Pitch slide module for effective handling of small parts

The pitch slide module from Festo quickly and effectively repositions small printed circuit boards, chips, plugs and other small parts to and from workpiece holders with different grid dimensions. When integrated in a ready-to-install handling system, it means that manufacturers of automation solutions no longer need costly and time-intensive in-house developments.

The pitch slide module takes four pushbuttons from a blister or tray and places them on a rotary table in one movement. The rotary indexing table DHTG from Festo moves the rotary table to different inspection positions. The pushbuttons are labelled with a data matrix code at these positions while the contacts undergo an electronic function check and a visual inspection using Festo's Compact Vision System SBO..-Q.

  No need for in-house developments
The pitch slide module does away with the need for in-house developments that compensate for differing grid dimensions when positioning parts from one tray to another. The multiple gripping feature of the pitch slide module means that more parts can be gripped, spread and inserted in the blisters or workpiece holders in the same unit of time. The pitch slide module is used wherever several parts need to be repositioned at once and the spacing between the products needs to be changed during the process.

  The scissor mechanism is driven by a pneumatic cylinder.
This enables two positions to be defined within which the pitch slide module can be moved back and forth. An electric drive could also be used instead of the pneumatic cylinder (greater flexibility since more than two positions are possible).

  Complete handling system
The pitch slide module is integrated in a three-dimensional gantry. In addition to loading and unloading parts and sorting rejected parts, the handling system also compensates for the different height levels and spacing distances between picking up the parts and repositioning them.

The handling system with electric and pneumatic drives, vacuum grippers and valves, offers a complete solution for the smallest of spaces. The electric axes EGC and EGSK position the scissor grippers precisely over the parts to be inspected. The individual slides in the pitch slide module DHMP with the vacuum grippers are actuated via the miniature valves MHA-1. The gripper system is equipped with stroke compensation so as not to damage the parts to be inspected. The pressure sensor SDE5-V monitors the vacuum.

  Ready-to-install handling system
Fully assembled and tested, Festo delivers the ready-to-install handling system right to the customer's system – equipped with all design data and circuit diagrams as well as a comprehensive functional and fixed-price guarantee. Manufacturers of electronics and small parts are not just buying hardware in the form of a readily connectable subsystem; they are buying a complete added-value package.

This total solution eases the burden on technical personnel, keeps design costs low, simplifies the procurement process and reduces process costs. "We want our customers to be able to install a solution and then forget about it", explains Jens-Heiko Adolph, Head of International Industry Segment Management for electronics production at Festo. www.festo.com