Cartridge feed system for automatic PCB loading machine

Claim 1

A part feeder (29) for moving individual parts (34,100) from a roll (21) containing a plurality of parts (34,100) formed of a component plus leads (35,36,100a) and joined by at least one tape (37,101) said parts (34,100) secured to said at least one tape (37,101) at a spaced distance therebetween, said parts (34,100) positioned by said part feeder (29) to be picked up and thereafter moved to a work station for insertion of a portion (35,36,100a) of the part (34,100) into a receiving opening (27) in a workpiece (26), said part feeder (29) comprising: a table (32) adapted to support at least one part feeder (29), a cassette (30) adapted to be detachably secured to said table (32) including a housing portion (30a) and a single reel (38) received in said housing portion (30a), means rotatably holding the reel to allow a tape roll (21) placed on the reel (38) to unroll and present the parts (34,100) in single file order; said cassette (30) further including walls (85) extending away from said housing portion (30a); guide means (48,33,104) affixed to said cassette walls (85) comprising means for prepositioning the at least one tape (37) and attached parts (34,100) unwound from said roll (21); a dressing assembly (43,107) separate from said cassette including a frame (83) fixed to said table (32), and readily releasable securement means (85,86,88,89) for readily releasably securing said cassette (30) with respect tos aid frame (83); said dressing assembly (43,107) including parts advancing means (51,52,54,70,109,110,112) at least partially enclosed by said cassette walls to align said guide means (48,33,104) with said parts advancing means so as to capture parts (34,100) prepositioned by said guide means (48,33,104) with said parts advancing means and advance said parts (34,100) one at a time from said guide means, and dressing said part leads (35,36,100a) by straightening and aligning the part leads (35,36,100a) preparatory to pickup.