Quadruple pick and place head construction

摘要

A pick and place quadruple head construction for transferring as many as four small workpieces such as computer chips and the like simultaneously from a first matrix to a second matrix. The four individual head units are arranged to form a rectangular area which may be contracted or enlarged upon moving three of the units relative to each other along two mutually perpendicular axes. Each unit includes a reciprocable spindle capable of movement along a third axis, and rotatable about the third axis in repeatable cyclic manner. The spindles include vacuum means for picking up and releasing transferred workpieces. Also disclosed is a wear compensating structure for the spindle. In several of the disclosed embodiments, the head units are arranged such that the reciprocating spindles are located in a common vertical plane so that the articles deposited on the place matrix permit an in-line separation.