Patent ID: 6368045
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B65H,H05K

Abstract:
A feeder for use with a pick and place machine having a pick up head with at least one pick up spindle for acquiring an electronic component from a carrier tape, the feeder comprising:a housing having a longitudinal axis, an end proximate the pick up head, an opposing distal end, and a tape path for advancing the carrier tape to a pick up zone; said pick up zone defining a region in which components in the carrier tape are acquired by the pick up head; said pick up zone being adapted to receive a length of the carrier tape with a plurality of electronic components therewithin; a tape drive mounted on said housing for advancing the carrier tape through said tape path to said pick up zone so that a plurality of the electronic components are simultaneously located within said pick up zone; and a shutter mounted on said housing adapted to incrementally remove a cover tape of the carrier tape in said pick up zone to enable sequential acquisition of each uncovered electronic component in said pick up zone by one of the spindles of the pick up head.