermined assembly position;
• and
• (h) placing the lid on the component package and securing the clip to the boat in an overlapping manner such that the clip secures the lid against movement relative to the component package.

Apparatus for automatically placing a lid on a component package and then securing the lid with a clip, wherein at least one component package is supported on a boat, comprising:

• a programmable robot arm having a gripping assembly;
• an inspection station;
• first conveying means for conveying a first boat along a path between a first position and a second position;
• a pick arm for removing a first lid from the lid feeder station;
• second conveying means for reciprocating the pick arm between first and second positions to thereby transfer the first lid from the lid feeder station to the inspection station;
• first camera means located at the inspection station for inspecting the first lid to evaluate lid integrity and to determine the orientation of the first lid with respect to a predetermined axis;
• a rotary actuator arm;
• means for reciprocating the rotary actuator arm into contact with a first lid bottom surface following inspection of the first lid and for releasing the gripper arm;
• and
• program control means for selectively controlling the robot arm (i) to move the gripper assembly to the clip feeder station and to pick up a first clip during inspection of the first lid, (ii) to move the gripper assembly along with the first clip to the inspection station and to pick up the first lid following inspection of the first lid, and (iii) to move the gripper assembly along with the first clip and the first lid from the inspection station to a predetermined assembly position located along the path.