Components feeding apparatus

Abstract

In an electronic component mounting apparatus comprises a component feeding section including a feeding table unit loaded with several types of electronic components which feeding table unit is adapted to laterally reciprocate on a base, and stopping at a predetermined position thereby to feed the components continuously to a transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism for absorbing the electronic components and mounting them on a board on an X-Y table on the other side, the X-Y table fixing and stopping the board to a predetermined position, and a board transport section for transporting the board onto the X-Y table for delivering the board having the electronic components mounted thereon, a component feeding apparatus wherein the component feeding table unit of the component feeding section is divided into a plurality of feeding tables each adapted to be moved individually on a straight line by a drive mechanism, the apparatus further comprising means for moving the table to a predetermined position in opposed relationship with the transfer mechanism in response to a command from the control unit.

We claim: 
     
       1. In an electronic component mounting machine comprising a component feeding apparatus including a feeding table unit loaded with several types of electronic components which feeding table unit is reciprocated laterally on a base, and stopped at a predetermined position for feeding said components continuously to a transfer mechanism, a transfer mechanism for conveying said electronic components from said feeding table unit to a board on an X-Y table and mounting them on said board, the X-Y table fixing and stopping the board at a predetermined position, and a board transport apparatus for transporting said board onto the X-Y table, wherein said feeding table unit of said component feeding apparatus is divided into a plurality of feeding tables each moved individually on a single straight line by a drive means, said drive means moving and positioning said tables separately to a predetermined position in opposed relationship with the transfer mechanism in response to a command from a control unit. 
     
     
       2. A component feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said drive means is made up of a linear motor including a stationary part having a couple of magnets arranged .[.along a straight line.]. in spaced relationship with each other and a moving part having a coil protruded downward from one of said tables and inserted in the space between the magnets. 
     
     
       3. A component feeding machine according to claim 2, wherein said magnets are arranged closely in proximity to said transfer mechanism and with greater intervals at other positions more remote from said transfer mechanism, or magnets having high coercive force are arranged closely to said transfer mechanism and magnets having low coercive force are arranged at other positions more remote from said transfer mechanism. 
     
     
       4. A component feeding machine according to claim 1, wherein said drive means for moving and positioning said tables includes a linear scale of high resolution in the vicinity of the transfer mechanism and a proximity switch or a low resolution linear scale at the other positions more remote from said transfer mechanism. 
     
     
       5. A component feeding machine according to claim 4, wherein said control unit includes a system controller, a plurality of drive circuits, linear scale detection circuits, drivers and servo controllers fewer in number than said tables, said proximity switch or said low resolution linear scale detecting a table approaching the region covered by the high resolution linear scale thereby to switch the connections of said drive circuits and said linear scale detection circuits to said tables simultaneously. 
     
     
       6. A component feeding machine according to claim 1, wherein each table includes a component storage unit installed thereon for sequentially delivering the component.[.,.]. thereby forming .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.component feeding apparatus.Iadd., .Iaddend..[.including a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.transfer mechanism .[.for conveying.]. .Iadd.selectively absorbs and holds .Iaddend.the components .[.on.]. .Iadd.from .Iaddend.the table .Iadd.and transfers said components .Iaddend.to the board .[.and an.]. .Iadd.on said .Iaddend.X-Y table .[.having said board disposed thereon for.]..Iadd., said X-Y table .Iaddend.placing said board at a predetermined position two-dimensionally. 
     
     
       7. An electronic component feeding apparatus for an electronic component mounting machine, comprising a supply table divided into a plurality of tables having several types of electronic components mounted thereon, a drive means for moving each table on the same straight line separately and for placing each table at a predetermined position on said line which is opposed to a transfer mechanism in response to a command from a control unit, the tranfer mechanism conveying said electronic components from said tables to a board placed on an X-Y table and mounting said components on said board, the X-Y table fixing and stopping the board at a predetermined position, and a board transport section for transporting said board on said X-Y table and delivering the board having the electronic components mounted thereon. .Iadd.8. An electronic component mounting machine comprising: a plurality of feeding table means for accommodating several types of electronic components;   transfer means for transferring said electronic components from the feeding table means to a predetermined position and mounting the electronic components at a predetermined position on a component receiving means; and   means for individually moving said table means and stopping the table means at a predetermined position with respect to said transfer means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. An electronic component mounting machine comprising:   a plurality of feeding table means separately movable between a feeding position for enabling a feeding of the electronic components and a loading position for enabling a loading of the electronic components on the feeding table means; and   means for conveying said electronic components from said feeding table means in the feeding position to a predetermined position and mounting the components on a component receiving means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. An electronic component mounting machine comprising a component feeding apparatus including a plurality of table means laterally reciprocably mounted on a base for accommodating a plurality of types of electronic components, said feeding table means being adapted to be stopped at a predetermined position for continuously feeding said electronic components,   a transfer means for conveying said electronic components from said feeding table means to a board and mounting the electronic components at predetermined positions on said board, and   drive means for separately moving and positioning said plurality of table means to a predetermined position in an opposed relationship with the transfer means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. An electronic component mounting machine comprising:   a component feeding apparatus including a plurality of feeding table means for accommodating several types of electronic components, said feeding table means being laterally reciprocably mounted on a base and being adapted to be stopped at a predetermined position for continuously feeding said electronic components,   a transfer means for conveying said electronic components from said feeding table means to a board and mounting said electronic components at predetermined positions on said board, and   drive means for individually and separately moving and positioning said table means to a predetermined position in an opposed relationship with respect to the transfer means in response to a command signal. .Iaddend.