Method and apparatus for loading electronic components

Apparatus for loading and positioning multiple elongate components, each of which having unequal length and width dimensions that define a short axis and a long axis corresponding to respective opposing short axis sides and opposing long axis sides of the component, the apparatus comprising:

• a circular load plate having at least one slot positioned on an outer circumference of the load plate and extending therethrough, the slot having two opposing sidewalls and being sized to receive and hold the component with its long axis in an orientation transverse to an upper surface of the load plate;
• a guide element delivering the component to the slot;
• at least one curved chute, the chute being positioned immediately below and in communication with the slot, the chute additionally bending from an upper opening to a medial point and flaring outwardly from the medial point to a lower opening, the chute having a width at the medial point larger than the short axis of the component and a width at the lower opening larger than the long axis of the component so that the component is rotated through an angle of about 90.degree. during passage through the chute;
• a circular test plate having upper and lower surfaces and at least one pocket positioned on an outer circumference of the chute plate, the pocket being positionable immediately below and in communication with the curved chute, and being shaped to receive and hold the component with its long axis generally parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the test plate;
• and
• a drive mechanism for imparting synchronous motion to the load plate, the curved chute, and the test plate in response to an applied motive force;
• whereby, upon exiting the chute, the component is received and retained in the pocket with an upper long axis side of the component exposed from one of the surfaces of the test plate.

A method for loading and positioning multiple elongate components, each of which having unequal length and width dimensions that define a short axis and a long axis corresponding to respective opposing short axis sides and opposing long axis sides of the component, the method comprising:

• providing a load plate having at least one slot extending therethrough, the slot having two opposing sidewalls and being sized to receive and hold the component with its long axis in an orientation transverse to an upper surface of the load plate;
• delivering the component to the slot;
• placing and retaining the component in the slot with long axis sides of the component facing the sidewalls;
• positioning a curved chute immediately below and in communication with the slot, the chute bending from an upper opening to a medial point and flaring outwardly from the medial point to a lower opening, the chute having a width at the medial point larger than the short axis of the component and a width it the lower opening larger than the long axis of the component so that the component is rotated through an angle of about 90.degree. during passage through the chute;
• providing a test plate having upper and lower surfaces and at least one pocket, the pocket being, positionable immediately below and in communication with the curved chute, and being shaped to receive and hold the component;
• imparting motion to the load plate, curved chute, and test plate to cause the component to drop out of the slot of the load plate, pass through the curved chute, and drop into the pocket of the test plate;
• and
• retaining the component in the pocket with the long axis of the component generally parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the test plate and an upper long axis side of the component exposed from the upper surface of the test plate.

A method for loading and positioning multiple elongate components, each of which having unequal length and width dimensions that define a short axis and a long axis corresponding to respective opposing short axis sides and opposing long axis sides of the component, the method comprising:

• providing a circular load plate having at least one slot positioned on an outer circumference of the load plate and extending therethrough, the slot having two opposing sidewalls and being sized to receive and hold the component with its long axis in an orientation transverse to an upper surface of the load plate;
• delivering the component to the slot;
• placing and retaining the component in the slot with the long axis sides of the component facing the sidewalls;
• positioning a cursed chute immediately below and in communication with the slot, the chute bending from an upper opening to a medial point and flaring outwardly from the medial point to a lower opening, the chute having a width at the medial point larger than the short axis of the component and a width at the lower opening larger than the long axis of the component so that the component is rotated through an angle of about 90.degree. during passage through the chute;
• providing a circular test plate having upper and a lower surfaces and at least one pocket positioned on an outer circumference of the chute plate, the pocket being positionable immediately below and in communication with the curved chute, and being shaped to receive and hold the component;
• imparting rotary motion to the load plate, curved chute, and test plate to cause the component to drop out of the slot of the load plate, pass through the curved chute, and drop into the pocket of the test plate;
• and
• retaining the component in the pocket with the long axis of the component generally parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the test plate and an upper long axis side of the component exposed from the upper surface of the test plate.