U.S. patent application number 17/804585 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for configurable belt conveyor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bright Machines, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bright Machines, Inc.. Invention is credited to Arkady Nayman.
Application Number | 20220289490 17/804585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006364661 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220289490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nayman; Arkady |
September 15, 2022 |
Configurable Belt Conveyor
Abstract
A configurable belt conveyor for manufacturing comprising first
belt and an adaptable border adjacent to the belt. The adaptable
border having a first configuration in which a first width of the
belt is available for supporting a pallet on the conveyor belt, and
a second configuration in which a portion of the belt is covered by
the adaptable border, such that the second width of the belt is
sized for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB). In one
embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor may be configured to
form a dual stream conveyor.
Inventors: |
Nayman; Arkady; (Kfar Saba,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bright Machines, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bright Machines, Inc.
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000006364661 |
Appl. No.: |
17/804585 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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17062549 |
Oct 3, 2020 |
11345550 |
|
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17804585 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 2201/0267 20130101;
B65G 2207/08 20130101; B65G 21/14 20130101; B65G 15/12 20130101;
B65G 2207/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 21/14 20060101
B65G021/14; B65G 15/12 20060101 B65G015/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2019 |
IL |
271653 |
Claims
1. A configurable belt conveyor for manufacturing comprising: a
first belt and a second belt, moving in unison, forming a single
stream conveyor; an adaptable border adjacent to the first belt and
the second belt, the adaptable border having a first configuration
in which a first width of the first belt and the second belt is
available for supporting a first type of workpiece, and a second
configuration in which a second width of the first belt and the
second belt are covered by the adaptable border, such that the
second width of the first belt and the second belt are sized for
supporting a second type of workpiece.
2. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein the first
type of workpiece is a pallet, and the second type of workpiece is
a printed circuit board (PCB).
3. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein the adaptable
border comprises an anti-static low-friction material movably
coupled to an edge of the conveyor belt structure.
4. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein the adaptable
border is attached using one or more elongated screw holes, such
that when one or more screws fixing the adaptable border in the
first configuration are loosened, the adaptable border may be slid
to be in the second configuration, and vice versa, before
tightening the one or more screws.
5. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein the adaptable
border is attached using a magnetic positioner.
6. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein the adaptable
border is attached using a snap fitting.
7. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, further comprising:
an automated shifting device to shift the adaptable border
automatically between the first configuration and the second
configuration.
8. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a
positioning work station attached to the configurable belt
conveyor, the positioning work station to fix a pallet in a
position during an operation.
9. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 8, wherein the
positioning work station can be attached in a plurality of
positions along the configurable belt conveyor.
10. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 9, wherein the
configurable belt conveyor may include a plurality of positioning
work stations.
11. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, comprising: wherein
the first belt is on a fixed wall, and the second belt is on a
movable wall, such that a width of the belt conveyor is adjustable;
and a pair of ball screws to adjust the width of the belt conveyor,
wherein the pair of ball screws provide movement for the movable
wall and guide the movable wall.
12. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 1, further comprising:
wherein the belt is a self-tracking timing belt to move the first
belt and the second belt; and a clear space between the first belt
and the second belt to enable dual-sided printed circuit boards
(PCBs) on the belt.
13. A configurable belt conveyor for manufacturing comprising: a
belt; an adaptable border adjacent to the belt, the adaptable
border having a first configuration in which a first width of the
belt is available for supporting a first type of workpiece, and a
second configuration in which a portion of the belt is covered by
the adaptable border, such that the second width of the belt is
sized for supporting a second type of workpiece.
14. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 13, wherein the first
type of workpiece is a pallet, and the second type of workpiece is
a printed circuit board (PCB).
15. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 13, wherein the
adaptable border comprises an anti-static low-friction material
movably coupled to an edge of the conveyor belt structure.
16. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 13, wherein the
adaptable border is attached using one of: one or more elongated
screw holes, such that when one or more screws fixing the adaptable
border in the first configuration are loosened, the adaptable
border may be slid to be in the second configuration, and vice
versa, before tightening the one or more screws, one or more
magnetic positioners, or one or more snap fittings.
17. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 13, further comprising:
an automated shifting device to shift the adaptable border
automatically between the first configuration and the second
configuration.
18. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 13, further comprising:
one or more positioning work stations attached to the configurable
belt conveyor, the one or more positioning work stations to fix one
or more pallets in one or more positions during an operation;
wherein the positioning work station can be attached in a plurality
of positions along the configurable belt conveyor.
19. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 13, comprising: a
second belt in parallel with the belt; wherein the belt is on a
fixed wall, and the second belt is on a movable wall, such that a
width of the belt conveyor is adjustable; and a pair of ball screws
to adjust the width of the belt conveyor, wherein the pair of ball
screws provide movement for the movable wall and guide the movable
wall.
20. The configurable belt conveyor of claim 19, further comprising:
wherein the belt is a self-tracking timing belt to move the first
belt and the second belt; and a clear space between the first belt
and the second belt to enable dual-sided printed circuit boards
(PCBs) on the belt.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/062,549, filed Oct. 3, 2020, issuing as
U.S. Pat. No. 11,345,550 on May 31, 2022, which application claims
priority to Israeli Patent Application No. 271653, filed on Dec.
22, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to conveyor belts, and more
specifically to a configurable belt conveyor.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In manufacturing environments, there is often a belt
conveyor which conveys parts to a work station. In electronics and
other manufacturing industries there may be two groups of
conveyors, for example, one group for pallets and a separate group
for printed circuit boards.
[0004] Pallet conveyors must be able to support the heavy weight of
a loaded pallet, while printed circuit board conveyors must provide
precision placement, because most printed circuit boards (PCB) have
a very small area which does not have circuit components on it, and
thus can be safely used to support the PCB. In order to comply with
IPC SMEMA Council's IPC-9851 "Mechanical Equipment Interface
Standard," such conveyors must have 0.2 inch (5 mm) shoulders for
conveying PCBs, to ensure that the conveyor does not interfere with
any of the electronics on the PCB.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
configurable belt conveyor, configured for one stream.
[0007] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
configurable belt conveyor, configured for dual streams.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a top view of one embodiment of the configurable
belt conveyor configured for one stream.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a zoomed-in perspective view of the configurable
belt conveyor, configured for dual streams.
[0010] FIG. 2C is a zoomed-in top view of the configurable belt
conveyor, set for PCBs.
[0011] FIG. 2D is a zoomed-in perspective view of the configurable
belt conveyor, set for PCBs, showing an exemplary PCB.
[0012] FIG. 2E is a zoomed-in perspective view of the configurable
belt conveyor, set for pallets, showing an exemplary pallet
(empty).
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified diagrams of one embodiment of
the belt conveyor showing the adjustability of the adjustable
borders.
[0014] FIGS. 3C and 3D are simplified diagrams of one embodiment of
the belt conveyor showing two alternate configurations for work
stations along the belt conveyor.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates some exemplary adjustment mechanisms.
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5D are simplified diagrams of one embodiment of the
belt conveyor showing the width adjustability, and the multi-stream
adjustability.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of using the belt
conveyor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In a manufacturing line, typically each assembly station has
some conveying device to receive in, lock down, and send out,
products that the station is working on. In the prior art, there
were separate conveyor belts for different types of workpieces, for
example rigid pallets and PCBs, because they have different
requirements. The configurable belt conveyor described can be
reconfigured in various ways, to provide a single or dual conveyor
that is capable of being configured to handle different types of
workpieces, for example pallets or PCBs. Pallets require a conveyor
that provides a sufficiently large support area to support the
weight of the pallets. PCBs require a narrow support area to ensure
that the belts do not overlap with electronics on the PCB.
Furthermore, it is useful to have a clear space between the belts
conveying PCBs, because PCBs may have electronic components on both
sides, or elements near the edge.
[0019] A belt conveyor includes a paired set of belts, which
typically move in unison. In one embodiment, the belts are
self-tracking timing belts, which eliminates the need to guide the
belt from inside the belt conveyor area and provides full
utilization of the exposed belt area for PCBs. In one embodiment,
the self-tracking timing belt used has a guiding profile on the
back side. In one embodiment, other types of self-guided belts may
be used, which remove the need for separate guidance elements
inside the conveyor area.
[0020] For a pallet conveyor, the belt is generally 15 mm or wider,
to provide enough support area for the heavier pallet. For a PCB
conveyor, the belt is required by standard to be 5 mm or thinner,
to ensure that the conveyor belt does not damage any of the
elements attached to the PCB. The configurable belt conveyor uses a
belt that is wide enough or wider than needed for all use cases,
and an adjustable system that occludes a variable portion of the
belt width so that the belt exposes the proper width for a given
task. In this way, a conveyor belt can function with any number of
smaller belt widths. The configurable belt conveyor described can
be reconfigured to narrow the exposed area of the belt, for example
from a pallet configuration to a PCB configuration, and vice
versa.
[0021] In one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor includes
an adaptable border, which provides the edge and narrows the
exposed area of the belt for use with PCBs, to adjust the belt
width. In one embodiment, the adjusted belt width complies with the
standard for PCBs, which in one embodiment is 5 mm. The narrowing
also ensures that the PCB cannot shift its orientation or position
on the conveyor belt. In one embodiment, the adaptable border is
attached via screws, and moved manually. In one embodiment, the
adaptable border may be moved automatically. In one embodiment, the
adaptable border may be attached in another way. The purpose of the
adaptable border is to cover a portion of the belt, resulting in a
functional belt that is wide enough to support pallets or other
items to be conveyed but can be narrowed to comply with the
standard-defined width for supporting PCBs, or other standards that
utilize a narrower belt configuration.
[0022] In one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor also has a
plurality of work stations, at which a pallet or PCB may be fixed
into place. In one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor may
include multiple positions where such work stations may be placed,
such that a belt conveyor segment may be configured for one or more
work stations. In one embodiment, a belt conveyor segment may
include a single work station, or two work stations. The work
stations, in one embodiment, include clamps located beneath the
pallets to fix the pallet in place while they are in use.
[0023] In one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor may be
configured to be a single stream conveyor or a dual stream
conveyor. In one embodiment, for the dual stream configuration,
there are two fixed walls, and two adjustable walls, one for each
stream.
[0024] Thus, the configurable belt conveyor system is designed to
be adjustable to provide the right kind of conveyor for any
workpiece.
[0025] The following detailed description of embodiments of the
invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which
like references indicate similar elements, showing by way of
illustration specific embodiments of practicing the invention.
Description of these embodiments is in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. One skilled in
the art understands that other embodiments may be utilized, and
that logical, mechanical, electrical, functional and other changes
may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to
be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present
invention is defined only by the appended claims.
[0026] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
configurable belt conveyor, configured for one stream. The belt
conveyor 100 includes two belts which move in unison. The belt
conveyor shown has one fixed wall 115 and one movable wall 120. The
supports 125 along which the movable wall 120 is moved (to narrow
or widen the distance between the belts) can be seen. In one
embodiment, the movable wall 120 is moved using a manual wall mover
130. In one embodiment, the movable wall 120 is moved using
motor-driven mover 135. In this configuration, a single work
station 140 is shown. The work station 140 is a position at which a
pallet (or PCB) may be fixed while it is active or in use. In this
configuration, the system enables the use of a single pallet (or
PCB).
[0027] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
configurable belt conveyor, configured for dual streams. As can be
seen, there are two fixed walls 140, 155, and two movable walls
145, 150. Additionally, in the configuration shown, there are two
work stations 160A, 160B for each of the two streams, enabling a
total of four workpieces 165 (here pallets) to be actively utilized
in this configuration.
[0028] Note that while the illustrations show a double stream
configuration with two work stations 160, and a single steam
configuration with a single work station, the configurations may be
mixed and matched. Thus, the present configurable belt conveyor may
have between one and four active pallets (or PCBs) at any one time,
in one embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 2A is a top view of one embodiment of the configurable
belt conveyor configured for one stream. In addition to the
elements described above, this illustration shows the conveyor belt
controller 210 which controls the movement of the conveyor belts.
In one embodiment, the electronic connection 220 couples the
control systems to the belt conveyor. In one embodiment,
conventional control systems are used, and the particular controls
used are not limited. The present system may be used with any
conveyor belt system which can accept the adjustable border
elements that provide the configurability described.
[0030] In one embodiment, the wall mover 230 is used to rotate the
ball screws, that translate the rotational motion of the wall mover
230 (or motor) to the linear movement for moving the movable wall
250. While only one ball screw 240 is visible, in one embodiment,
the system uses two ball screws to ensure that the movable wall is
supported, which are both controlled by wall mover 230. In one
embodiment, the system does not include additional guides, and the
ball screws 240 provide the movement and the support for the
movable wall 250.
[0031] FIG. 2B is a zoomed-in perspective view of the configurable
belt conveyor, configured for dual streams, and configured for a
narrow conveyor. The width of the conveyors is adjusted based on
the size of the workpieces carried by the belt conveyor. The sizes
of the items carried by the conveyor belt are varied, and the width
of the conveyor belt is adjusted to accommodate those
variations.
[0032] FIG. 2C is a zoomed-in top view of the configurable belt
conveyor, set for PCBs. This shows the adjustable border 260, in
its forward setting, showing only a small portion of the belt 290.
In one embodiment, the position of the adjustable border 260 is
controlled by adjustment holes 260, which are ovoid, and provide
multiple settings. In one embodiment the settings include a PCB
setting in which the screw 270 is at the back end 280 of the ovoid
hole 265, and a pallet setting in which the screw 270 is at the
front end 285 of the ovoid hole 265. Other belt width settings may
also be used. In one embodiment, the adjustable border 260 is made
of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. In another embodiment,
another material is used. In one embodiment, the material is a low
friction, anti-static material.
[0033] FIG. 2D is a zoomed-in perspective view of the configurable
belt conveyor, set for PCBs, showing an exemplary PCB. As can be
seen, the belt is sufficiently narrow to provide support only on
the edge of the PCB 295. As can be seen, the edges of the
adjustable border 265 abut the PCB and provide stable support for
the PCB 295. The belt 290, in one embodiment is a self-tracking
timing belt. In one embodiment, the self-tracking timing belt has a
guiding profile. This feature leaves all the internal area between
the belts' internal edges clear for the PCB, as can be seen. Other
types of self-guided belts may be used. In some embodiments a
standard belt with an alignment elements in the central area may be
used.
[0034] FIG. 2E is a zoomed-in perspective view of the configurable
belt conveyor, set for pallets, showing an exemplary pallet
(empty). As can be seen, the adjustable border is in the rear
setting, where the screws are at the front end of the adjustment
holes 265. This provides a wide enough belt 290 to support the
heavier pallet 299.
[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B are simplified diagrams of the conveyor belt
showing the adjustability of the adjustable borders. The belts 310
are either not covered, or partially covered by adjustable border
330. The adjustable border 330 has two positions, in one
embodiment, forward covering the belt, or rearward, where the belt
is uncovered. In another embodiment, the adjustable border 330 may
have any number of positions. In one embodiment, the rearward
setting, shown in FIG. 3A, a small percentage of the belt 310 may
remain covered. In another embodiment, in the rearward setting, the
belt is not overlapped by the border 330.
[0036] Adjustment mechanism 335 enables the adjustment of the
adjustable border 330 between the forward and rearward settings. In
one embodiment, adjustment mechanism 335 includes oval screw holes,
and screws. Some other exemplary adjustment mechanisms 335 are
illustrated in FIG. 3E below. However, the specific adjustment
mechanism is not limited by the examples provided. In one
embodiment, the system includes an automated shifting device 345 to
shift the adaptable border automatically between
configurations.
[0037] In one embodiment, the adjustable border 330 has work
station cut-outs 340, which enable the work station to engage with
the pallet and/or PCB, to fix the workpiece in place when it is in
use. This enables the workpiece to be raised to clamp the workpiece
in place, regardless of the position of the border 330. The use of
such clamping mechanisms is known in the art.
[0038] FIGS. 3C and 3D are simplified diagrams of the conveyor belt
showing the adjustability of the positioning work stations 350. As
noted above, in one embodiment, the configurable belt conveyor
includes three potential locations for work stations 350, 360. In
one embodiment, the work stations are pneumatic-activated clamping
systems which lift a pallet a few millimeters from the conveyor
belt and stick them into the plates that are mounted on the work
station. In one embodiment, the work stations are used to clamp
PCBs to the belt. In one embodiment, for larger PCBs, the work
stations may include an additional support element within the
conveyor to provide center-rigidity to the PCB.
[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the central work station is
occupied, and the other two work stations locations are empty. In
the example shown in FIG. 3D, the two side work stations are used,
and the center work station is empty. In one embodiment, the work
stations 350 may all be occupied, with only one or two active work
stations. In another embodiment, the work stations 350 may be
present in only those positions in which they are used. Note that
while the example shows a belt conveyor with three possible work
stations, one of skill in the art would understand that the system
may include fewer or more than three work stations.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates various exemplary attachment mechanisms
that may be used with for the adjustable border. In one embodiment,
there may be various manual adjustment mechanisms, in which the
border adjustment is made manually. In one embodiment, there may be
various automatic adjustment mechanisms in which the system
automatically shifts the position of the adjustable border, using
mechanical or electronic controls. The adjustable border movement
may include linear shifting and/or rotary (tilting, swinging,
and/or rotating) movement between the two (or more) positions. The
adjustable border may alternatively be removable, such that the
border is placed onto the conveyor only while the system is
configured for narrower configurations, such as for PCB use.
[0041] In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is designed to
position the adjustable border at a minimum in a position to cover
a portion of the belt, to enable use of the conveyor with PCBs.
[0042] Some of the manual adjustment mechanism are illustrated. In
one embodiment, as noted above, the adjustment mechanism is a screw
and adjustment hole 410 which provides two positions. In another
embodiment, the adjustment mechanism uses a screw and dual screw
holes 420, in which the screws are moved between a first hole in a
forward position and a second hole in the rearward position.
[0043] The adjustment mechanism may be bolts.
[0044] The adjustment mechanism may be magnet pairs 430 in two
positions.
[0045] The adjustment mechanism may be pegs or dowels 440 which are
inserted into holes. In one embodiment, there may be two holes, one
for the forward (PCB) position and one for the rearward (pallet)
position. In one embodiment, the border may be removable, so there
is only a single hole configuration 445 for the dowel, or screw, or
other type of fastener.
[0046] The adjustment mechanism may be clips, which clip the
adjustable border in place in one of the two positions. The
adjustment mechanism may be snap fasteners 450, consisting of a
pair of interlocking elements. In one embodiment, for snap
fasteners, or other fasteners that extend from the adjustable
border, the adjustable border may include two snaps at the forward
and rearward locations, and the belt conveyor's edge may include
sunk-in areas for the additional snap such that the adjustable
border is not elevated from the edge. In one embodiment, the border
may be removable.
[0047] The attachment mechanism may be a sliding lock 460, in which
the lock travels in a slotted hole, and locks in place with a turn
of a knob. In one embodiment, in some configurations the border may
not be removable once installed but may be repositionable without
removal.
[0048] In one embodiment, the border may be hinged 470, so that the
border is tilted, rotated, or swung from one position to the
other.
[0049] Various of the described adjustment mechanisms may be
automated, such that no human intervention is needed to adjust the
adjustable border's position. For example, screws may be loosened
and tightened automatically. A mechanical element may move the
border between positions. Additionally, the adjustment mechanism
may be a movable member on the edge 480, which is moved using
electronic controls.
[0050] Other types of adjustment mechanisms may be used. In
general, the adjustable border is designed to configure a belt
conveyor from a pallet configuration to a PCB configuration.
[0051] FIGS. 5A-5D are simplified diagrams of the conveyor belt
showing the width adjustability, and the multi-stream
adjustability. As can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the fixed wall
510 remains in place, while the movable wall 520 can be positioned
anywhere along the width of the belt conveyor, anywhere between a
narrowest and a widest configuration. The width of the belt
conveyor is defined by the size of the workpiece.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the two fixed walls 530, 550
remain in place, while the adjustable walls 540, 560 may be
positioned to change between narrower wider configurations. In one
embodiment, at its widest, the movable wall 540 is positioned in
close proximity to the second fixed wall, providing sufficient
clearance for electronics and other protruding elements. In one
embodiment the two streams are configured with the same width. In
one embodiment, both of the movable walls 540, 560 are attached to
the same ball screw(s) and thus have the same amount of movement
when the screws are rotated. Moreover, both streams usually deal
with the same size objects so there is no need to have different
widths.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of using the belt
conveyor. The process starts at block 610.
[0054] At block 620, the configuration data is received. The
configuration data specifies the number of streams, the type and
width of the workpieces (pallets, PCBs, etc.) that will be
conveyed, and the number of work stations.
[0055] At block 630, the movable wall(s) are adjusted to the
appropriate distance. In one embodiment, this is done manually by a
technician. In another embodiment, it may be done in an automated
manner.
[0056] At block 640, in one embodiment, the appropriate work
stations are activated. Each work station is a position at which
the workpiece (pallet or PCB) may be fixed, while it is being used
by the automated manufacturing systems.
[0057] At block 650, the adjustable border is adjusted to the
workpiece size, based on the configuration data received. In one
embodiment, this is done manually by a technician. In another
embodiment, it may be done in an automated manner.
[0058] The configuration is then complete.
[0059] In use, the workpiece is placed on the conveyor belt. The
conveyor belt advances to the work station, at block 660. The
workpiece is stopped at the work station. In one embodiment, the
workpiece may be stopped by the conveyor belts stopping. In one
embodiment, the workpiece may be stopped by using pop-up stoppers
(not illustrated).
[0060] At block 670, in one embodiment the workpiece is locked into
the work station. Locking in stabilizes the workpiece at the work
station, so that robotic elements can interact with the workpiece.
In one embodiment, for a pallet, the work station on the edges of
the conveyor belt raise the pallet from the conveyor belt and lock
it in place. In one embodiment, for a PCB, the work station on the
edges of the conveyor belt stabilize the PCB. In one embodiment,
for a PCB an additional stabilization element may be utilized.
[0061] At block 680, the work is done, using parts from or on the
workpiece, as is known in the art.
[0062] At block 690, the workpiece is released from the work
station. The conveyor belt then moves the workpiece from the
working location. The conveyor belt may move the workpiece forward
to another processing station. The system then returns to block
660, to advance the next workpiece to the work station. If
reconfiguration is needed, the conveyor process stops, while the
process restarts from block 620. In this way, the configurable
conveyor can be adjusted to accommodate workpieces of various
sizes, as well as various types, including pallets or PCB boards of
any size, using one or two streams.
[0063] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *