CHIP HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

Chip sorting devices and methods of ejecting chips from chip wells are disclosed. In some embodiments, chip sorting devices may include at least one chip ejection unit including at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of at least one channel of a chip conveying unit and a second position within the at least one channel. In additional embodiments, a chip sorting device may include a separating wheel comprising a plurality of chip wells, each chip well configured to hold a plurality of chips. In yet additional embodiments, methods of ejecting a chip from a chip well may include urging a selected chip out of the chip well with the at least one finger member and at least one wall segment of a trailing segmented wall of the chip well.

主权项

1. A chip sorting device, comprising:
a frame; a chip conveying unit comprising:
an articulated conveyor comprising a plurality of link units, a portion of the articulated conveyor defining at least one chip well configured to receive a chip therein, the at least one chip well adjacent to at least one segmented guide wall comprising a plurality of wall segments spaced upon the chip conveying unit and defining at least one channel therebetween; and at least one chip ejection unit configured to eject at least one chip outward from the at least one chip well of the chip conveying unit, the at least one chip ejection unit comprising:
at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of the at least one channel and a second position within the at least one channel.