A component supply device configured to output a predetermined number of components to be used in a work operation includes a fixing plate having a via-hole through which the components pass, the fixing plate being fixed to a housing, a movable plate having a storage hole penetrating through the movable plate in an up-down direction and having a size that allows the predetermined number of components to be stored, the movable plate being laminated on a top side of the fixing plate and configured to move such that the storage hole moves relative to the via-hole in a direction parallel to a top face of the fixing plate, a controller configured to control an operation of the movable plate, and an elastic member placed on a top side of the movable plate and configured to elastically deform in a direction parallel to a top face of the movable plate.

A feeder system for item feeding is presented. The feeder system may include a container having a plurality of walls, an actuator, a selector, and a chute. The container receives a plurality of items. An opening is formed in the container. The items flow through the opening towards the selector by a gravitational force. The selector singulates the plurality of items into one item. The chute receives the singulated item one at a time from the selector. The actuator is attached to the container and agitates the container to maintain a flow of the plurality of items passing through the opening.

A system for controlled distribution of components, the system including a vibrating bowl provided with an enclosure having a wall extending right around an axis of revolution of the bowl and in which the components are placed in bulk, and an articulated gripping arm provided to distribute the components to the automatic assembly installation, the vibrating bowl including an ascending helical ramp extending along an internal face of the wall between a base and an upper edge of the vibrating bowl constituting an exit of the ramp, the components being able to travel along this ramp towards a supply platform, particularly a slide, on which at least one component is arranged in advance of its seizure by the articulated gripping arm, the supply platform being connected to the exit and extending above or in the enclosure of the vibrating bowl.

A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus. The feed unit has a rotary device having a supply region (4) and one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components from the supply region (4) such that the components are stacked one on top of another within each channel (7). Each channel (7) has an inlet (5) and an outlet through which components pass for output from the feed unit. One of the inlet (5) and the supply region (4) is configured to reciprocate relative to the other to agitate the components in the supply region (4) so that components pass into the channel (7).

A device for feeding parts to a manufacturing system, the device includes a housing that with a base at a lower end of the housing and a hopper at an upper end. A double action cylinder drive is fixed to the base of the housing. An end of a piston is fixed to a drive lever in a by a hinge mechanism, and a cam follower is secured to the drive lever with the cam follower spaced apart from the piston rod. Vertically extending spaced apart guide rods are fixed to the base plate inside the housing. each guide ford provided with a linear bearing that slides along the guide rod; and A dynamic part feeding plate that is fixed to a mounting member which in turn is fixed to each of the linear bearings. The mounting member provided with a cam member having a cam profile surface that mates with the cam follower of the driver assembly drive lever to move the dynamic feeding plate vertically through the hopper of the housing along a wall of the hopper.

When a component support member is moved forward with respect to a component feeder, the component feeder is vibrated, and the components are discharged from the component feeder on a component support surface and are supported in a dispersed state. An imaging device moves in a lateral direction, images a plurality of components on the component support surface all at once, and a suction nozzle of a component holding head holds a component with a lead in a state appropriate to be held. The suction nozzle is rotated and pivoted to insert the component in a component receiving member of one of component carriers and that is positioned at a component receiving position, with the lead oriented downward. The component carrier which receives the component is moved to a component delivery position, and the component is delivered to a mounting head of an electronic circuit assembly apparatus.

A feed unit, for example for feeding components to smoking article assembly apparatus. The feed unit has a rotary device having a supply region (4) and one or more channels (7) adapted to receive components from the supply region (4) such that the components are stacked one on top of another within each channel (7). Each channel (7) has an inlet (5) and an outlet through which components pass for output from the feed unit. One of the inlet (5) and the supply region (4) is configured to reciprocate relative to the other to agitate the components in the supply region (4) so that components pass into the channel (7).

A separation device for supplying and separating workpieces has a workpiece store, a first separation disc having first separation chambers, and a supply disc having workpiece guides, wherein the first separation disc is arranged such that it can be adjusted between a receiving position and a supply position relative to the supply disc, wherein in the supply position the first separation chambers are arranged flush with the workpiece guides, and wherein the first separation chambers are designed to supply workpieces arranged in the first separation chambers to the respective workpiece guides.

Disclosed is an analyzer including an analysis unit configured to analyze a specimen; a first storage part capable of storing a container capable of containing the specimen, the first storage part including an outlet that allows the container to be discharged therethrough; a second storage part capable of storing the container having been discharged through the outlet of the first storage part; a transporter configured to send out, from the second storage part, the container stored in the second storage part; and a discharge controller capable of controlling discharge of the container through the outlet of the first storage part.

A bulk feeder includes a feeder main body, a track member provided to be vibratable with respect to the feeder main body and formed with a conveyance path through which multiple components are conveyed and a supply region that communicates with the conveyance path and opens upward to collect the multiple components, an excitation device configured to apply vibration to the track member so that the multiple components are conveyed along the conveyance path, a shutter provided above the track member to close an opening of the supply region, and a driving device configured to open or close the shutter to separate the shutter from the track member when the shutter shifts from a closed state to an open state.