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US 5,940,465 AGranted
Method for counting parts in a tray
AssigneeMicron Electronics, Inc.
InventorSteven J. Brunelle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment of the invention is an automated method for counting parts. The method includes positioning a tray having an array of part locations; aligning a complementary array of holes in a plate with the part locations; activating air flow through the holes such that the parts will move to alter the air flow; and determining from the altered air flow the number of parts.
Claims12
A method for counting parts comprising:
- a) positioning a tray having an array of part locations;
- b) aligning a complementary array of holes in a plate with the part locations;
- c) activating an air flow through the holes such that the parts will move to alter the air flow;
- and
- d) determining from the altered air flow the number of parts.
2 more elements
A process of counting parts comprising:
- a) positioning a tray having an array of locations for holding the parts;
- b) sensing when the tray reaches a predetermined position;
- c) aligning a plate having an array of holes over the tray, the array of holes being arranged ranged to complement and align with the array of locations for holding the parts;
- d) activating an air flow through the holes of the plate;
- e) determining from a change of air flow how many parts are located in the tray;
- and
- f) deactivating the air flow through the holes of the plate to re-position the parts into the locations of the tray.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.