Impulse-based, flexible parts feeder
AssigneeAdept Technology, Inc.
InventorsFelix Buchi, Issa Nesnas, Brian R. Carlisle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible parts feeder includes a flexible membrane for supporting parts and defining a selection zone where the positional state of parts is analyzed by a machine vision system. The output of the sensor is used to control a transformer that selectively applies impulse energy to the flexible membrane so as to change the positional states of at least some parts in the selection zone to a desired positional state. Those parts having the desired positional state are selected and removed from the membrane by a robot.
Claims42
A parts feeding system, comprising:
- a support having a flexible surface for supporting parts;
- a machine vision system that detects at least one positional parameter defining the positional state of parts on said flexible surface;
- and
- a transformer responsive to said machine vision system that applies impulse energy to the support flexible surface so as to selectively change the positional state of at least one part on said flexible surface.
A method for controlling the positional state of parts in a selection zone for removal by a selection mechanism, comprising:
- supporting the parts in a selection zone with a flexible membrane;
- detecting at least one positional parameter defining the positional state of at least one part in the selection zone;
- selectively applying impulse energy to said flexible membrane responsive to the detected at least one positional parameter so as to selectively change the positional state of at least one part in said selection zone to a predetermined selection state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.