Abstract:
A manually operated or automated bonding tool for the attachment of a formed adhesive element to a bonding part is disclosed. The bonding tool includes a loading module in which the bare bonding part is loaded, an oven module in which the bare bonding part is heated, an adhesive picking station module in which the adhesive is attached to the heated bare bonding part, and a part transfer module which advances the bare bonding part sequentially from the loading module, through the oven module, and to the adhesive picking station module. The modules are mounted on a base plate. The loading module includes a bare bonding part-retaining aperture formed in its top and an adjacent finger notch. The oven module receives the unheated bare bonding part from the loading module. The oven module includes an elongated heating block having a bonding part guide by which the bare bonding parts are transferred through the oven and to the adhesive picking station module where the formed adhesive element is attached to the heated bare bonding part. The part transfer module is used to push the unheated bare bonding part into and through the oven module and into position on the adhesive picking station module. An applicator is used to remove the bonding part with the attached formed adhesive element from the adhesive picking station module and into position on a selected substrate.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosed invention relates generally to the preparation of bonding parts attachable to a glass surface or other substrate through the use of adhesives. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to an automated or manually operated bonding tool for attaching a prepared adhesive, such as a structural polyurethane, epoxy or other basic for an adhesive, pressed from a powder to an adhesive tablet, to a bonding part made of any one of several materials including, metal, glass, ceramics, plastics, wood and composites for attachment to another component such as a glass surface or to another substrate made of materials such metal, ceramics, plastics, wood and composites. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Attachment of a first component to a second component for any of a variety of applications may be made by any of several known methods of fastening, including mechanical or chemical fastening. Mechanical fastening, while often practical and reliable, is not always usable for every application. For example, where a first component is being attached to a second component and it is not desirable or practical to drill into or otherwise modify the second component for mechanical attachment, chemical fastening is the only other alternative. This is the case where, for example, a component is to be attached to a glass surface or other substrate (the second component). An example of a component-to-glass arrangement may be seen in the automotive industry where a rear view mirror or a metal hinge needs to be attached to a glass surface. Other examples of component-to-glass attachment needs exist such as in home and office construction. 
         [0003]    A solution to the bonding challenge was introduced in the form of an adhesive applied between the part to be attached (the bonding part) and the substrate to which the bonding part was attached. The adhesives have been applied in several ways. According to one known approach the adhesive is applied to the bonding part by dosing with nozzles and spraying the adhesive onto the bonding part. While this process can be easy and often inexpensive, it suffers from the need to frequently clean the nozzles in order to maintain a desired level of consistency in the actual spraying from part to part. The sprayed adhesive also tends to be sticky, thus resulting in the possibility that the bonding part will come into contact with another object between the time of the spraying of the adhesive and the actual attachment of the bonding part to the substrate. 
         [0004]    According to another known approach a double-sided tape is applied to the bonding part. According to this approach a release layer is removed from one side of the tape and the tape is applied to the bonding part. While the release layer protects against the adhesive from being inadvertently attached to a surface, it also adds an inconvenient step in the process of attachment of the bonding part to the substrate in that the layer must be removed prior to attachment. The release layer may also tear resulting in a portion of the layer being left behind on the adhesive surface and creating the potential for imperfect adhesion of the bonding part to the substrate. 
         [0005]    In addition, hot melt guns have been used to melt an adhesive (in the form of an adhesive stick) for bonding to the bonding part. While the use of hot melt guns is relatively easy, only non-structural adhesives can be used, thus this approach has its limitations. 
         [0006]    A more attractive method is to provide the bonding part with a formed adhesive element such as a tablet already in position prior to shipment of the bonding part to the end-user. This arrangement is attractive as it results in a bonding part that is ready to bond with no requirement that the end user attach the adhesive tablet to the bonding part. However, it is often the case that the end user wishes to apply the tablet at its facility and according to its own schedule and arrangement. In such a case the concept of a pre-applied adhesive such as the bonding tablet already fitted to the bonding part may not be the optimal choice. In the event that the user wishes to apply the adhesive to the bonding part at its facility an on-site bonding machine may be used. However, known bonding machines can be complex to operate and expensive to own and maintain, with such ownership often being justified only by those users having high part volumes. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, as in so many areas of fastener technology, there is room in the art of bonding parts for a practical, easy to use and relatively inexpensive tool for bonding an adhesive to a bonding part. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The disclosed invention provides a bonding tool for the attachment of a formed adhesive element to a bonding part in a practical, relatively simple and cost-effective way. The bonding tool of the disclosed invention may be entirely automated through, for example, pneumatic or electrical automation, may be entirely automatically operated, or may be a combination of automated and manual operations. 
         [0009]    The bonding tool of the disclosed invention includes a loading module in which the bare bonding part is loaded, an oven module in which the bare bonding part is heated, an adhesive picking station module in which the adhesive is attached to the heated bare bonding part, and a part transfer module which advances the bare bonding part sequentially from the loading module, through the oven module, and to the adhesive picking station module. The bonding parts may be advanced or fed through the system either manually, via automation or through a combination of the two. The modules are mounted on a base plate. Optionally but desirably the modules are protected by strategically placed cover sections. 
         [0010]    The loading module includes a body having a base block and a support block. The support block includes a bare bonding part-retaining aperture formed in its top and an adjacent finger notch. A heat shield is attached to the side of the loading module adjacent the oven module. The bare bonding part is initially placed in the bare bonding part-retaining aperture. 
         [0011]    The oven module is positioned next to the loading module. It receives an unheated bare bonding part from the loading module. The oven module includes an elongated heating block and a heat cover positioned substantially over the heating block. A bonding part guide is formed along the length of the elongated heating block. A plurality of bare bonding parts can be positioned in the bonding part guide at a single time, thus allowing for an unheated, incoming bare bonding part to be heated to an appropriate temperature prior to exiting the oven module. 
         [0012]    The part transfer module includes a reciprocating body slidably attached to a guide rail fixed to a guide rail on the base plate. A transport finger assembly is fixed to the reciprocating body. A handle is fixed to the upper side of the reciprocating body. A first transfer finger assembly includes a transfer finger movable substantially through the finger notch of the loading module for advancing the unheated bare bonding part from the loading module into the oven module. The part transfer module further includes a second transfer finger movably attached to the transport finger assembly. Movement along a movable flap pivotably attached to a flap base fixed to the guide base causes the second transfer finger to be selectively moved between a heated bare bonding part contacting position and pushing position and a non-contacting position. 
         [0013]    The adhesive picking station module is positioned next to the oven module. It receives a heated bare bonding part from the oven module. The adhesive picking station module includes a cartridge for receiving, holding and feeding the formed adhesive element, typically in the form of an adhesive tablet. The adhesive picking station module also includes a slide and a stamp element. The slide advances a single adhesive tablet from the cartridge into position over the stamp element. Thereafter the heated bare bonding part is advanced over the adhesive tablet. The tablet may be advanced or fed through the system either manually, via automation or through a combination of the two. 
         [0014]    A hand-held applicator is positioned over the bare bonding part and is pressed into contact with the adhesive tablet and is moved until the stamp element halts forward motion of the combined adhesive tablet and bonding part. The bonding part (and the now-attached adhesive element) is retained by the applicator until moved into position for attachment to the selected substrate. 
         [0015]    The disclosed invention provides a low-cost and efficient solution to the challenge faced by the user of adhesive-picked bonding parts who uses a smaller number of bonding parts. The oven module provides consistency of heating temperature to the bare bonding part and thus bonding consistency. According to the disclosed method, even if the continuous bonding cycle is interrupted, no bare bonding part will be overheated. The bare bonding part which is used for the adhesive attachment (the part which exits the oven) always has the same temperature as the adjusted oven temperature. The first-in-first-out method of heating the bare bonding parts helps to provide part temperature consistency as well. 
         [0016]    Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bonding tool of the disclosed invention shown with all of its protective covers in place; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1  but showing the bonding tool without the removable loading station module protective cover and the removable adhesive picking station module protective cover; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the bonding tool of the disclosed invention with all of the covers removed taken from a first side; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of the bonding tool of the disclosed invention with all of the covers removed taken from a second side; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the loading station module; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the heating block of the oven module loaded with a plurality of bare bonding parts and the second transfer finger of the part slide module; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the part slide module of the disclosed invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second transfer finger assembly and the flap cam control illustrating the second transfer finger assembly in its home position 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the second transfer finger assembly in a position advanced from its position shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the second transfer finger assembly in a position advanced from its position shown in  FIG. 9  nearing the end of the movement toward the adhesive picking station module; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the second transfer finger assembly initially returning to its home position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the second transfer finger assembly in a position advanced from its position shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the second transfer finger assembly in a position advanced from its position shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second transfer finger assembly in a position advanced from its position shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the second transfer finger assembly as it almost has returned to its home position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the arrangement of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is sectional view of the adhesive picking station module; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  illustrates the adhesive picking station module of  FIG. 17  showing the adhesive tablet being loaded into the slide; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  illustrates the adhesive picking station module of  FIG. 17  showing the adhesive tablet in place for attachment to the heated bare bonding part; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  illustrates the adhesive picking station module of  FIG. 17  showing the heated bare bonding part in position above the adhesive tablet; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  illustrates the applicator in position above the heated bare bonding part in anticipation of attachment thereto; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  illustrates the applicator connected to the heated bare bonding part; 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  illustrates the applicator and heated bare bonding part pressing the movable picking station base against the fixed picking station base and showing the adhesive tablet captured between the heated bare bonding part and the stamp; 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  illustrates the movable picking station base urged away from the fixed picking station base; 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  illustrates the applicator and adhesive-picked bonding part removed from the adhesive picking station module; 
           [0043]      FIG. 26  illustrates the insertion of a pin into an empty tablet magazine to push the reciprocating piston into a locked release position; 
           [0044]      FIG. 27  illustrates the reciprocating piston locked in position by the locking pin; 
           [0045]      FIG. 28  illustrates the empty tablet magazine separated from the rest of the adhesive picking station module; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 29  illustrates a tablet magazine containing a replacement tablet cartridge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0047]    In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 1 through 4  generally show the bonding tool of the disclosed invention, generally illustrated as  10 . It is to be understood that the shape and general appearance of the bonding tool  10  as illustrated is only suggested and is not intended as being limiting as the bonding tool  10  may adopt other shapes and sizes without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention as described. 
         [0049]    The bonding tool  10  optionally but preferably includes one or more removable protective covers including, for example, a removable loading station module protective cover  12  and a removable adhesive picking station module protective cover  14 . The protective covers  12  and  14  are provided to protect certain parts of the bonding tool  10  from dust, dirt and other forms of damage during shipment and storage. The bonding tool  10  also includes a base cover  16  for housing the electrical components and control elements and a main bonding tool cover  18  having a carrying handle  20 . The removable loading station module protective cover  12  and a removable adhesive picking station module protective cover  14  are secondary to the main bonding tool cover  18  which ordinarily stays in its attached position as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  during operation. 
         [0050]    An applicator  24  for grasping a bare bonding part, pressing it against the adhesive tablet for adhesion, removing the bonding part fixed with the adhesive tablet, and applying the bonding part to the selected substrate is provided and may or may not be a fixed part of the bonding tool  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the applicator  24  is removably inserted on the bonding tool  10 . The applicator  24  and its function will be discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 21 through 25 . 
         [0051]    When in use, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the removable loading station module protective cover  12  and a removable adhesive picking station module protective cover  14  are removed for operation. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrated the bonding tool  10  with all of the covers  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  removed. Under normal operating circumstances the bonding tool  10  would not be used in this way. The covers  12  and  14  would be removed as set forth above for operation. However, the covers  16  and  18  would normally remain in place during operation. However, for purposes of the present description, the covers have been removed in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in which  FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a first side of the bonding tool  10  and  FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a second side of the bonding tool  10 . 
         [0053]    The bonding tool  10  includes four basic operating modules. These include a loading station module  30 , an oven module  32 , a part slide module  34 , and a adhesive picking station module  36 . Each of the modules  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  will be discussed below individually. The modules  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  are attached directly or indirectly to base plate  38 . Legs  40 ,  40 ′,  40 ″ and  40 ′″ are fitted to the underside of the base plate  38 . 
       Loading Station Module 
       [0054]    The loading station module  30  is illustrated in detail in  FIG. 5 . The loading station module  30  includes a support block  42  fitted to a basic block  44 . The basic block  44  is attached to the base plate  38 . A thermo-protective heat shield  46  is fitted to the side of the loading station module  30  which faces the oven module  32 . The heat shield  46  may be composed of any known material suitable for restricting the passage of heat to the loading station module  30 . 
         [0055]    Formed in the top side of the support block  42  is a circular receiver  48  for receiving the base of a bare bonding part (not shown). A magnet  49  is fitted in the base of the circular receiver  48 . A finger notch  50  is also formed in the top side of the support block  42  as is a bare bonding part channel  52 . The bare bonding part channel  52  includes a pair of opposed and spaced apart upper flanges  54  and  54 ′. After being positioned in the circular receiver  48  the bare bonding part is pushed out of the loading station module  30  by the part slide module  34 . As it is pushed out of the loading station module the base of the bare bonding part passes through the bare bonding part channel  52  and into the oven module  32 . The upper flanges  54  and  54 ′ prevent the base of the bare bonding part from tipping out of the channel  52  during movement from the circular receiver  48  and into the oven module  32 . 
       Oven Module 
       [0056]    The oven module  32  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In these figures an oven module cover  55  is shown. Inside the oven module  32  is a heating block  56  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . the oven module cover  55  retains heat generated by the heating block  56 . 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the heating block  56  includes support blocks  58  and  58 ′ fitted to a basic block  60 . A bare bonding part channel  62  is formed between the support block  58  and the basic block  60 . A pair of spaced apart and opposed upper part guide flanges  64  and  64 ′ are support block  58 . The heating elements  66  and  66 ′ provide a pre-selected and constant amount of heat to the heating block  56 . 
         [0058]    The bare bonding part channel  62  allows bare bonding parts received from the loading station module  30  to pass through and along the heating block  56  to the adhesive picking station module  36 . As illustrated from this view, the cold parts enter on the left side and hot parts exit on the right side. A plurality of bare bonding parts P 1  . . . P 5  is illustrated at various positions along the bare bonding part channel  62 . The upper part guide flanges  64  and  64 ′ provide the part channel and prevent the bases of the bare bonding parts P 1  . . . P 5  from tipping out of the channel  62  during movement from the loading station module  30  into the adhesive picking station module  36 . Before initiating the operation the oven module  32  has to be filled with a specific amount of parts such that one hot part moves out of the oven module  32  at the same time one cold part is moved into the oven module  32 . 
         [0059]    The bare bonding parts P 1  . . . P 5  are moved along the bare bonding part channel  62  and are heated to a pre-selected temperature while dwelling in the heating block  56 . In this instance, the first bare bonding part pushed into the channel  62  of the heating block  56  (in the illustrated case, bare bonding part P 1 ) is the first to be pushed out of the channel  62  and into the adhesive picking station module  36 . At the other end of the channel  62  the last bare bonding part pushed into the channel  62  (in the illustrated case, bare bonding part P 5 ) is the last to be pushed out of the channel  62  and into the adhesive picking station module  36  by means of a hot part transfer finger  67 , described below with respect to the Part Slide Module. While five bare bonding parts are illustrated as being in line and retained in the channel  62  it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of bare bonding parts may be positioned therein. 
       Part Slide Module 
       [0060]    Movement of the bare bonding part from the loading station module  30 , through the oven module  32 , and to the adhesive picking station module  36  is accomplished by operation of the part slide module  34 . The part slide module  34  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The part slide module  34  includes a guide base  68  fixedly attached to the base plate  38 . A guide rail  70  is fixed to the guide base  68 . To the side of the guide base  68  is a flap cam control  72  pivotably mounted to flap base  74 . The flap base  74  is attached to the guide base  68 . 
         [0061]    A reciprocating body  76  is slidably attached to the guide rail  70  of the guide base  68 . The reciprocating body  76  includes a first transfer finger assembly  78  and a second transfer finger assembly  80 . The first transfer finger assembly  78  moves the unheated bare bonding part from the loading station module  30  into and through the oven module  32  by pushing one bare bonding part against an adjacent bare bonding part. The second finger transfer assembly  80  moves a heated bare bonding part from the oven module  32  and to the adhesive picking station module  36 . 
         [0062]    The first transfer finger assembly  78  includes a cold part transfer finger  82 . The cold part transfer finger  82  is reciprocatingly fitted into the finger notch  50  of the top side of the support block  42  of the loading station module  30 . The cold part transfer finger  82  is an extension of an arm  84  which extends from the reciprocating body  76 . 
         [0063]    The second transfer finger assembly  80  includes the hot part transfer finger  67  which is attached to a reciprocating finger support  88 . The reciprocating finger support  88  is reciprocatingly movable in a direction transverse to the long axis of the guide rail  70  of the guide base  68 . A guide pin  90  extends from the underside of the reciprocating finger support  88  for interaction with the flap cam control  72  as will be described below. 
         [0064]    A folding handle  92  is attached to the reciprocating body  76  for the movement of the reciprocating body  76  as selected back and forth along the guide rail  70 . A gas spring  94  is provided to assist in the reciprocating movement. One end of the gas spring  94  is attached to the guide base  68 . The other end of the gas spring  94  is attached to the reciprocating body  76 . Forward movement of the reciprocating body  76  on the guide rail  70  is limited by a reciprocating body stop  96 . 
         [0065]    Once an unheated bare bonding part is inserted into the circular receiver  48  of the loading station module  30  movement of the reciprocating body  76  and the associated first transfer finger assembly  78  and the second transfer finger assembly  80  is accomplished by the operator grasping the folding handle  92 . When the reciprocating body  76  is moved toward the adhesive picking station module  36  the cold part transfer finger  82  contacts the unheated bare bonding part which is moved out of the loading station module  30  and into the oven module  32 . 
         [0066]    Simultaneously, the second transfer finger assembly  80  moves the hot bonding part P 1  out of the oven module  32  and into the adhesive picking station module  36  in conjunction with the flap cam control  72  as set forth in stage-wise progress in  FIGS. 8 through 16 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the second transfer finger assembly  80  and the flap cam control  72  are illustrated in detail. The second transfer finger assembly  80  includes an upper portion  98  and a lower portion  100 . The lower portion  100  is fixedly associated with the reciprocating body  76  and thus moves along the long axis of the guide rail  70 . The upper portion  98  moves slidably along the lower portion  100  in a direction transverse to the movement of the reciprocating body  76 . 
         [0068]    The flap cam control  72  includes an extension  101 . The flap cam control  72  is pivotably attached to the flap base  74  by a pivot  102 . The flap cam control  72  includes a cam  103  having a first surface  104 , a second surface  106 , a third surface  108 , and an end surface  110 . A spring  112  is disposed between the extension  101  and the flap base  74 . 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the second transfer finger assembly  80  is shown in its home position with the guide pin  90  shown as being level with the end surface  110  of the flap cam control  72 . In this position the hot part transfer finger  67  is directly behind the next heated bare bonding part as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0070]    With the movement of the reciprocating body  76  toward the adhesive picking station module  36  the guide pin  90  of the second transfer finger assembly  80  moves along the third beveled surface  108 . This position is illustrated in top plan view in FIG.  9  and in perspective view in  FIG. 10 . At this point the heated bare bonding part is advanced to its tablet receiving position in the adhesive picking station module  36 . 
         [0071]    When the guide pin  90  has moved forward enough to clear the third surface  108  the spring  112  urges the extension  101  in rotation about the pivot  102  until third surface  108  of the cam  103  presses against the flap base  74 . 
         [0072]    After the hot part transfer finger  67  pushes the heated bare bonding part out of the oven module  32  to the adhesive picking station module  36  it is returned to its home position to engage the next heated bare bonding part in the oven module  32 . Return of the reciprocating body  76  to its home position is assisted by the gas spring  94 . 
         [0073]    To accomplish this measure the hot part transfer finger  67  must be moved away from the array of bare bonding parts being heated in the oven module  32  toward the flap base  74 . The rearward movement of the guide pin  90  along the first surface  104  acts to move the hot part transfer finger  67  out of engagement with the bare bonding parts. This movement is shown in the top plan view of  FIG. 11  in which the guide pin  90  has initially engaged the first surface  104 . 
         [0074]    Further advancement of the reciprocating body  76  toward the loading station module  30  as shown in  FIG. 12  forces the guide pin  90  to ride along the ramping first surface  104  of the cam  103 , moving the upper portion  98  of the second transfer finger assembly  80  and thus the hot part transfer finger  67  further out of contact with the bare bonding part in the oven module  32 . Eventually advancement of the reciprocating body  76  in this manner causes the guide pin  90  to reach the second surface  106  as shown in plan view in  FIG. 13  and to move forward along the second surface  106  as shown in perspective view in  FIG. 14 . At this point the upper portion  98  and its associated hot part transfer finger  67  has moved as far as possible away from the array of bare bonding parts in the oven module  32 . 
         [0075]    Eventually, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , advancement of the reciprocating body  76  toward the loading station module  30  brings the guide pin  90  to the point at which the upper portion  98  of the second transfer finger assembly  80  is about to snap back to its home position of  FIG. 8  where the hot part transfer finger  67  is positioned behind the next heated bare bonding part. The snapping movement of the upper portion  98  of the second transfer finger assembly  80  is effected by a pair of biasing members  114  and  114 ′. Movement of the reciprocating body  76  toward its home position is stopped by the extended position of the gas spring  94 . 
       Adhesive Picking Station Module 
       [0076]    The adhesive picking station module  36  is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 17 through 29 . In general, the adhesive picking station module  36  provides a supply of adhesive tablets, a method of transferring tablets one at a time to a station where it is joined to a heated bare bonding part. 
         [0077]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the adhesive picking station module  36  is shown in section. The adhesive picking station module  36  includes a tablet magazine  116  releasably attached to a movable picking station base  118 . The movable picking station base  118  is slidably attached to a fixed picking station base  120  which is attached to the base plate  38 . A pair of guide shafts  122  and  122 ′ align and connect the movable picking station base  118  to the fixed picking station base  120 . A biasing member  124  urges the movable picking station base  118  apart from the fixed picking station base  120 . A tablet stamp  126  is fitted to the fixed picking station base  120 . An adjustment screw  127  is provided for fine adjustment of the tablet stamp  126 . (The adjustment screw  127  is provided to allow fine adjustment of the height of the tablet stamp  126  so as to allow the correct contact between the hot bonding part P 1  and the adhesive tablet when it is picked up as shown in  FIG. 23 , discussed below.) 
         [0078]    A movable adhesive tablet slide  128  is reciprocatingly fixed to the top of the movable picking station base  118 . The movable adhesive tablet slide  128  has a handle  129  and a tablet holding hole  130  formed therein. Generally above the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  is a heated bare bonding part receiver  132 . 
         [0079]    The tablet magazine  116  is releasably attached to the underside of the movable picking station base  118  preferably by a bayonet-type mount as is known in the art. Within the tablet magazine  116  is an adhesive tablet cartridge  134 . The adhesive tablet cartridge  134  may hold any number of adhesive tablets  135  such as fifty and may be replaced with a full cartridge when empty. It is to be understood that while the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  is illustrated other tablet feeders, such as a ball feeder [not shown], may be used. 
         [0080]    A reciprocating piston  136  is attached to the base of the tablet magazine  116  by a biasing member  138 . The reciprocating piston  136  is preferably a bright color, such as red, to allow for easy visualization by the operator as discussed further below. The biasing member  138  urges the reciprocating piston  136  upward against the lowermost adhesive tablet  135 . A locking pin assembly  140  is fitted to the lowermost portion of the tablet magazine  116  for retaining the reciprocating piston  136  in a lowered locked position to allow replacement of the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  as will be explained in detail below. 
         [0081]      FIG. 18  illustrates the adhesive picking station module  36  in its adhesive tablet loading position. As shown, the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  has been moved to its tablet receiving position with the tablet holding hole  130  positioned above the adhesive tablets  135 . A transparent tablet movement-limiting plate  142  having a pin-passing aperture  144  formed therein limits upward movement of the uppermost tablet  135  such that only a single tablet at a time may be moved into the tablet holding hole  130 . 
         [0082]    Once an adhesive tablet  135  is positioned in the tablet holding hole  130  the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  is moved into position above the tablet stamp  126  by an operator using the handle  129 . This positioning is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . Thereafter, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , a heated bare bonding part P 1  is moved in position in the heated bare bonding part receiver  132  through measures described above with respect to the description of the part slide module  34 . 
         [0083]    When the heated bare bonding part P 1  is moved into position above the adhesive tablet  135  the operator positions the applicator  24  above the heated bare bonding part P 1  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The applicator  24  includes a bonding part receiving and holding aperture  146 . Once in position, the operator moves the applicator  24  onto the heated bare bonding part P 1  until the stud of the heated bare bonding part P 1  is fitted into the bonding part receiving and holding aperture  146  as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . The operator then pushes down on the applicator  24  which moves the movable picking station base  118  downward against the fixed picking station base  120 . Eventually downward movement of the applicator  24  toward the fixed picking station base  120  causes the underside of the heated bare bonding part P 1  to come into contact with the upper side of the adhesive tablet  135 . The lower side of the adhesive tablet  135  ultimately contacts the stamp  126  and the adhesive tablet  135  is captured there between as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0084]    Once the adhesive tablet  135  is adhered to the heated bare bonding part P 1  the operator moves the applicator  24  upward as shown in  FIG. 24 . With the downward pressure on the applicator  24  relieved the movable picking station base  118  is urged by the biasing member  124  to its resting position relative to the fixed picking station base  120 . The applicator  24  is then completely removed from the adhesive picking station module  36  as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , for adhesion to a selected substrate. 
         [0085]    After the operations described above are repeated the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  will eventually become empty as illustrated in  FIG. 26 . On this occasion it is necessary to remove the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  from the tablet magazine  116 . To allow for the removal of the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  the locking pin assembly  140  is provided to lock the reciprocating piston  136  into a cartridge-releasing position. The locking pin assembly  140  includes a spring loaded piston locking pin  148  reciprocatingly positioned in the wall of the tablet magazine  116 . A biasing member is provided to urge the piston locking pin  148  inward. The reciprocating piston  136  includes a locking pin-engaging shoulder  150 . 
         [0086]    Before the tablet magazine  116  can be removed from the movable picking station base  118  the pressure upon the reciprocating piston  136  exerted by the biasing member  138  must be relieved. To accomplish this, and as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , a pin  152  is inserted into the pin-passing aperture  144  of the transparent tablet movement-limiting plate  142 . Downward pressure is applied upon the reciprocating piston  136  by the operator using the pin  152  until the inner end of the piston locking pin  148  engages the locking pin-engaging shoulder  150  of the reciprocating piston  136 . Thus engaged the reciprocating piston  136  is locked in place toward the lower end of the tablet magazine  116 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 27 . 
         [0087]    Once the reciprocating piston  136  is locked into its lower position the tablet magazine  116  can be released from the underside of the movable picking station base  118  by a twisting movement. The removed tablet magazine  116  is shown in  FIG. 28  relative to the adhesive picking station module  36 . Thereafter, and as shown in  FIG. 29 , a filled adhesive tablet cartridge  134  is inserted into the tablet magazine  116  which is thereafter ready for reattachment to the movable picking station base  118 . The operator can start the tablet loading with the adhesive tablet slide  128  after releasing the spring loaded piston locking pin  148  whereupon the biasing member  138  urges the reciprocating piston  136  upward against the lowermost adhesive tablet  135 . 
       Tool Operation 
       [0088]    Before operation, the operator verifies that there are a sufficient number of adhesive tablets  135  in the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  to perform the required number of operations. This can be done by any of several methods. One method is for the operator to confirm the presence of the upper tablet by looking through the transparent tablet movement-limiting plate  142 . If there is no tablet in the cartridge the brightly-colored reciprocating piston  136  would be visible. In such case the operator would then lock the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  mechanically when the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  has been moved to its tablet receiving position and the brightly-colored reciprocating piston  136  would snap into the tablet holding hole  130  positioned above the adhesive tablet cartridge  134 . This step includes the removal and inspection of the adhesive tablet cartridge  134 , by visual verification in the event that the tablet magazine  116  and the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  have visualization windows, or by an indicator such as a visible mark in the form of, for example, a red line, or a line or a level marking on the pin  152 . 
         [0089]    Once the presence of a sufficient number of adhesive tablets  135  has been verified, the bonding tool  10  is first attached to a suitable electric power source and is switched on at a main switch (not shown). All of the indicator lights  153 ,  154 , and  155  (which may be the same color or different colors) are turned on and the reciprocating body  76  of the part slide module  34  is locked on the guide rail  70 . After the oven module  32  achieves a pre-selected internal temperature the indicator light  153  changes from a first color to a second color (such as from red to green). If at any time during operation of the bonding tool the internal temperature of the oven module  32  falls below the pre-selected temperature the indicator light  153  returns to its original color (such as going from green back to red). At any time while the bonding tool  10  is turned on the indicator lights  153 ,  154 , and  155  are turned from a first color to a second color (again, such as from red to green). Only when all three indicator lights are the second color (such as green) can the reciprocating body  76  of the part slide module  34  be unlocked and the part transfer can be initiated. 
         [0090]    The operator then moves the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  so that the tablet holding hole  130  is above the adhesive tablet cartridge  134  thus allowing a single adhesive tablet  135  enter the tablet holding hole  130 . The operator then slides the movable adhesive tablet slide  128  inward until the single adhesive tablet  135  is positioned above the tablet stamp  126 . In this position the indicator light  154  changes from its first color to its second color (such as from red to green). 
         [0091]    The operator then places the base of an unheated bare bonding part into the circular receiver  48  of the support block  42  of the loading station module  30 . The magnet  49  pulls down the unheated bare bonding part into proper position and the indicator light  155  changes from its first color to its second color (such as from red to green). 
         [0092]    When all of the indicator lights  153 ,  154 , and  155  are changed to their second color (such as green) the reciprocating body  76  of the part slide module  34  is unlocked and the operator moves the handle  92  of the reciprocating body  76  to move the unheated bare bonding part P 5  from the loading station module  30  into the oven module  32  as discussed above. Simultaneously a heated bare bonding part P 1  exits the oven module  32  and is placed on the heated bare bonding part receiver  132  of the adhesive picking station module  36  also as described above. The reciprocating body  76  moves back to its home position assisted by the gas spring  94 . 
         [0093]    With a heated bare bonding part in position on the adhesive picking station module  36 , the operator presses the applicator  24  onto the stud of the heated bare bonding part as set forth above. Sufficient pressure is applied by the operator on the applicator  24  so that the adhesive tablet  135  is captured between the underside of the heated bare bonding part P 1  and the tablet stamp  126 , causing the adhesive tablet  135  to adhere to the underside of the heated bare bonding part P 1 . Signals may be provided to inform the operator when the applicator  24  with the adhesive-fitted bonding part may be removed from the adhesive picking station module  36  and to inform the operator when the applicator  24  has been held in position too long. After removal of the applicator  24  from the picking station, the indicator lights  153 ,  154  and  155  turn their starting color (such as red) and the reciprocating body  76  of the part slide module  34  is locked. The operator then positions the adhesive-fitted bonding part to the selected substrate. 
         [0094]    Additional operation indicators on the applicator  24  may be added such as a colored LED which shows the time to wait before the application to be sure the adhesive is melted enough (“waiting time”), and four other colored count-down LEDs which inform the operator of the ready status and the time range of the bonding part to be applied on the substrate (“application time range”). 
         [0095]    The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.