| The bulk feeder is used to line up bulk components in the
bulk case and feed them to a mounter. Various types of feeders are
offered by mounter manufacturers. Essentially, chip components are
lined up by passing them through the gate and then transferring them to
the component pick-up point on the mounter. Typical bulk feeders are
classified into three types based on how the components are lined up:
air type, hopper type, or rotating drum type. |
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 Air type |
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Each chip
component drops through the gate using gravity. A chip component
bridging the gate or its vicinity is released by an intermittent blast
of air.
This type of feeder is used in chip mounters dedicated for bulk feeding
systems (multi-mounters), for middle/low-speed chip mounters, and
module-type chip mounters.
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| Hopper type |
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Each chip
component drops through the gate using gravity. A chip component
bridging the gate or its vicinity is released by movement of the moving
part. The moving part is shaped like a hopper to guide chip components
toward the gate.
This type of feeder is used in chip mounters for bulk feeding systems
(multi-mounters) and for high-speed chip mounters.
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| Rotating drum type |
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Chip components
are placed into a cylindrical container. Via grooves, claws, and
magnets arranged along the inside surface of the container, the
components are guided along the surface toward the gate. Because chip
components are guided to the gate without depending on gravity, they
are prevented from bridging the gate.
This type of feeder is used in high-speed chip mounters and module-type
chip mounters.
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