Transport mechanism for an automated integrated circuit handler

摘要

A transport mechanism for an automated integrated circuit handler comprises a belt having a plurality of pockets thereon. Each pocket is adapted to carry a single integrated circuit therein and is also adapted for the automatic injection or integrated circuits thereinto and ejection of integrated circuits therefrom. None of the transport functions is gravity-driven. In addition, each pocket has slots therein which allow a test apparatus access to the leads of each part for electrical testing. The belt carries the pockets sequentially past a loading station at which parts are injected, a test station at which testing takes place and at least one output location at which parts are ejected. A high throughput integrated circuit handler capable of handling 60,000 parts per hour or more can be achieved with the disclosed transport mechanism.