Patent ID: 6443291
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B23P,B65G

Abstract:
A method for positioning and mounting parts on workpieces, which comprises the steps of:(a) providing a vibrating bin for sorting and orientating the parts into a row and moving the row of parts to an opening in the bin wherein the parts in the row have a similar orientation such that as the parts move through the opening in the bin, the parts have the same orientation; a conveyor means having opposed ends with one end adjacent the opening of the bin for moving the parts away from the bin; and a piston means located at the other end of the conveyor means for moving the parts from the conveyor means to the workpieces and positioning the parts on the workpieces at a specific. point with a specific orientation, the piston means having a magnetized piston rod which holds the parts, for holding the adjacent the portion of the piston rod wherein the piston rod-moves in a forward direction to position the parts adjacent the workpieces and stops moving to deposit the parts on the workpieces; (b) feeding the parts into the bin; (c) sorting the parts in the bin such that the parts are aligned in a row and have the same orientation; (d) moving the parts through the opening in the bin into the conveyor means; (e) moving the parts along the conveyor means and feeding the parts individually at a predetermined rate to the piston means; (f) holding the parts adjacent the piston means; (g) activating the piston means such that the piston rod moves toward the parts and contacts the parts and moves the parts to the workpieces; and (h) depositing the parts on the workpieces by only stopping the rod while the rod remains magnetized.