Coating apparatus for bodies of electrical components having axial leads

Abstract

Apparatus for applying film coatings of material to electrical component bodies having axial leads includes adhesive tape for supporting the components in spaced relationship. A supply reel carries a supported plurality of such components. A shaft has a circumferential row of transversely oriented pockets for receiving component bodies whereby their leads are parallel. The shaft is oriented with respect to a lower reservoir providing liquid polyurethane, so that, as it rotates, sequential pockets pass through the liquid material, retaining menisci thereof therewithin. As the component bodies are received by the menisci retained pockets, underside portions of the components are coated with liquid material. A brush applies liquid material from a upper reservoir to upper portions of the carried bodies. The brush smooths the upper portions to avoid formation of globs or blobs thereon. A pair of thick tapes, provided by reels, are coupled to the axial leads whose associated bodies have been coated and applied with liquid material. A take up reel carries the supported electrical components whose bodies have been coated together with a pair of thick tapes. A motor drives a take up reel. The tapes are of sufficient thickness that components on each wrap on the take up reel are physically separated from each other. The material can be polyurethane. The pockets can be hemispherical or hemicylindrical in shape. Adhesive tape can consist essentially of polypropylene.