Abstract A novel apparatus for feeding workpieces from a magazine to a laser beam impacting location is disclosed. The novel apparatus comprises a rotary feed means provided on its bottom surface with at least one suction opening, the feed means being planar shaped in the region of the suction opening. During rotation of the feed means, the suction opening passes by the outlet of a magazine channel in which the workpieces, such as watch stones are held, the workpiece being sucked into the suction opening and retained on the rear planar bottom surface of the feed means. Further rotation of the feed means brings the workpiece to a stripping or wiping member whereat the workpiece is removed or stripped from the feed means and accurately positioned within a V-shaped holding notch disposed diametrically opposite the magazine with the feed means bridging the gap between the magazine and the holding notch. Subsequently, the now positioned workpiece is acted upon and perforated by means of laser pulses and then is removed from the notch. The feed means continuously rotates and thus, the transport operation proceeds smoothly, free of the deleterious effects of prior art oscillatory feeding operations.
In an installation for transporting workpieces from an outlet channel of a workpiece magazine to a laser beam impacting location, the improvement comprising: rotary feed means disposed between the outlet channel and the impacting location, said feed means being provided with at least one suction opening at a lower planar side surface thereof for removing a workpiece from the outlet channel and retaining the workpiece on said feed means; and holding means disposed at the impacting location, said holding means including stripper means cooperating with said planar surface of said feed means while said feed means rotates to remove said workpiece retained on said feed means, said holding means further including a holding notch communicating with a suction source for maintaining said removed workpiece in position for subsequent impacting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an installation for transporting workpieces from an outlet channel of a workpiece magazine to a laser beam impacting location, the improvement comprising: rotary feed means disposed between the outlet channel and the impacting location, said feed means being provided with at least one suction opening at a lower planar side surface thereof for removing a workpiece from the outlet channel and retaining the workpiece on said feed means; and holding means disposed at the impacting location, said holding means including stripper means cooperating with said planar surface of said feed means while said feed means rotates to remove said workpiece retained on said feed means, said holding means further including a holding notch communicating with a suction source for maintaining said removed workpiece in position for subsequent impacting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement defined in claim 1, wherein said feed means comprises a rotary plate having a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms, each arm incorporating of suction opening, the arcuate path of travel of said arms sweeping by the outlet channel of the workpiece magazine and said holding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement defined in claim 2, wherein the rotation of said feed means is continuous.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement defined in claim 3, wherein said holding notch is V-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement defined in claim 4, further including relay ejector means for selectively ejecting workpieces from said V-shaped notch after impacting has been effected.