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.

A parts accumulating section includes a cylindrical center member; and a hose helically wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical center member, and connecting two predetermined steps of a parts production line to each other. The hose has an inner diameter dimension which enables parts to pass, in a predetermined attitude, through the hose with only a respective one of the parts disposed in the hose in the radial direction of the hose. A vibration generating section applies torsional vibrations to the parts accumulating section so that the parts are fed through the hose. The parts discharged from the upstream step are accumulated in the hose in the same order as they are handled in the upstream step. The parts are fed through the hose without generating surface damage to the parts due to their collision against each other, and are supplied to the downstream step.

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 parts accumulating section is constituted by a cylindrical center member; and a hose helically wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical center member, and connecting predetermined two steps of a parts production line to each other. The hose has an inner diameter dimension which enables parts to pass, in a predetermined attitude, through the hose with only each one of the parts disposed in the hose in the radial direction of the hose. A vibration generating section applies torsional vibrations to the parts accumulating section so that the parts are fed in the hose. The parts discharged from the upstream step are accumulated in the hose in the same order as they are handled in the upstream step. The parts are fed in the hose without generating surface damage to the parts due to their collision against each other, and are supplied to the downstream step.

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.

The invention relates to a hopper (10) for rod shaped articles (100) defining a longitudinal axis, the hopper (10) including: a chamber (20) to hold the rod shaped articles (100); a distributor device (30) to align the rod shaped articles (100) with substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the distributor device (30) including a plurality of walls (50) defining adjacent channels (40), at least one of said walls (50) including a stationary part (51) and a movable part (52) connected to the stationary part (51); and a vibrating device (70) adapted to oscillate the movable part (52) with respect to the stationary part (51).

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.

A bulk feeder includes a feeder main body, a receiving member provided on the feeder main body and formed with a receiving region configured to receive a component discharged from a component case accommodating multiple components, a track member provided to be vibratable with respect to the feeder main body and formed with a conveyance path through which the 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, and a connection member having flexibility and configured to connect between the receiving region and the conveyance path so that the multiple components flows through.

The invention relates to a hopper (10) for rod shaped articles (100) defining a longitudinal axis, the hopper (10) including: a chamber (20) to hold the rod shaped articles (100); a distributor device (30) to align the rod shaped articles (100) with substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the distributor device (30) including a plurality of walls (50) defining adjacent channels (40), at least one of said walls (50) including a stationary part (51) and a movable part (52) connected to the stationary part (51); and a vibrating device (70) adapted to oscillate the movable part (52) with respect to the stationary part (51).