Parts feed device

A method for feeding parts to a robot, the following steps carried out in a continuous endless procedure, the steps comprising:

• a) in a first step, a vibrating platform for changing the orientation and or the position of the parts stochastically by vibrating, and a parts recirculation element, are moved relative to each other into a first position, the vibrating platform then being loaded with parts from the parts recirculation element in this first position;
• b) in a second step, the vibrating platform and the parts recirculation element are moved relative to each other into a second position in order that parts that fall down from the vibrating platform can be collected by the parts recirculation element;
• c) in a third step, the orientation and/or the position of the parts on the vibrating platform can be changed stochastically by vibrating platform, any parts that fall down from the vibrating platform being collected by the parts recirculation element;
• d) in a fourth step, the orientation and the position of the parts on the vibrating platform are detected, and the corresponding orientation and position data are transmitted to the robot;
• e) in a firth step, depending on the transmitted orientation and position data, any parts with a favorable orientation and position are gripped by the robot on the vibrating platform and conveyed away;
• f) in a sixth step, the number of parts remaining on the vibrating platform is determined, a return then being made either to the third step or to the first step, depending on said number of parts.