Block-alloy separator and method

Abstract

A workpiece separator system including a gripper, a heat source in thermal communication with the gripper, the heat source configured to heat a block of the workpiece causing separation of an alloy puck from the block. A method for separating alloy from a block of a workpiece including heating the block, heating the alloy through the block, melting a thin interface between the block and the alloy, and removing from the block substantially all of the alloy as an alloy puck.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A workpiece separator system comprising:
 a gripper;   a heat source in thermal communication with the gripper, the heat source configured to heat a block of the workpiece causing separation of an alloy puck from the block.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gripper includes a jaw. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the jaw includes the heat source therein. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat source is inductive. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat source is resistive. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further including a displacement mechanism configured to displace the gripped workpiece. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the displacement mechanism is a turret. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further including a catch platform. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further including a discharger configured to eject the block from the gripper. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  further including a lens surface protection tape detector. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the detector is a conductivity detector. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the detector is an optical detector. 
     
     
         13 . A method for separating alloy from a block of a workpiece comprising:
 heating the block;   heating the alloy through the block;   melting a thin interface between the block and the alloy; and   removing from the block substantially all of the alloy as an alloy puck.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising transporting the workpiece to a gripper in a displacement mechanism, the heating being while moving the workpiece in the displacement mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising transporting the workpiece to a gripper in a displacement mechanism, the heating being while the workpiece is stationary in the displacement mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising disposing the block into a cartridge, onto a guide rod or both on a guide rod and in a cartridge. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising detecting lens protection tape on the alloy puck and if detected, depositing the alloy puck with tape in a separate bin from a bin into which alloy pucks without tape are deposited. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the heating is by induction. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the heating is by resistance. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the heating is imparted to the block by one or more of conduction, convection and radiance.