SE2130277A1

SE2130277A1 - Feeding arrangement and system

Info

Publication number: SE2130277A1
Application number: SE2130277A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Torbjörn Blad
Original assignee: Atlas Copco Ind Technique Ab
Priority date: 2021-10-15
Filing date: 2021-10-15
Publication date: 2023-04-16
Also published as: DE112022004944T5; SE546420C2; WO2023061679A1; JP3248465U; CN222471362U

Abstract

A feeding arrangement (12) for feeding parts (22), the feeding arrangement (12) comprising an input track (38) having an input profile (80) allowing parts (22) to be conveyed in a plurality of different orientations; a receiving track (40) having a receiving profile (82) allowing parts (22) to be conveyed with fewer orientations than the input profile (80); and a diverting section (42) between the input track (38) and the receiving track (40), the diverting section (42) comprising a diverting gap (66) arranged to divert parts (22) from the input track (38) having an orientation not fitting the receiving profile (82). A system (10) comprising a tool (14) for handling the parts (22) and a feeding arrangement (12) is also provided.

Description

FEEDING ARRANGEMENT AND SYSTEM Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to a feeding arrangement. In particular, a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, and a system comprising such feeding arrangement, are provided.

Background Various types of automatic or semi automatic screw mounting applications exist. Some screw mounting applications comprise a robot carrying a tool and a sorter for orienting the screws prior to being mounted by the robot. The sorter may comprise a matrix plate that vibrates such that the screws fall into respective openings in the matrix plate to become correctly oriented. The screws that do not fall into an opening may be manually removed from the matrix plate or may fall away by gravity. The robot may then move the tool to the matrix plate for picking up a screw and then move the Such tool to a mounting position for mounting the screw. procedure is referred to as a pick and place operation. The pick and place operation may be troublesome or complicated since the robot has to be provided with information regarding which openings of the matrix plate contain correctly oriented screws. Moreover, the time between the mounting operations is prolonged when the robot has to move back and forth between a mounting position and the matrix plate therebetween.

In some mounting applications, small and short screws are used. Examples of such applications comprise mounting applications in production of mobile phones, clocks and other small devices using small screws in a large scale. Small and short screws, especially screws having a small ratio between a length of a shaft and a diameter of a head, cannot be reliably oriented with prior art sorters. The above example of a sorter comprising a matrix plate cannot reliably orient such small and short screws as desired. Many prior art sorters rely on the screw comprising a relatively long shaft that prevents the screw from being positioned incorrectly. However, this operational principle is not applicable for small and short screws.

Summary One object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved feeding arrangement for feeding parts.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, which feeding arrangement can reliably convey parts of small dimensions in a correct orientation.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, which feeding arrangement enables cycle times of an automated or semi automated application to be shortened.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, which feeding arrangement has a less complicated design.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, which feeding arrangement has a cost-efficient design and/or operation. is to which A still further object of the present disclosure provide a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, feeding arrangement solves several or all of the foregoing objects in combination.

A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a system comprising a tool and a feeding several or all of arrangement, which system solves one, the foregoing objects.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, the feeding arrangement comprising an input track having an input profile allowing parts to be conveyed in a plurality of different orientations; a receiving track having a receiving profile allowing parts to be conveyed with fewer orientations than the input profile; and a diverting section between the input track and the receiving track, the diverting section comprising a diverting gap arranged to divert parts conveyed from the input track having an orientation not fitting the receiving profile.

Since only parts that are oriented in a way that fit the receiving profile will enter the receiving track, the feeding arrangement sorts out parts oriented in a different way. Only parts positioned correctly with respect to the receiving profile are conveyed further by the receiving track. The feeding arrangement thereby functions as a sorter.

The receiving track is configured to only convey parts in one or more correct orientations. The feeding arrangement thereby enables a new part to be presented with a correct orientation in front of a tool directly after a previous part has been mounted. This enables a pick and place operation, for example performed by a robot, to be eliminated. As a consequence, cycle times can be reduced and manual efforts, such as programming of the robot, can be reduced.

The parts may be mounting parts, such as fasteners.

Examples of fasteners comprise screws, nails, bolts, nuts, washers, anchors and rivets. The parts may be of uniform size and shape. The feeding arrangement according to the present disclosure is particularly advantageous for feeding small screws, with a small ratio between e.g. shaft length and head diameter.

The input track may be configured to feed a plurality of parts in a single row. The receiving profile may have a shape allowing only parts in a single orientation to be received therein. The receiving track may be configured to feed a plurality of parts in a single row. A plurality of correctly oriented parts may thus be lined up in the receiving track.

By comprising the diverting gap arranged to divert incorrectly oriented parts, the diverting section functions as a sorting mechanism. The diverting gap may be an air gap. The feeding arrangement may be arranged such that correctly oriented parts fly one by one from and into the the input profile, over the diverting gap, receiving profile. Only parts that are correctly oriented in the air between the input track and the receiving track will enter the receiving profile.

The feeding arrangement may be arranged to feed parts along the input track with a predetermined speed. The speed should be sufficient for the parts to fly over the diverting gap and into the receiving profile when leaving the input track. The parts may be moved along the input track partly or entirely by gravity. Alternatively, or in addition, the feeding arrangement may be configured to force the parts along the input track, for example by means of pressurized air. The diverting gap may for example have a width of at least 2 mm and/or less than 20 ITIITI.

The receiving profile may be arranged to only receive parts having an orientation aligned with respect to a receiving plane comprising a receiving direction of the receiving track. The receiving track may be elongated. In this case, the receiving track comprises a longitudinal axis parallel with the receiving direction.

The receiving profile may have a shape matching each part. The receiving profile may for example be T-shaped. In this case, the T-shape may lie in a plane transverse to the receiving direction.

The diverting section may comprise a blocking structure arranged to block parts from the input track having an orientation not fitting the receiving profile. The blocking structure may be configured such that parts moving through the diverting gap with orientations not fitting the receiving profile will bump into the blocking structure and be diverted from the receiving track. In this way, the blocking structure prevents incorrectly oriented parts from jamming in the receiving track. After bumping into the blocking structure, the parts may be diverted from the diverting section at least partly by gravity.

As seen in the receiving direction, the input profile and the blocking structure may together form a shape the substantially corresponding to, or corresponding to, receiving profile. The blocking structure is however positioned downstream of the input profile.

The input track and the receiving track may be inclined relative to a horizontal direction. The parts thereby slide along the input profile and along the receiving profile partly or entirely by gravity. Due to the inclination of the input track, the parts can be provided with a predefined speed for traveling over the diverting or in gap and into the receiving profile. Alternatively, addition, the feeding arrangement may be configured to force the parts along the input track and/or the receiving track, for example by means of pressurized air. In any case, the predefined speed may be calibrated based on the type of parts and the width of the diverting gap.

Each part may comprise a shaft and a head connected to the shaft. The shaft may have a length that is less than twice, such as less than 1.5 times, such as less than, a diameter of the head.

The feeding arrangement may further comprise a downstream track and a feeding device configured to feed single parts from the receiving track to the downstream track.

The feeding device may thus be configured to feed individual parts one by one from a queue of parts in the receiving track to the downstream track. Also the downstream track may be inclined relative to the horizontal direction such that the parts can slide along the downstream track partly or entirely by gravity. the feeding arrangement Alternatively, or in addition, may be configured to force the parts along the downstream track, for example by means of pressurized air.

The feeding device may comprise a feeding seat. In this case, the feeding device may be configured to move the feeding seat from an input feeding position aligned with the receiving track to an output feeding position aligned with the downstream track. In the output feeding position, the feeding device may block the receiving track such that the parts therein are prevented from moving forward.

The feeding device may be configured to rotate the feeding seat between the input feeding position and the output feeding position. The feeding device may comprise a rotatable disc comprising the feeding seat. The feeding seat may for example be rotated 180 degrees between the input feeding position and the output feeding position.

The feeding seat may be configured to hold the part in a distinct orientation. A correct orientation of the part can thereby be maintained when the feeding device holds the part and moves from the input feeding position to the output feeding position. The feeding seat for example prevents the part from tilting therein. The feeding seat may have shape matching each part. The feeding seat may for example be T-shaped. The feeding seat may have a design corresponding to the receiving profile.

The feeding arrangement may further comprise a delivering device downstream of the receiving track. The delivering device may have a delivering seat arranged to receive a single part directly or indirectly from the receiving track. The delivering seat may have a shape matching each part. The delivering seat may for example be T-shaped. The delivering seat may have a design corresponding to the receiving profile. The delivering device may comprise a sledge. In this case, the sledge may comprise the delivering seat.

The delivering device may be configured to move the delivering seat from an input delivering position for receiving the single part to an output delivering position. The output delivering position may be aligned with a tool axis of a tool. The feeding arrangement thus enables feeding and positioning of a small-dimensioned part in a correct orientation in front of the tool, for example adjacent to an action point of the tool. The action point may be a tool bit of the tool.

The delivering seat may be arranged to receive the part from the downstream track in the input delivering position.

The feeding arrangement may further comprise a storage arranged to receive parts diverted from the diverting gap. The parts received in the storage may then be conveyed again by the input track for a retry through the diverting gap. The diverting section may be configured to divert incorrectly oriented parts to the storage by gravity. The storage may be a bulk storage for storing a plurality of randomly oriented parts. The storage may be configured to store at least 100 parts, such as at least l OOO parts, such as 20 OOO parts. In this way, manual interaction with an automated application using the feeding arrangement can be eliminated during an entire work shift.

The feeding arrangement may further comprise a supply device arranged to supply parts from the storage to the input track. The supply device may comprise a conveyor belt, such as a toothed belt.

The storage may be fixed with respect to the input track. For example, in case the feeding arrangement is carried by a robot, the storage remains fixed with respect to the input track as the robot moves the feeding arrangement.

The feeding arrangement may be composed as a single unit. The entire feeding arrangement comprising the storage and input track may for example be carried and moved by a robot.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a system comprising a tool for handling the parts and a feeding arrangement according to the first aspect. The feeding arrangement may be positioned immediately adjacent to the tool.

The tool may be a power tool. The power tool may for example be an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power tool. Alternatively, or in addition, the tool may be a tightening tool, e.g. for tightening a nut on a threaded member.

The system may further comprise a robot. The robot may comprise a robot base and a manipulator movable relative to the robot base. The manipulator may be programmable in three or more axes, such as in six or seven axes. The robot may carry the feeding arrangement and the tool, for example at a distal end of the manipulator. Thus, the entire feeding arrangement may move together with the tool.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising the feeding arrangement according to the first aspect or the system according to the second aspect, and a plurality of parts. The parts may be of any type according to the present disclosure.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a feeding arrangement comprising a receiving track, a downstream track and a feeding device configured to feed single parts from the receiving track to the downstream track. The feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect may be of any type according to the present disclosure. The feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect may however not comprise the input track and the diverting section according to the first aspect. The feeding device according to the fourth aspect may comprise a feeding device of any type according to the present disclosure.

The feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect may further comprise a feeding seat. The feeding device may be configured to move the feeding seat from an input feeding position aligned with the receiving track to an output feeding position aligned with the downstream track. The feeding device may be configured to rotate the feeding seat between the input feeding position and the output feeding position. 11 According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a feeding arrangement comprising a receiving track and a delivering device downstream of the receiving track, where the delivering device comprises a delivering seat arranged to receive a single part. The feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect may be of any type according to the present disclosure. The feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect may however not comprise the input track and the diverting section according to the first aspect. The feeding device according to the fifth aspect may comprise a delivering device of any type according to the present disclosure.

The delivering device of the feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect may be configured to move the delivering seat from an input delivering position for receiving the single part to an output delivering position aligned with a tool axis of a tool. The feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect may further comprise the downstream track as described herein. In this case, the delivering seat of the feeding arrangement of the fifth aspect may be arranged to receive the part from the downstream track in the input delivering position.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a system comprising a tool for handling the parts and a feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect. The feeding arrangement may be positioned immediately adjacent to the tool.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising the feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect, the feeding arrangement according to the 12 fifth aspect, or the system according to the second sixth aspect, and a plurality of parts. The parts may be of any type according to the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: Fig. l: schematically represents a side view of a system comprising a robot, a feeding arrangement and a tool; Fig. 2: schematically represents a perspective side view of the feeding arrangement and the tool; Fig. 3: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement; Fig. 4: schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement when a feeding device is in an input feeding position; Fig. 5: schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement; Fig. 6: schematically represents a partial cross- sectional front view of the feeding arrangement; Fig. 7: schematically represents a partial cross- sectional rear view of an input track of the feeding arrangement; Fig. 8: schematically represents a partial cross- sectional front view of a receiving track of the feeding arrangement; Fig. 9: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of a diverting section of the feeding 13 arrangement; Fig. 10: schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement when the feeding device is in an output feeding position and a delivering device is in an input and delivering position; Fig. 11: schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement when the delivering device is in an output delivering position.

Detailed Description In the following, a feeding arrangement for feeding parts, and a system comprising such feeding arrangement, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of a system 10. The system 10 comprises a feeding arrangement 12 and a tool 14. The tool 14 is here exemplified as a tightening power tool.

The system 10 of this example further comprises a robot 16. The robot 16 of this example comprises a robot base 18 and a manipulator 20 movable relative to the robot base 18. The manipulator 20 may be programmable in three or more axes. As shown in Fig. 1, the robot 16 carries both the feeding arrangement 12 and the tool 14, here at a distal end of the manipulator 20.

The system 10 is one example of an automated application for the feeding arrangement 12. The system 10 is configured to automatically mount screws 22 into a 14 horizontal surface of an object 24 by means of the tool 14. The feeding arrangement 12 of this example is held horizontally during the operation. The screws 22 constitute one of many examples of parts according to the present disclosure. The mounting of screws 22 by the tool 14 is one example of handling parts by the tool 14 according to the present disclosure.

The feeding arrangement 12 feeds screws 22 one by one to the tool 14. The robot 16 does therefore not need to perform a pick and place operation between each mounting of screws 22.

The system 10 comprises a control system 26. The control system 26 is in signal communication with the robot 16, the feeding arrangement 12 and the tool 14 and is configured to control operations thereof. The control system 26 of this example comprises a data processing device and a memory. The memory has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device causes the data processing device to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein.

Fig. 2 schematically represents a perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12 and the tool 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the feeding arrangement 12 is composed as a single unit that is carried immediately adjacent to the tool 14 by the robot 16. The feeding arrangement 12, the tool 14 and the screws 22 constitute one example of a kit of parts 28.

The tool 14 comprises a tool bit 30. The tool 14 of this example is arranged to move vertically along a tool axis 32 to mount the screws 22.

The feeding arrangement 12 of this example comprises a feeding arrangement base 34 and a tool base 36 fixed to the feeding arrangement base 34. The tool 14 is automatically fed with screws 22 from the feeding one at a time. arrangement 12, The tool 14 automatically mounts the screw 22 into the object 24.

The feeding arrangement 12 comprises an input track 38 for conveying screws 22, a receiving track 40 for conveying screws 22, and a diverting section 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the diverting section 42 is positioned between the input track 38 and the receiving track 40. The diverting section 42 comprises a blocking structure 44. The receiving track 40 is positioned downstream of the input track 38. Moreover, each of the input track 38 and the receiving track 40 is inclined relative to a horizontal direction 46. Each of the input track 38, the receiving track 40 and the diverting section 42 is fixed with respect to the feeding arrangement base 34.

The feeding arrangement l2 of this example further comprises a storage 48, here exemplified as a container open vertically upwards. Screws 22 can be loaded into the storage 48 from the open top thereof. Also the storage 48 is fixed with respect to the feeding arrangement base 34. The storage 48 contains a plurality of randomly oriented The screws 22 are screws 22, such as 20 000 screws 22. here small and short screws, for example M1x0.85 screws. 16 The feeding arrangement l2 of this example further comprises a supply device 50. The supply device 50 is configured to supply screws 22 from the storage 48 to the input track 38. The supply device 50 of this specific example comprises a continuous and toothed conveyor belt 52 driven around two pulleys 54a and 54b.

The feeding arrangement l2 of this example further comprises an air blower 56. The air blower 56 is controlled by the control system 26.

The feeding arrangement l2 of this example further comprises a downstream track 58 for conveying screws 22. The downstream track 58 is positioned downstream of the receiving track 40. As shown in Fig. 2, the downstream track 58 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction 46. The air blower 56 is used to blow a screw 22 along the downstream track 58 by pressurized air.

The feeding arrangement l2 of this example further comprises a delivering device 60. The delivering device 60 is positioned downstream of the receiving track 40. The delivering device 60 is configured to deliver screws 22, one at a time, to the tool axis 32 below the tool bit 30. The delivering device 60 of this example comprises a sledge 62. The delivering device 60 is controlled by the control system 26.

The feeding arrangement l2 of this example further comprises a feeding device 64. The feeding device 64 is configured to feed screws 22, one at a time, from the receiving track 40 to the downstream track 58.

Fig. 3 schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12. As shown in Fig. 17 3, the diverting section 42 comprises a diverting gap 66, here exemplified as an air gap, between the input track 38 and the receiving track 40. The diverting gap 66 may have a width of a few millimeters. The width of the diverting gap 66 may be determined based on the speeds of the screws 22 in the input track 38 and the type of screws 22.

Fig. 3 shows that screws 22 are lined up in a queue in the receiving track 40.

Fig. 3 further shows that the feeding device 64 is exemplified as a rotatable circular plate. The feeding device 64 is controlled to rotate by a motor 68. The motor 68 is controlled by the control system 26. In Fig. 3, the feeding device 64 is in an output feeding position 70. In the output feeding position 70, the feeding device 64 delivers a single screw 22 to the downstream track 58 while at the same time preventing screws 22 in the receiving track 40 from moving forward.

Fig. 4 schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12. The feeding device 64 comprises a feeding seat 72. In Fig. 4, the feeding device 64 is in an input feeding position 74. In the input feeding position 74, the feeding seat 72 is aligned with the receiving track 40. In the output feeding position 70 (Fig. 3), the feeding seat 72 is aligned with the downstream track 58. By rotating the feeding device 64 between the input feeding position 74 and the output feeding position 70, the feeding seat 72 is moved between the receiving track 40 and the downstream track 58. In this way, the feeding device 64 can feed screws 22 one by one from the receiving track 40 to the downstream track 58.

In this example, the feeding device 64 is rotated 180 degrees from the input feeding 18 position 74 and the output feeding position 70. The feeding seat 72 of this example is T-shaped and is thereby configured to hold the screw 22 in an unequivocal orientation during rotation of the feeding device 64. The feeding seat 72 may alternatively have another shape to hold the screw 22 in an unequivocal orientation.

Fig. 4 further shows that the delivering device 60 comprises a delivering seat 76. In Fig. 4, the delivering device 60 is in an input delivering position 78 where the delivering seat 76 is arranged to receive a single screw 22 from the downstream track 58. Also the delivering seat 76 is T-shaped in this example, but may alternatively have another shape matching the screw 22. The delivering seat 76 is here provided in the sledge 62.

Fig. 5 schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the input track 38 comprises an input profile 80 and the receiving track 40 comprises a receiving profile 82. The dimensions of the input profile 80 and the receiving profile 82 are specific for the dimensions of the screws 22. The input profile 80 is configured to allow screws 22 to be conveyed in a plurality of different orientations. The receiving profile 82 on the other hand, is configured to allow screws 22 only in a single unequivocal orientation.

The screws 22 fed from the storage 48 by the supply device 50 onto the input track 38 come sliding along the input track 38 in random orientations. In this example, the screws 22 move downwards along the input track 38 by gravity due to the inclination of the input track 38. The length and inclination of the input track 38 generate a 19 predetermined speed of the screws 22 at a downstream end of the input track 38. At the downstream end of the input track 38, the screws 22 fly out from the input track 38 and to the diverting gap 66. In the diverting gap 66, screws 22 that are not in an orientation fitting the receiving profile 82 will bump into the blocking structure 44. These screws 22 will fall back into the storage 48 by gravity. The diverting gap 66 is thus used to sort out incorrectly oriented screws 22. The screws 22 that are oriented correctly to fit the receiving profile 82 will fly one by one through the diverting gap 66 and into the receiving profile 82 where these are lined up correctly oriented in the queue. The feeding arrangement l2 is particularly advantageous for sorting and feeding small screws 22.

Fig. 5 further shows a receiving plane 84 at the receiving track 40. In this example, the receiving profile 82 is arranged to only receive screws 22 having an orientation aligned with respect to the receiving plane 84.

Fig. 6 schematically represents a partial cross-sectional front view of the feeding arrangement 12. As shown in Fig. 6, the feeding arrangement l2 of this example comprises a passage 86 for conveying screws 22 to the input track 38. When a screw 22 on the conveyor belt 52 travels over the pulley 54a, the screw 22 falls by gravity into the passage 86. In this way, the screws 22 that have been diverted to the storage 48 by the diverting section 42 are fed again to the input track 38 by the supply device 50 for a retry over the diverting gap 66.

Fig. 7 schematically represents a partial cross-sectional rear view of the input track 38. As shown in Fig. 7, the input profile 80 is open upwards allowing screws 22 to be conveyed along the input track 38 in random orientations.

Fig. 7 further shows that each screw 22 comprises a shaft 88 and a head 90 connected to the shaft 88. In this example, a length of the shaft 88 is shorter than a diameter of the head 90, here approximately 60 % of the diameter of the head 90. Each screw 22 has the same dimension and shape. Such small and short screws 22 are difficult to automatically sort with prior art solutions.

Fig. 8 schematically represents a partial cross-sectional front view of the receiving track 40. Fig. 8 shows a receiving direction 92 for the screws 22. The receiving direction 92 is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the receiving track 40. As shown in Fig. 8, the receiving profile 82 is T-shaped but may alternatively have another shape matching the screws 22. The T-shape lies in a plane transverse to the receiving direction 92. Fig. 8 further shows that the receiving plane 84 comprises the receiving direction 92. The head 90 is parallel with the receiving plane 84.

Fig. 9 schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the diverting section 42. In Fig. 9, details of the blocking structure 44 can be seen. The blocking structure 44 of this example comprises a wall arranged to block screws 22 from the input track 38 having an orientation not fitting the receiving profile 82.

The blocking structure 44 is positioned downstream of the input track 38. As seen in the receiving direction 92, 21 the input profile 80 and the blocking structure 44 jointly form a shape corresponding to the shape of the receiving profile 82 in this example (see also Fig. 7).

Fig. 10 schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12. In Fig. 10, the delivering device 60 is in the input delivering position 78. A screw 22 has been blown by the air blower 56 from the feeding seat 72 along the downstream track 58 to be received in the delivering seat 76 while maintaining the correct orientation of the screw 22.

Fig. 11 schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12. The delivering device 60 has now moved to an output delivering position 94. The movement here comprises moving the sledge 62 relative to feeding arrangement base 34. As shown in Fig. 11, the delivering seat 76 is aligned with the tool axis 32 in the output delivering position 94. The screw 22 is thereby positioned directly vertically underneath the tool 14. The tool 14 is moved down to pick up the screw 22 and is then moved up again. The delivering device 60 is retracted from the output delivering position 94 back to the input delivering position 78. The tool 14 then moves down to a mounting position to mount the screw 22 to the object 24. By retracting the delivering device 60, the tool 14 does only have to move in the vertical direction to pick up the screw 22 and to move the screw 22 to the object 24. The delivering device 60 then moves to the output delivering position 94 again with a new correctly oriented screw 22 for the tool 14. The feeding arrangement 12 thus enables a new screw 22 to be 22 presented with a correct orientation below the tool 14 directly after a previous screw 22 has been mounted. A prototype of the feeding arrangement 12 has been built by the inventor and has proven to function satisfactorily in reality.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the components may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1.A feeding arrangement (12) for feeding parts (22), the feeding arrangement (12) comprising: - an input track (38) having an input profile (80) allowing parts (22) to be conveyed in a plurality of different orientations; - a receiving track (40) having a receiving profile (82) allowing parts (22) to be conveyed with fewer orientations than the input profile (80); and - a diverting section (42) between the input track (38) and the receiving track (40), the diverting section (42) comprising a diverting gap (66) arranged to divert parts (22) conveyed from the input track (38) having an orientation not fitting the receiving profile (82). The feeding arrangement (12) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving profile (82) is arranged to only receive parts (22) having an orientation aligned with respect to a receiving plane (84) comprising a receiving direction (92) of the receiving track (40). The feeding arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving profile (82) is T-shaped. The feeding arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the diverting section (42) comprises a blocking structure (44) arranged to block parts (22) from the input track (38) having an orientation not fitting the receiving profile (82). The feeding arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the input track (38) and lO. ll.(40) (46). the receiving track are inclined relative to a horizontal direction The feeding arrangement (l2) according to any of the preceding claims, (22) (88) wherein each part (90) comprises a shaft and a head connected to the shaft (88). The feeding arrangement (l2) according to any of the preceding claims, (58) further comprising a downstream track and a feeding device (64) (22) configured to feed single parts from the receiving track (40) to the downstream track (58). (12) (64) The feeding arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the feeding device (72), comprises a feeding seat and wherein the feeding device (64) is configured to move the feeding seat (72) from an input feeding position (74) (40) aligned with the receiving track (70) to an output feeding position aligned with the downstream track (58). (12) (64) (72) The feeding arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the feeding device is configured to rotate the feeding seat (74) between the input feeding position (70). and the output feeding position The feeding arrangement (l2) according to to claim 8 or 9, wherein the feeding seat (72) is configured to hold the part (22) in a distinct orientation. The feeding arrangement (l2) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a delivering device (60) downstream of the receiving track (40), the delivering device (60) having a delivering seat (76) arranged to receive a single part (22) directly or indirectly from the receiving track (40). The feeding arrangement (12) according to claim 11, wherein the delivering device (60) (76) is configured to move the delivering seat (78) from an input delivering position (22) for receiving the single (94) (14). part to an output delivering position aligned with a tool axis (32) of a tool The feeding arrangement (12) according to claim 12, when depending on claim 7, (76) wherein the delivering seat is arranged to receive the part (22) from the downstream track (58) (78). in the input delivering position The feeding arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, (48) further comprising a storage arranged to receive parts (22) diverted from the diverting gap (66). The feeding arrangement (12) according to claim 14, further comprising a supply device (50) arranged to supply parts (22) from the storage (48) to the input track (38). The feeding arrangement (12) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the storage (48) is fixed with respect to the input track (38). The feeding arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims, (12) wherein the feeding arrangement is composed as a single unit.18. A system (10) comprising a tool (14) for handling the parts (22) and a feeding arrangement (12) according to any of the preceding claims.