Patent ID: 9669432
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: B07C

Claim:
1. A component feeding system comprising: a platform; a tray supported by the platform, the tray having a component support surface for supporting a plurality of components thereon; an agitation unit supported by the platform and operatively coupled to the tray, the agitation unit agitating the tray to cause the components to move on the tray; a guidance system supported by the platform, the guidance system having a camera viewing the tray; a positioning system supported by the platform; a component gripper supported by the positioning system and moved by the positioning system relative to the tray, the component gripper being configured to pick and place components on the tray; and a controller communicating with the agitation unit, the positioning system, the component gripper and the guidance system, the controller operating the agitation unit, the positioning system and the component gripper based on an image obtained by the camera; wherein the controller develops a motion profile for the agitation unit based on an image obtained by the camera, the motion profile controlling at least one of a frequency, direction and amplitude of agitation of the tray to manipulate the orientation of the components relative to the tray, and wherein the controller develops a motion profile for the positioning system based on an image obtained by the camera to move the component gripper.