Apparatus and method for aligning parts

摘要

There is disclosed a part-aligning apparatus that is simple in structure, less damages chip parts, and operates well even if its chip discharge passage is clogged or overflows. The apparatus has a part-holding chamber for accommodating a number of chip parts. An arc-shaped chute groove is formed in the inner surface of the bottom of the part-holding chamber to orient the chip parts in a given direction and to guide the sliding chips. A gate port is formed at the lower end of the chute groove to pass the sliding chip parts one by one. The discharge passage is formed tangent to the chute groove to align the passed chip parts in a row and to deliver them. Claw portions for removing clogging are formed on the inner surface of a rotary drum that forms the part-holding chamber. The claw portions urge any chip part halted in the gate port in an abnormal posture toward an opposite direction different from the direction in which the chips are delivered.