Multi-row magnetic dial for the conveyance of workpieces and related method

摘要

A multi-row magnetic dial assembly that conveys work pieces, such as fasteners, includes a work piece engaging surface disposed around an outer perimeter, adjacent a first dial surface and/or adjacent a second dial surface. Multiple magnets are disposed adjacent the work piece engaging surface to exert a magnetic force on work pieces to magnetically hold them against a dial. The magnets include a first magnet and a second magnet that exert magnetic forces so that the work piece engaging surface magnetically attracts and holds first and second rows (or more) of work pieces, the first row being distal from the second row by a row separation distance. The dial can be oriented in a horizontal plane or a non-horizontal plane. Related methods of operation are also provided.

主权项

1. A dial assembly for a machine adapted to apply material to a work piece, the dial assembly comprising:
a dial including a first dial surface, a second opposing dial surface and an outer dial perimeter, the dial rotatable in a dial plane about a dial axis; a work piece engaging surface disposed at least one of around the outer dial perimeter, adjacent the first dial surface, and adjacent the second dial surface; a plurality of magnets disposed adjacent the work piece engaging surface, the plurality of magnets including a first magnet and a second magnet, the plurality of magnets placed adjacent one another in different rows, in magnetic communication with the work piece engaging surface, a first north pole of the first magnet positioned adjacent and facing a second north pole of the second magnet, with the first north pole of the first magnet and the second north pole of the second magnet disposed between a first south pole of the first magnet and the second south pole of the second magnet, wherein the plurality of magnets hold the work pieces against the dial in a first row and in a second row, the first row offset from the second row by a row separation distance along at least a portion of the first row, wherein the first magnet is joined with a first magnetic module, the first magnetic module including a first magnetic module housing, the first magnetic module housing defining a first module recess within which the first magnet is disposed, the first module recess extending toward the work piece engaging surface, the first magnetic module housing including a first magnetic member and a first non-magnetic member, the first non-magnetic member disposed between the first magnet and the work piece engaging surface, wherein the second magnet is joined with a second magnetic module, the second magnetic module including a second magnetic module housing, the second magnetic module housing defining a second module recess within which the second magnet is disposed, the second module recess extending toward the work piece engaging surface, the second magnetic module housing including a second magnetic member and a second non-magnetic member, the second non-magnetic member disposed between the second magnet and the work piece engaging surface.