HANDLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING WORK PIECES FROM TRAYS

摘要

ABSTRACTAn apparatus (10) and method for presenting trays from a first plurality of stacked trays (15) to a pick and place device (12) for loading and unloading work pieces to or from the trays, and subsequently restacking the trays at a second plurality of stacked trays (22) , the device comprising a frame defining a tray loading zone (14 receivingly engaging the first plurality of stacked trays (15) a tray unloading zone (20) different from the tray loading zone (14) receivingly engaging the trays for stacking with the second plurality of stacked trays (22) and a handling zone (30) between the loading (14) and unloading (20) zones operatively presenting the singulated trays to the pick and place device (12), a singulating device (36) in the tray loading zone adapted for separating the trays from the first plurality of stacked trays (15), a stacking device in the tray unloading zone (20) adapted to join the trays with the second plurality of stacked trays (22) and a shuttle (68) adapted for simultaneously moving one of the trays from the tray loading zone (14) to the work zone (30) while moving another of the trays from the work zone (30) to the tray unloading zone (20).